Laos long-term residence visas

The Department of Immigration describes three groups for the I-B3 long-term visa: foreigners and stateless people who come to work as labourers, with their family members; people whose contributions benefit national protection and development or who otherwise provide benefits to Laos and intend a long stay; and foreigners or stateless people in general who want a long stay in Laos.

The third group, people staying long-term on their own means, must keep money in a bank account with a bank in Laos: at least USD 20,000 for a six-month stay and at least USD 40,000 for a one-year stay. The funds must be held in Laos, not abroad. No age requirement or income source is specified, so this category is the closest Laos has to a retirement or long-stay visa.

Any foreigner who wants to stay beyond the permitted period applies to the Department of Immigration in Vientiane or a provincial immigration office before expiry, at least three days ahead. Extensions are limited to two per arrival. The fee is 20,000 kip per day plus 40,000 kip for the service and form. Foreigners whose nationality cannot obtain a visa on arrival need a passport valid for more than 180 days, a letter from the relevant legal entity or organisation, a clear address and contact, and proof of sufficient funds.

Foreigners and stateless people who have legally registered their marriage with a Lao citizen receive the SP-B3 spouse visa. The marriage must be registered under Lao law; a marriage that is not registered in Laos does not give access to this category.

The P-B3 permanent visa is issued to foreigners and stateless people who have been approved to live permanently in the Lao PDR. The Department of Immigration does not publish the criteria for that approval on its visa page, so applicants should ask the Department of Immigration directly.