Laos digital nomad visa & residency (2026)

As of May 2026, the Lao PDR Department of Immigration lists no dedicated remote-work or digital-nomad visa category. Official visa types are tourist (LA-T), business/work (LA-B2), diplomatic, and permanent (P-B3).

Most nationalities can obtain a 30-day single-entry e-Visa (USD 50) via the official Lao eVisa portal. A single 30-day extension is available at in-country immigration offices, giving a maximum practical stay of 60 days. Technically no work is permitted on this status.

The LA-B2 business/work visa is the main longer-stay pathway. It requires a Lao-registered company sponsor (employer, or a visa-agency sponsor) and can be issued for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, renewable indefinitely. A companion Stay Permit (issued by Immigration) and Work Permit (Ministry of Labour) are required for those actually employed locally.

The amended Investment Promotion Law No. 62/NA (enacted 28 June 2024, in force 16 December 2024) grants qualifying foreign investors and their immediate families the right to reside in Laos for the duration of their investment. A citizenship-by-investment proposal (USD 1.5 million threshold) was announced in 2022 but no formal golden-visa programme has been publicly launched as of 2026.

From 1 September 2025, all foreign arrivals must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) online at least three days before entry, replacing paper arrival/departure cards. This is a procedural change and does not alter visa categories.

A Permanent Visa (P-B3) category exists in Lao immigration law but has no published public application process for standard foreign residents. Long-term foreign residents in practice continue renewing annual LA-B2 status rather than converting to permanent residency.