Immigration
Entry under the 2014 Immigration Law, work permits via labour quota
The Law on Immigration and Foreigner Management 2014 governs entry and stay. Foreign employees need a work permit from the Ministry of Labour within the applicable quota, plus a stay permit. Laos participates in visa exemption arrangements with ASEAN neighbours and offers visa on arrival and e-visa to many nationalities.
Governing law
- Law on Immigration and Management of Foreigners, No. 59/NA of 2014 — Entry, stay and enforcement.
- Labour Law, No. 43/NA of 2013 — Work permit and quota provisions.
In practice
Work permits are issued by MoLSW within the sectoral foreign worker quota. Stay permits and multiple-entry visas follow from the work permit, not the reverse. Visa on arrival and e-visa are available for tourism for many nationalities. Overstay attracts a daily fine and can lead to deportation and re-entry bar. The work permit is the controlling document; arranging a long-stay visa without it does not authorise employment. Border-run visa renewal is not a substitute for a proper stay permit for anyone working in the country.