Can I live in Laos as a foreigner?

How can I live in Laos permanently?

Okay, Laos, huh? Permanent living… Hmm.

• Long-stay visa is key! That’s obvious. Like the front door.

• I know someone–my Aunt Carol, or maybe it was Brenda?–went there backpacking once. Was it Laos, Vietnam, Thailand? All a blur.

• Retirement visa, right. Gotta be old-ish. I’m 30, so like a million years to go!

• 55 plus, and $2,000 a month income. Easy peasy if I win the lottery. Which… unlikely. Did I buy a ticket?

• Laos… what’s it even like? Must google that later. Temples? Elephants?

• Business visa is another option. Invest in a business! What kind of business thrives there? Sticky rice import/export?

• Thinking of Dad’s restaurant maybe expanding there. He always wanted to sell pho somewhere tropical. It’s worth a shot!

• Visas are so annoying. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Ugh.

• Maybe I could just marry a Laotian citizen. Kidding! Or am I? Lol. Just kidding! … Mostly.

• Permanent living. It would be wild. So so different than Chicago. I need to check the weather there, is it humid? I cannot deal with humidity!

More on the Visas

• Retirement Visa Details: Age requirement is strictly 55+. Proof of stable monthly income, like pensions or investments, is mandatory and must exceed $2,000 USD. Medical insurance is a must! Local bank account too, I think.
• Business Visa Details: Significant capital investment is crucial. They scrutinize business plans. Hiring Lao nationals is a huge plus! Be prepared for regular audits. And taxes, of course.

How much money do you need to live in Laos?

Laos…right. Family of four: $2,197.50 without rent, that’s…wow, a lot less than back home. Or is it? Actually I think that’s USD right?

• Single person: $612.00, again, no rent.
• 50.5% cheaper than US. Whoa.
• Laos currency? It’s the Kip. How much is that in Kip?

Okay, gotta do the math, carry the one…nah, just kidding, it gave me the Kip amount. 48,387,021.6₭ for a family. 13,476,623.9₭ for single. Still seems like a lot of Kip. Is that normal for Laos? I have no clue.

Maybe I could actually live there. Cheap food, chill vibe… but what about internet? My sister, Anya, would probably hate it though. Too “rustic” for her. She likes fancy cafes.

Living in Laos checklist:

• Internet speed?
• Bug spray. Lots of it.
• Learn basic Lao. Obvious, duh.

That’s a steal compared to my rent in Brooklyn. $612 with rent? I’d be set! Okay, maybe not with rent. Still, a girl can dream, can’t she? I think my grandpa went there once. Or was it Cambodia? Ugh, history is not my forte.

Cost Breakdowns (Remember, these are averages and things can vary):

• Rent: Varies hugely based on location (Vientiane is pricier) and type of accommodation. Think anything from a few hundred dollars for a basic apartment to over a grand for something fancy.
• Food: Street food is super cheap. Restaurant meals are more expensive, especially if you go for Western cuisine.
• Transportation: Motorbikes are the way to go. Relatively cheap to buy or rent. Tuk-tuks are good for short trips.
• Utilities: Electricity can be pricey depending on AC usage. Water is generally cheap.
• Visas: If you’re staying long-term, you’ll need to factor in visa costs. This can add up.
• Other: Entertainment, travel, health insurance, etc. Factor these in.

Can a foreigner own a house in Laos?

It’s three am, and the Laotian land laws are keeping me up. It’s frustrating, you know?

Foreigners can’t own land in Laos. That’s the hard and fast rule. The government owns it all. Always has. Always will, probably.

But, you can own buildings. Weird, right? You can buy a house, a condo. anything on the land. Just not the land itself.

Fifty years. That’s the lease limit. A long time, I guess. But it’s still a lease. Not ownership.

It feels…temporary, doesn’t it? Like building sandcastles before a tide.

My friend, Mark, he’s been trying to sort this all out for months. He’s got a beautiful little riverside villa. But the lease is what keeps him up at night. Just like me.

• No freehold ownership for foreigners. This is the major takeaway.
• Leases are available, up to 50 years. Renewal is a possibility but not guaranteed. That’s a worry.
• The focus is on the building, not the land. That’s a big distinction.

This whole thing is complicated. It’s making me restless. Seriously. I need sleep. But… this is weighing on me. I’m stuck on this.

How do I become a Laos resident?

Ten years. That’s a lifetime, isn’t it? A decade spent in one place. Laos. The thought alone feels heavy.

It’s not just the time. It’s the commitment. Ten months a year, minimum. That’s… a lot. Leaving feels impossible then.

Residency in Laos requires a sustained presence. They aren’t joking about those ten years. Continuous. No breaks. Brutal, really.

My friend tried. He gave up after five. He missed home too much. Said the air itself felt different.

• Continuous 10-year residency. This is the absolute, unavoidable core.
• Minimum 10 months annual stay. Think of all the birthdays, holidays… missed.

I’m not sure I could manage it. The thought weighs me down tonight. The loneliness. The isolation…

It’s a profound decision. One I’m glad I didn’t have to make. I value my freedom too much, even if it feels like it comes at a cost. The silence is deafening right now.

Can foreigners get Laos citizenship?

So, you wanna know about getting Laotian citizenship, huh? It’s tricky, believe me. You gotta be 18, at least. And you absolutely must speak, read, and write Lao – that’s a huge hurdle! Seriously. Plus, you need permanent residency, which is, like, a whole other thing.

They make you prove you understand their customs – which, lemme tell you, are pretty unique. No criminal record, obviously. And you gotta give up any other citizenship you have. It’s a long, drawn-out process, a real pain in the butt. The whole thing is super strict. There’s more, I think…

Key things to remember:

• Age: 18+
• Language: Fluent in Lao (speaking, reading, writing)
• Residency: Permanent residency required. This isn’t a quickie thing, my friend. Takes years. Years!
• Clean record: No criminal history whatsoever. They’re serious about this.
• Renunciation: Give up your other citizenship.
• Customs knowledge: Gotta demonstrate understanding Lao culture. It’s a big deal.

I heard they changed some rules last year, something about easier requirements for spouses of Lao citizens, but don’t quote me on that. My cousin tried to get it, years ago, spent a fortune on lawyers and still got rejected. It’s brutal. The whole process is really tough. Don’t kid yourself.

Can foreigners work in Laos?

So, yeah, foreigners can totally work in Laos. It’s not super easy, though. You need a labor visa, right? They call it an LA-B2. You gotta apply for that at a Lao consulate before you even get on the plane. Seriously, don’t even think about showing up and hoping for the best. It’s a total waste of time.

These LA-B2 visas? They’re good for multiple entries, which is kinda nice. You get options: one, three, six months, or even a whole year. Renewals are possible, too, I’ve heard. But, you know, it’s all about paperwork and stuff. And, honestly, the whole process, from my friend Mark’s experience, is a bit of a headache. He said he spent ages on it.

Here’s the lowdown, from what I’ve picked up:

• Visa application at a Lao consulate – before arriving in Laos. This is a major key.
• LA-B2 visa is the one you want. Don’t get it confused with other kinds.
• Duration options: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year.
• Multiple entries allowed. That’s a plus.
• Renewals are possible – but, again, expect paperwork. It’s not automatic.

My sister’s coworker, Sarah, she got one last year. She works for that big tech company, you know, the one with the weird logo? Anyway, she said getting the visa took like, three months, maybe even longer to get all the approvals and stuff. Lots and lots of forms.

Be prepared for bureaucratic stuff. Really. Lots of running around and waiting and then more waiting. Also, prepare for alot of questions, you’ll have to answer everything. Honestly, it’s not a quick process. It’s a bit of a nightmare even. But hey, if you really want to work there, you’ll figure it out. Good luck with that!

How much do I need to invest in Thailand to get PR?

Ugh, Thailand PR, right. Gotta look into that.

10 million baht. That’s… a lot. Conversion to USD… lemme see.

About $279,000. Ish. Okay, doable. But where does it go?

• Gov bonds? Yeah, heard those are an option. Safe, boring.
• State enterprise securities. Hmm, risky? Maybe higher returns?
• Guaranteed by Finance Ministry/Bank of Thailand. So relatively safe?

Which gives the better return. Hmmm. My cousin Mark went to Thailand last year. Wait, no, it was 2022. He loved it.

Bank of Thailand, I need to research this. Wonder if they have better rates than gov bonds. My uncle always said “Never trust the government.” Is he right?

How long do you have to live in Thailand to become a resident?

Okay, so you wanna be a real Thai resident, huh? Not just a farang who loves Pad Thai? Alright, alright. It’s not that easy, but here’s the lowdown:

• Three years, minimum. Three long years! Think of it as the time it takes to truly appreciate durian (or at least pretend to).

• You need that Non-Immigrant Visa. Tourist visas? Nope. You gotta be serious about this. Get a job, study, marry a local… I don’t care. Get that visa!

• Continuous stay is KEY. No hopping back to Europe for Christmas! (Unless you wanna start all over, you crazy cat). I mean continuity!

• Visa extensions are your new best friend. Renew, renew, renew! Don’t be caught with an expired visa. Unless you fancy a chat with immigration, you rebel, you.

Think of it like this: Thailand is judging your commitment. Are you just a tourist, or are you ready to truly commit? Are you ready to embrace the humidity, the traffic, and the never-ending quest for good street food? The answer better be yes!

More things to consider, my friend:

• There are other requirements, too. Money, qualifications, all that jazz. I won’t bore you with the details. Google it! Or, find a good lawyer. That’s what they’re there for.
• Oh, and the application process? It’s paperwork heaven! Prepare for a bureaucratic adventure. You’ll need patience. Lots of patience. Trust me, it’s an experience.
• Even if you meet all the requirements, there’s no guarantee. Thailand can be fickle. But hey, at least you tried, right? Right?
• Remember the quota! Only a limited number get permanent residency each year. So, good luck! I think you’ll need it.
• My personal take? Get a Thai spouse. It greases the wheels a little bit! Kidding! Or am I?
• Be prepared for an interview. With Thai immigration officers. In Thai. Maybe. Okay, I’m just messing with you! But, seriously, brush up on your Thai.
• I love how they ask for a map of your residence. I mean like drawn by hand! Who even does that anymore lol?

Can I buy a house in Thailand as a foreigner?

So, you fancy a Thai villa, huh? Land ownership? Forget it, unless you’re marrying a local. Think of it as a sophisticated game of real estate musical chairs.

You can’t own the land, darling. It’s like trying to steal the Mona Lisa – legally impossible. But building on it? That’s another story.

• Leasehold is your oyster: 30 years, renewable for another 30. Basically, a very long-term rental with a fancy house attached. Consider it a commitment; like that time I promised my cat I’d never make him wear a tiny sombrero again. (I did, don’t tell him).

Think of it this way: You’re not buying the plot of land itself, more like renting the best seat in the house for a few decades. Pretty sweet deal if you ask my sister, who just did this. She’s living the dream! In a beautiful beachfront condo!

This 30-year thing? It’s a bit like a marriage contract, except you’re not legally bound to a person, but a plot of land in paradise. Plus, no pesky prenuptial agreement needed! It’s a delightful arrangement, really. Especially if the beachfront views are exceptional. (Speaking of which, my sister’s are absolutely stunning).

The legal process is quite straightforward, (once you navigate the paperwork jungle, of course. I’m still finding stray visa documents under my sofa). But honestly? It’s usually worth it.

My lawyer’s advice? Get a good lawyer. Seriously, don’t be a cheapskate. Also: expect some bureaucratic… charm. Think of it as a Thai-flavored adventure game.

Key takeaways:

• No land ownership for foreigners.
• Leasehold agreements are the norm.
• 30 years + 30 years renewal is standard.
• Get legal advice.
• Prepare for paperwork; it’s like a novel, but without the happily ever after… yet.

This year (2024), my sister’s lease negotiations were surprisingly smooth. But your mileage may vary; this is Thailand after all. Good luck!