Lao Expats May Get Long-Stay Visas

The government is considering allowing people of Lao ethnicity living overseas to extend the length of a visit to Laos beyond the time normally permitted under a tourist visa, according to a senior official from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The move is part of efforts by the government to encourage native Lao who left the country during the Indochina War several decades ago to return home and take part in the development process.

Lao Overseas Relations Department Acting Director General, Mr Phonekham Inthabualy, said the department had completed a draft of the policy, hoping to submit it to government leaders for approval in the near future.

"We hope the Prime Minister will approve the policy early this year".

Mr Phonekham said the policy drafting committee would ask the government to allow Lao expatriates to stay in Laos for up to nine months on a single entry visa so they could enjoy living and doing business in their motherland.

At present, a single entry visa allows tourists to stay in Laos for only 30 days. Visitors who want to stay longer have to exit and re-enter to obtain a new visa.

Mr Phonekham said the committee had also proposed to the government that Lao expatriates have special real estate rights in Laos. But, he said, it was up to the government to decide whether to approve the policy.

Under Lao law, only Lao people can obtain land use rights while foreigners can only lease land.

The Lao National Assembly has approved a newly revised investment promotion law, which allows foreigners who invest US$500,000 in Laos to own land use rights here. The government expects to promulgate the law early this year.

Mr Phonekham said a number of special policies were being considered for Lao expatriates.

The government will make it easier for native Lao of other nationalities to marry a Lao national. At present foreigners who want to marry a Lao national have to obtain a large number of documents.

Lao expatriates engaged in business will be eligible for tax reductions when they invest in or run a business in Laos , he said.

Mr Phonekham said the committee's proposal was in accordance with the recommendations of Lao expatriates so they would find the policy attractive. Many native born Lao want to return to Laos because they feel comfortable here and have parents, aunts and uncles living in Laos.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates, there are about 600,000 native born Lao living overseas.

Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh made a strong commitment to representatives of Lao expatriates who visited Laos for the 25th SEA Games that the government would consider and approve the policy.

He said the Lao government did not consider history to be the basis of rules for development, adding that native born Lao, wherever they are, should join hands to develop the motherland.

Officials said the government had opened up Laos to the world and now needed the united forces of Lao people all around the world to develop the nation.

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