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 yesterday 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,” he told Vientiane Times.
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 Laos 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.
Is about time to building the country is the time to open the eyes to see the world!!let's go working together all laotian!
Do you have $500,000??? For me, I don't even have $500 in the bank. I guess the dream of going back to live in Laos is very slim for me.
don't worry brother seeharhed as long as you really would like to visit hometown or stay over there in the rest of your life, i think you can be happy without $$ and there are opportunities to work and earn $$ in laos as well..
Hey....That's very xciting news 4me. Thanks 4 the PM & 4 the Gov't in Lao to consider that option. Lao, Lao, Lao,Lao Nork or Nai, that does not matter anymore bros. It's time to joy hand in developing our motherland. Look around us and see the neighboring countries, they all moving forward. We certainly don't want to get stuck bhind. Even my kids who have born here are xciting about the news. Great job Lao!!.
this is a great policy if ti goes through. haha this also reminds me of another earlier article that said the same thing but this time they were more specific in their vocabulary.
"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."
maybe this time their wont be any mistakes or controversy regarding ex patriots coming back and helping our home land develop into the future. if any one knows what i am talking about.
putting that aside this would be a wonderful policy,
Anonymous wrote:One more thing they need to do to eliminate Visa fee!!! This will attract a thousand thousand Lao oversea will go to visit motherland every month. $$$$$ will pour into Laos.
Lao expatriates may get long stay visit 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 yesterday 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,” he told Vientiane Times.
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 Laos 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.
That's good news i totally support government for this policy, please make it happen lao people all over the world will united, come back to build our motherland and $$$$$ will bring in. Proud of our PM.Thanks a lot. lao in san marcos.
Is there any guarantee from the top government if we invest in Laos by the foreigner (lao nork)? or still under the table from the lower bureaucrate to the top bureaucrate? any contract to be sign from the top government? ? if we were the lao nork that was born in Laos. are we allow to inherite anyland or properties from where we left off?
This proposal is good for the older folks. Nine months off for the youth, healthy, able to work and making a good money; I don't think that possible. If they wanted lao nork to make a real and sincere contribution to built laos, they should 1: Allowed them the right to own the land. The mojority of lao nork will come back to laos to built the house, start a small business, a cattle ranch, fish farm, coffee plantation, rubber plantation,etc.....Now.... That what I called the real contribution to the country. 2: Allowed them to hold dual citizenship. This will pretty much guaranty the in flow of money to the motherland. Even after they're retire from work the money is still coming.....come....on that marvelous idea if i do say so myself.
This proposal is good for the older folks. Nine months off for the youth, healthy, able to work and making a good money; I don't think that possible. If they wanted lao nork to make a real and sincere contribution to built laos, they should 1: Allowed them the right to own the land. The mojority of lao nork will come back to laos to built the house, start a small business, a cattle ranch, fish farm, coffee plantation, rubber plantation,etc.....Now.... That what I called the real contribution to the country. 2: Allowed them to hold dual citizenship. This will pretty much guaranty the in flow of money to the motherland. Even after they're retire from work the money is still coming.....come....on that marvelous idea if i do say so myself.
Vientiane Laos 7/1/10 I think dual citizenship allow only age more than 60 year.
Who have a lot of money and successful persons with brain , well educated and skill workers .So there are no room for the losers and high school drop out and scrum bags .
Is there any guarantee from the top government if we invest in Laos by the foreigner (lao nork)? or still under the table from the lower bureaucrate to the top bureaucrate? any contract to be sign from the top government? ? if we were the lao nork that was born in Laos. are we allow to inherite anyland or properties from where we left off?
The properties that we left behind in Laos must be worth at least a million US dollars by now.
It's wonderful policy of the Lao government trying to reach out to all lao. It doesn't matter that you're lao nork or lao nai, Factly we're all lao ! Let's not blaming or finger pointing at one another. Forget about the past. It's new day,it's new era, it's about time for all lao either who live in Laos or abroad to love,embrace each others. We ought to join hands and walk through a blight future; doing whatever each of us can to improve our economy, infrastruction and better education for our future generation. Let's help our beloved country ( Laos) step up to the place in the world. showing them how proud the lao people are and how beautiful our motherland is.
Please dont dream too much!! Thingking about look like 1975 they tolk us exchange weapen but Communist lie....that lesson tell us.... but new generation they change need only money....nothing change ... Maybe one day You will go to prison camp again...... now high technology and you may high poliltic too.. love you but safe youself...
we are high school drop out but smatter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out and scrum bags and gang members could even balance their check books or have any credit cards and they are lucky if they could get a decent job with minimum wage so no need those scrum bags to come back to Laos it cost money to keep them in prison and feed them. Laos need only the one with money and brain.
I´m very proud to hear this news from the lao government to give this opportunity for lao oversee. 9 month visa is long enough to stay with my mom and my dad there.
thanks a lot Mr Bouasone Bouphavahn. You are the best lao PM.
I´m very proud to hear this news from the lao government to give this opportunity for lao oversee. 9 month visa is long enough to stay with my mom and my dad there.
thanks a lot Mr Bouasone Bouphavahn. You are the best lao PM.
9 month is not enough , all the European countries give us longer and no visa at all. We are Laotian why could we not be treated like the Vietnamese and Chinese who could stay longer and some illegal Vietnamese stay as long as they want and no one dare to deport them.
The government is very stick to only Lao nork but for the Chinese and Vietnamese don't even care to check their visa and their passport so they could stay as long as they want with or without visa and no one care.
Can anyone confirm if this is true? Where are these news coming from? Where are the sources? Certainly, this is not far fetch at all. Traveling and staying longer for business purposes without worrying that the visa will expire.
i m a school drop out......................and not well educated person. when well educated says, should not use persons, maybe people is better way to say.
we are high school drop out but smarter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out couldn't even balance their check books and couldn't get a decent jobs with the minimum wage so what's a waste ! Don't even know how many planets in the solar system.
we are high school drop out but smarter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out couldn't even balance their check books and couldn't get a decent jobs with the minimum wage so what's a waste ! Don't even know how many planets in the solar system.
It's called cheque book not "check book". The debates are still raging among scientists as to whether Pluto is a planet or not. According to some people Pluto is too small to be qualified as a planet.
we are high school drop out but smarter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out couldn't even balance their check books and couldn't get a decent jobs with the minimum wage so what's a waste ! Don't even know how many planets in the solar system.
It's called cheque book not "check book". The debates are still raging among scientists as to whether Pluto is a planet or not. According to some people Pluto is too small to be qualified as a planet.
Thank you , my English is very poor special spelling.
we are high school drop out but smarter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out couldn't even balance their check books and couldn't get a decent jobs with the minimum wage so what's a waste ! Don't even know how many planets in the solar system.
It's called cheque book not "check book". The debates are still raging among scientists as to whether Pluto is a planet or not. According to some people Pluto is too small to be qualified as a planet.
Thank you , my English is very poor special spelling.
My bad, you were right. If you're an American then the correct usage is "check" according Wikipedia.
we are high school drop out but smarter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out couldn't even balance their check books and couldn't get a decent jobs with the minimum wage so what's a waste ! Don't even know how many planets in the solar system.
It's called cheque book not "check book". The debates are still raging among scientists as to whether Pluto is a planet or not. According to some people Pluto is too small to be qualified as a planet.
Thank you , my English is very poor special spelling.
My bad, you were right. If you're an American then the correct usage is "check" according Wikipedia.
Hey brother I am not an American , I am Laotian 100 % could you tell from my English. English is my worst subject.
we are high school drop out but smarter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out couldn't even balance their check books and couldn't get a decent jobs with the minimum wage so what's a waste ! Don't even know how many planets in the solar system.
It's called cheque book not "check book". The debates are still raging among scientists as to whether Pluto is a planet or not. According to some people Pluto is too small to be qualified as a planet.
Thank you , my English is very poor special spelling.
My bad, you were right. If you're an American then the correct usage is "check" according Wikipedia.
Hey brother I am not an American , I am Laotian 100 % could you tell from my English. English is my worst subject.
OK. I thought you were a Lao-American. Your English is OK.
I woudl like to tell everyone each laotiane ( do not trust communist loa policy) please learn more from 1975........ please do not go back to live in Laos. They are lie...They will destoy Lao democracy oversea only....and only.... love you and safe youself... Kru laopativat..
I woudl like to tell everyone each laotiane ( do not trust communist loa policy) please learn more from 1975........ please do not go back to live in Laos. They are lie...They will destoy Lao democracy oversea only....and only.... love you and safe youself... Kru laopativat..
I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you, as long you have an American citizen and you're there a good reason you can be as safe on most part and stay away from political issue.
I woudl like to tell everyone each laotiane ( do not trust communist loa policy) please learn more from 1975........ please do not go back to live in Laos. They are lie...They will destoy Lao democracy oversea only....and only.... love you and safe youself... Kru laopativat..
Dear ai Kru,
Just let's everyone decides for him/herself, that i call democracy. You don't like how communist tells someone to do something, then you should not tell whoever to do whatever you like or love would you ?! I m a young man, don't have many experiences as you do (kru = teacher teaches students/ppl to be better in life and contribute to the society), but I can say, if you are good citizen, it doesn't matter where or what do you do, you have place to live in peace. 1/3 of my life I live in my birth motherland, Laos, 1/3 in former communist country and 1/3 in the land of opportunities, I never had or have any problem with the government rules and law. Sure if you are ajarn Sihahed, you will not happy even you live in the heaven.
I woudl like to tell everyone each laotiane ( do not trust communist loa policy) please learn more from 1975........ please do not go back to live in Laos. They are lie...They will destoy Lao democracy oversea only....and only.... love you and safe youself... Kru laopativat..
Just like China and Vietnam, Laos is a Communist country by name only. There's nothing "communal" what soever in Laos. Australia and many other European countries are more communist than Laos.
I woudl like to tell everyone each laotiane ( do not trust communist loa policy) please learn more from 1975........ please do not go back to live in Laos. They are lie...They will destoy Lao democracy oversea only....and only.... love you and safe youself... Kru laopativat..
Just like China and Vietnam, Laos is a Communist country by name only. There's nothing "communal" what soever in Laos. Australia and many other European countries are more communist than Laos.
i agree. you can't see a word " communist " in Laos
kru lao pativat.. wrote: I would like to tell everyone each line ( do not trust communist loa policy) please learn more from 1975........ please do not go back to live in Laos. They are lie...They will destroy Lao democracy oversea only....and only.... love you and safe yourself... Kru laopativat..
Just like China and Vietnam, Laos is a Communist country by name only. There's nothing "communal" what soever in Laos. Australia and many other European countries are more communist than Laos.
Very interesting that is very new to me. Really , you are serious and you are not kidding me . Australia and many other European countries are more communist than Laos. What 's a surprise ? By the way what is communism ? Australia and many other European countries their leaders and governments are elected by the people. Their leaders and their government would like to make the important decisions or changing the laws or any decision must be approved by their people by let their people vote to pass it or not. So Lao government let Lao people to vote for the president and prime minister ? Ask Lao people for the approval of any projects or allow the Lao people to give any of Lao people 's opinions before the government make any decisions and report every detail in public to the people what the government are doing and spending? Do Lao people have the human beign rigth and freedom of speech and press? Or the Lao president and prime minister are selected by the communist party members only. Do Lao people have any choice ? All the decisions are made for all Lao people by the government regardless the majority of Lao people like it or not. Do the majority of Laotian have future and hope beside being farmers and cheap labors in the street? The majority of Laotian were low educated and poor yesterday , are still low educated and poor today and also will be poor and low educated tomorrow if the government won't change the system and foreign policy and diplomatic relationship with the world community. There are only 5 countries still remain communist in the world since the Berlin wall was torn down and Soviet Union was collapsed . Why there are more countries abandoned communism and become democracy and I hope you know the answer why ?
I WANT JUST GO VISIT, NOT TO RETURN TO LAOS FOR LIVING PERMANENTLY UNTIL LAOS BECAME DEVELOP AND STRONG COUNTRY LIKE SOUTH KOREA OR THAILAND.
That is not bad idea to visit Laos and spending your money in Laos that is a winning situation for Laos . Also you could enjoy your money and have a good time and also help Lao economy in the same time. But don't wait for Laos to be strong like south Korea and Thailand if there are no Laotian to help Laos because the other nations would careless about Laos and Lao people but to take advantage .
Imagine of what 's kind of life without hope and future but farmers and maids with cheap labors without skill , the right to give the opinions without fear , the right to give the suggestions , the right to speech freely from your heart without fear , the right to have the choices to pick , choose and vote for the leaders whom the lao people could trust and are willing to sacrifice and will be capabled to get the job done .
we are high school drop out but smarter than some one who graduated from DongDok UNIVERSITY! Only the college is AMERICAN college in Laos is far more better than DONGDOK UNIVERSITY ! After they graduations from there they can get job like away but is very hard to fine job for DONGDOK!! graduated person that is funny NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!! HAHAHA!!!!
High school drop out couldn't even balance their check books and couldn't get a decent jobs with the minimum wage so what's a waste ! Don't even know how many planets in the solar system.
It's called cheque book not "check book". The debates are still raging among scientists as to whether Pluto is a planet or not. According to some people Pluto is too small to be qualified as a planet.
What is " cheque book " I only heard of check book in America