HELLO, I LIVE IN VANCOUVER , WA. AND AM ALSO THINKING OF MOVING TO LAOS NEXT SUMMER. I HAVE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD BUT ONLY VISITED. I HAVE DATED A COUPLE OF LAOS GIRLS IN SEATTLE AND FOUND THEM TO BE THE BEST. IF YOU FIND OUT ANY INFORMATION PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL DO THE SAME. FRANK

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Hello Everyone. I am interested to know how to live in Laos long term. There is very little information on the web about visas other than the 30 day tourist visa.
Does anybody know a site with current information?
I am hoping to move there during 2007. Sites for any type of jobs arevery scarce on the web. What about as a retiree is it easier to obtain some type of long term visa.
I really appreciate any information, Thanks

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Hi agypsyquokka.

The only way to get a long term visa is working for a company there, or participating on a volunteering program through an ngo.
Three years ago when I lived there I heard that contacting the right people you could "pay" a company to get you a business visa. about 600 USD/1 year.

I have no idea about retiree visas or any web site with info. Try the nearst Lao embassy.

I hope this helps.

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I've been living in Laos for 2 months after moving here from Thailand. I was able to get a 1 year Business Visa through a *friend of my GF's mom*. I'm retired (don't work and don't have a business here) so I don't know what this "friend" had to do to get the visa. I didn't ask alot of questions, just handed over $500.

Another option is to start some kind of business here. The Lao government is very enthusiastic about foreign investment $'s and it's relatively easy to open a restuarant or export business. BTW, cafes and night clubs can only be opened by Lao nationals. Once your business has been approved you can apply for a one year business visa.

One thing I've found by living here for just a short time is that EVERYTHING is done here by knowing someone. Searching online for a job is useless. You gotta come here and start chatting w/ people, then chat w/ other people, then others....

How's it like living in Laos? I live in Vientiane and love it. I lived in Chaing Mai Thailand before coming here. The restuarants are great, I love living next to the Mekong river, the people are very friendly, the financial scams (which I encountered in Thailand) are much less prevelant here, and a surprising number of people here speak either French or English. The biggest drawbacks are trying to transfer $ from overseas and the dusty roads due to widespread road reconstruction around Vientiane at the moment.

That said, I'm staying!

phatmax

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phatmax
Searched the web and found this post way back from 2006. I also seriously considering moving to Laos to start a small and simple business.
It has been close to 3 years since you were there, wondering how have things gone so far?
Would be nice to hear your reply

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sorry for the delay in response - don't check the posts too often.

my (Lao) wife and now daughter stayed in Vientiane until June 2009. we then returned to the States to care for my ailing parents. we will return to Laos early 2011. after living in the States now for almost 1 year, I'm convinced that living in Laos is a better option. everything in the States is expensive, the stress level is high and the weather sucks!

although Laos doesn't have the entertainment options found in the States, Thailand beaches and BKK are just a short day away. it's great to be outside doing hobbies everyday and just relaxing w/ the extended family.

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Hi phatmax,

I plan to move to Laos long term from the USA. I would like to learn more about the school for my children, medical insurance, and job for myself. What can I/my family bring to laos. As you mention recently that you want to ship container to Laos. I hope you got taking care of. I also like to know information about shipping container to Laos, too. Any information that you can help me, that would be greatly appreciated.

Please contact me through my direct email: kabee@rainierconnect.com

Hope to talk to you soon.

Thank you in advance,

PK

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pk tellme.
There are good international schools here in Vientiane. There is the American one which is very expensive. Our 3 kids go to the Kiettisack International school which is great.

There are good clinics here but best get medical insurance by looking online. In Udon Thani Thailand, 60 klm from Vientiane there is a good hospital which also has an agreement with Lao authorities for an ambulance to cross over into Vientiane if necessary. Not cheap but the best in the area.

Work is hard to get. You cannot just rock up and expect to get a job.

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Hello-
Laos follows the Communist form of land ownership. All land belongs to the people and is controlled by the State.Foreigners are prohibited from owning land. Foreigners can lease land although generally the lease needs to be 30 years in length.The average duration of leases is not more than 30 years, but the term of the lease can be extended on a case-by-case basis. Rent is pretty cheap compare to th US dollars. You can use Google current conversion. Unless you have a bachelor's degree in engineer, education, or power plant your chance of finding a job is very slim. Good luck!

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Hi PK,
I too thinking about moving there to Laos. My parents is from Laos and I was born there. Have you thought about becoming an english teacher? In Laos the only job in demand is engineering or power plant arena.
Kanhnika

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About Hive Bar

In 2002, the number of tourists was steadily increasing in Luang Prabang but nightlife was still very limited. Already established, the owners of L’étranger decided to open the first club lounge of the town. Opened a few days before Christmas, Hive Bar was an instant success and has been ever since.

The bar stands at the foot of the sacred hill in Luang Prabang on the side of the river Nam Khan. The village is named Ban Aphay. With their neighbor L’étranger, books & tea (created by the same owners) they were the first to set up in this neighborhood and their success has made Hive Bar the heart of the cultural entertainment neighborhood of the town.

But Hive is more than just a bar. Through the years, the owners have always found creative ideas to make this venue special and renowned as the place to go at night in Luang Prabang. Recycled material installations for various parties (Halloween, Christmas, etc.…), concerts (acoustic, bands, juggling, fire shows…), and inviting people passing through to contribute to the spirit of Hive.

In 2009, a young Lao hip hop crew just started in Luang Prabang, Hive hired them through a sponsorship program to do a few shows a week to get a chance to perform in front of an audience and afford a rehearsal space. Years later, still performing 4 nights a week exclusively at Hive, the crew has become one of the best in South East Asia.

At the same time, after a year of research and planning, the Ethnik Fashion Show was launched, a presentation of traditional costumes of 22 different ethnicities with at the end a collection of modern designs inspired by tradition and craftsmanship. This show lasts 50 minute with 16 local models, 95 different costumes and gives the patrons an opportunity to eat dinner, have a drink in the back garden while experiencing a true Lao experience.

These are a few examples of the initiatives that have brought success to hive and can demonstrate the limitless promotion potential for this special venue. Potential growth is limitless for the right person person with creative ideas. Hive Bar is a turnkey project: offering trained staffs (barmen, waiters and cooks), full kitchen with wood-oven pizza and bar with beer lao draft and full cocktail menu (+ specialty cocktails and frozen drinks).

With more than 120 seats, hive offers 4 different atmospheres:

FRONT TERRACE: Under mango trees, patrons can enjoy a frozen drink sitting on a large sofas or low table stools in a quiet environment. The sound of the fountains and lower music makes this tropical setting perfect for a good conversation with friends without interruption.

BAR: Hanging around the bar while talking to the friendly staff and getting an overview of the place. This is where you can feel more like a regular than a visitor passing through. Most Lao locals (20% of the clientele) who frequent the bars usually hang around the high stools area.

INDOOR LOUNGE AREA: With comfortable sofas and cushions, large groups can sit around and stay close the action by overlooking the DJ area and dance floor.

BACK TERRACE: The bottom of the phousi hill turns itself into this magnificent tropical garden, where lush palm trees, wall-fountain, gas fire pit, and patrons can enjoy a nice dinner while watching a show or a fun night between friends. Hidden behind hive, travellers find a beautiful haven and can enjoy a rare opportunity to spend an evening in a place where everything has been thought of.



Opened from noon to curfew, and with permissions on special occasions parties. (Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s)
Unlimited growth and commercial potential.
Lease until 2021 with possibility to renew. Landlord extremely friendly and honest.
Rent prepaid until end of 2015.
Foreign Investment Official Ownership Papers 100% Foreign. Limit of 5 partners per license.


Reason For Sale: As they are having success with a webtv network in Canada, the owners find themselves unavailable to travel to Laos regularly so it is clearly the time for them to let someone else take over this adventure.

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I've been living in Laos for 10 years. My family and I moved to Canada and we now are looking to sell one of our businesses: one of the most popular bars in Laos. The investment is 130k for foreign investor status + multiple entry visa + rent paid up front until 2015.
If anyone is interested, let me know.

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Stumpy,

Sorry, I have not used this site for a while. Of course, thank you for your input/info.

There are options of medical insurance; I found one international insurance. It is expensive, $150 - $175 per person - $250 - $500 deductible. As you mention, there are other options online.

Seriously, I am still interested moving to laos some day. I need to, carefully, plan it out. In facts, I will come laos few times and talk to people before I/my family move here.

In next two/three years, two of my children will finish middle in US, in which about/equal to high school in Laos. Yet, it would be better if they finished high school in US, though.

Location wise, I would prefer living in Savannakhet area, country side 10km - 20km from city center.

I am still searching more information. If you have more inputs and don't mind sharing, please forward to me; you can forward to my direct personal email: kabee@rainierconnect.com

Thank you, Stumpy.
Please in touch,

PK

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