Private Messages Friends Invite My Jobs My Properties My Profile My Tips

Laos Expat Forum

Advice on living temporarily in Laos with young kids

Post New Topic

Veomani

2/24/2015 16:40 EST

Hi all,

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to Laos for a year. I was born in Laos but grew up in the US and it has been a dream of mine to live in Laos for an extended period of time. My husband is Dutch and we have three small children.

I have lots of questions but the main ones are:

-How can we arrange an extended stay visa for a year? If it's not possible, what is the common route and what are the costs involved?

-Which city is preferable with regards to children, Vientiane or Luang Prabang?

-Are there websites that have current housing rental listings?

-What is the estimated budget for living comfortably in Laos (inclusive of rent, food, transport, utilities, wifi, etc..).

If you have any other interesting and important information about moving to Laos, please share! We are seriously thinking of doing this and we're reaching the point of either now or never! We thought about the possibilty of Bali, Singapore and Thailand as well but because Laos is where my roots are, it was the highest place on my list. I hope complications won't prevent us from going there. Thanks in advance for all your help!

Post a Reply

00 Report abuse abuse

stumpy

2/26/2015 06:19 EST

No such thing as a long term visa. 30 day single entry tourist visa on arrival $30. Can be renewed a further 2 times at immigration offices at $60 per month. Then you have to leave the country and come back in again and repeat the above processes. For cost of living www.numbeo.com. It is not that cheap to live here any more. For rentals just Google real estate Laos. I do not know if children can attend schools if on tourist visa. I suggest that you do some serious online research before heading this way. Visa types are very limited here in Laos. Visa information can be found online. I am married in Laos, have wife and 3 kids there and have to go through the visa route I mentioned previously. I would advise you look at Thailand as they have more visa choices, it is close to Laos and is cheaper to live there. Vientiane is where most expats live as it has all the international schools and company headquarters there. You cannot open a bank account there unless you have a work permit or a business visa.

Post a Reply

00 You are reporting this! abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

Learn More Get a Quote

stumpy

2/26/2015 22:48 EST

Cannot find any information about children attending schools whilst on tourist visas so I suggest that you Google international schools vientiane and contact them. Tty Kiettisak International School, Vientiane International School, Panyathip International school.

Still say Thailand is better plan for you. Your husband will find it extremely difficult to get a job unless he can getting a teaching degree.

Post a Reply

00 You are reporting this! abuse

stumpy

2/26/2015 22:48 EST

For cost of living www.numbeo.com

Post a Reply

00 You are reporting this! abuse

Expatriate Health Insurance Get a quote for expat health insurance in Laos.	Mail Forwarding to Laos Mail Forwarding to Laos.
Expat Tax Expat Tax Preparation, Expat Tax Professionals	International Moving Companies Moving to Laos? Find a moving company.