Foreigners in Laos able to request extensions of stay

FOREIGNERS and stateless people who cannot leave Laos at this time, because all borders are closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, can request extensions on their stay.

Some foreigners who live and work in Laos were worried they could not renew their visas because Thailand began temporarily closing all border crossing with Laos on March 21.

In Vientiane, stay-permits can now be extended directly with the Department of Immigration. In other provinces, the Provincial Headquarters of the Public Security Department will assist, said a March 21 announcement from the Department of Immigration.

The department on Wednesday said these people can extend their stay for another month. If the coronavirus situation does not normalise, they can continue t o request monthly extensions.

Foreigners and stateless persons, who do not apply for an extension and overstay the date specified by authorities will be fined $10 per day.

The Ministr y of Foreign Affairs has implemented several measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 such as suspending the issuing of visa on arrivals for all nationals, tourist visas at Lao diplomatic missions overseas and suspending the issuing eVisas.

In addition, it has suspended visa exemptions for nationals of Asean countries and nations that have separate visa exemption agreements with Laos, excluding the holders of diplomatic and official passports.

This ministry’s measures are in force from March 20 to April 20.

Laos has established diplomatic ties with 143 countries around the world and has relations with more than 130 political parties of these countries.

About 26 countries have set up embassies in Vientiane, and four have consulates here.

Laos has 40 representative diplomatic offices abroad, of which 26 are embassies, three are permanent representative offices, 11 are general consulates, and 12 honorary consulates.

Laos also has 27 international border checkpoints across the country.