Laos at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | Full: most visas suspended |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is listed for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, though most visa issuance to Lao nationals is suspended under the travel ban. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Laos right now
- Laos moved from partial to full travel-ban restrictions on January 1, 2026 (Proclamation 10998), suspending most immigrant and nonimmigrant visas with only narrow exceptions; the immediate-relative exception was removed. It was on the State Department's 75-country immigrant-visa pause that began January 21, 2026; a federal court set the pause aside on August 21, 2026, and the government's appeal was pending as of October 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Laos
Immigration waiversForgiveness for unlawful presence, past removal and other barsFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsMarriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseExtend or change statusStay longer or switch to another nonimmigrant statusAsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryRefugee/asylee familyBring your spouse and children to join you (Form I-730)
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Laos visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Laos is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Laos get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on Laos nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between Laos and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from Laos enter the green card lottery?
Laos was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Laos have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is listed for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, though most visa issuance to Lao nationals is suspended under the travel ban.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Laos?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Asia
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.