Country guide · Southeast Asia
Veterans in Laos
Quiet and inexpensive, but with very limited healthcare. Most expats use Thai hospitals across the Mekong.
Entry
30 days
e-visa
Retiree visa
None
Extensions or business visa
VA presence
None
FMP reimbursement
Time zone
UTC+7
Currency: kip
Entering Laos
E-visa or visa on arrival for about 30 days, extendable in-country.
Long-stay and retirement visas
- No retirement visa. Long stays rely on extensions or business visas.
VA care and benefits in Laos
No VA facility. Foreign Medical Program reimbursement.
Healthcare
Very limited. Expats cross to Udon Thani or Nong Khai in Thailand for care.
Where veterans live
- Vientiane: Capital, right across from Thailand.
- Luang Prabang: Heritage town.
Cost of living
Roughly USD 800–1,200 a month. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle. Health insurance is not included.
Money, language and time
Lao kip (LAK) · Lao · UTC+7
Buying property
No land ownership for foreigners. Leases only.
Watch out for
Unexploded ordnance in rural areas, weak healthcare, banking limits.
Veteran organizations
None found. See veteran organizations abroad.
Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.