Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Laos based on HIV status.
Both UNAIDS and the US Department of State report to be unaware of any HIV-related restrictions on entry to Laos.
The official website to apply for visas (Lao e-visa) has a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
While Article 12 of the Law on Immigration and Foreigner Management of the Lao PDR includes individuals who have contagious diseases in the list of criteria to prohibit entry into the country, this is limited to ‘international regulations and announcements from relevant sectors’, which do not include HIV.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
We found no further evidence of HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
Both UNAIDS and the US Department of State report to be unaware of any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay in Laos.
The Department of Immigration of Lao PDR details the different visa categories, however it does not provide a list of supporting documents. All visa applications are done through the official evisa online system and requirements vary per country of origin.
The Department of Enterprise Registration and Management provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a stay permit application for non-national workers and for non-national investors, and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Laos based on HIV status.
Both UNAIDS and the US Department of State report to be unaware of any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay in Laos.
Treatment access in Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Laos. However, it is not clear whether non-nationals are able to access this treatment in the same way as nationals.
AHF Laos, in collaboration with the Center of HIV/AIDS and STIs and the Ministry of Health (MoH), began operations in 2018 with a focus on decentralising antiretroviral therapy (ART) to improve access to treatment across the country. AHF Laos provides comprehensive HIV testing and clinical services. AHF has also expanded its implementation sites to the Luang Prabang and Savannakhet provinces, partnering with 15 local organisations to extend its reach and impact in underserved regions.
The Association of People living with HIV APL+ can also link people to care.
A travel insurance covering medical care is recommended for visitors to Laos.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | No |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
