The United States of America suspends the issuance of all types of visas to Lao citizens, effective from January 21, 2026 onward.

According to the announcement published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States of America, the implementation of measures to suspend the issuance of all types of U.S. entry visas for nationals of 75 countries, including the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, will take effect from January 21, 2026 onward.

Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic hereby informs Lao citizens of all ethnic groups to acknowledge this information and carefully consider refraining from submitting visa applications to enter the United States during the specified period, as visa applications will not be processed, and applicants will lose the application fees without being granted a visa.

However, Lao citizens holding diplomatic and official passports, whose purpose of travel is to perform diplomatic or official duties or to attend international conferences upon official invitation, may still enter the United States of America as usual.

Vientiane Capital, January 20, 2026
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Lao People’s Democratic Republic

https://www.mofa.gov.la/gweb/gweb/backend/web/index.php?r=site/detail&id=1460