US lifts visa sanctions for Lao citizens

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The government of the United States has waived most of the sanctions that had been imposed on the issuing of US visas for Lao citizens.

“As a result, the majority of Lao citizens who have applied or will apply for non-immigrant and immigrant visas to the United States will no longer be subject to INA 243(d) visa sanctions,” a notice posted on the website of the US Embassy to Laos stated.

This means Lao citizens can now travel to the US for tourism and other purposes.

According to the US Embassy, the purpose of intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under US immigration law.

Visa applicants will need to establish that they meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which they are applying.

All prospective visa applicants are encouraged to visit the US Embassy in Vientiane’s website at la.usembassy.gov for further information.

According to the notice, sanctions remain in place for certain senior officials of the Lao government, pending further cooperation with the United States with respect to accepting Lao nationals designated for removal from the United States.

The US Embassy clarified that visa sanctions are implemented by the US Department of State in collaboration with the US Department of Homeland Security.

“We will continue to engage the Lao government on this issue, and look forward to continued, further cooperation on expediting the removal of Lao nationals under deportation orders from the United States, as is standard under international law,” the Embassy said.

The United States is committed to working with the Lao government and people to help Laos achieve its sustainable development goals and become an increasingly prosperous country fully connected with its Asean neighbours.

According to the Embassy, those applying for a visa to the US should expect delays.

Routine visa appointments will remain very limited in the near term as the Consular Section processes visa applications that were previously suspended under INA 243(d) and continues to comply with current Lao pandemic regulations and Covid-19 social distancing protocol.

Bilateral ties between Laos and the US were elevated to the level of a comprehensive partnership in 2016.

Since then, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Laos has seen its annual budget increase nearly six-fold. USAID projects range from health, to nutrition, education, efforts to prevent human trafficking, business environment improvement, economic promotion, and legal aid access.