Yes, a foreigner can own 100% of a company in Laos in most sectors. The exceptions live in specific sectors, in concession projects, and in land, which foreigners can never own outright.
Two laws set the frame: the Law on Investment Promotion No. 14/NA (2016), which decides who may invest and in what, and the Law on Enterprise No. 33/NA (2022), which decides what kinds of company exist. Neither contains a blanket ban on foreigners owning 100% of a Lao company. The US State Department's 2025 Investment Climate Statement says the same: foreigners may invest in any sector except where the government deems it harmful to national security, health, national traditions, or the environment.
Many countries publish one official list of closed sectors. Laos does not. Restrictions are scattered across regulations issued by individual ministries. In practice this means one thing: whatever sector you are entering, the current rule must be checked at the responsible ministry before you commit money.
Known sector caps reported in recent legal reviews:
General business covers most manufacturing, services and trade. You register, get your sector licence, and operate. 100% foreign ownership is generally available, and there is no universal minimum capital.
Concession business covers projects using state resources: mining, hydropower, large plantations, major telecom and similar. These need a negotiated agreement with the government, often end up as joint ventures, and registered capital must be at least 30% of total project capital.
If your plan is a cafe, a factory, a consultancy or an online business, you are almost certainly a general business, and your life is much simpler.
Foreigners and foreign-owned companies cannot own land in Laos. What you can do: lease from the state for up to about 50 years, lease from a Lao citizen for up to about 30 years, or lease up to 75 years in a Special Economic Zone. Investors with registered capital of USD 500,000 or more may purchase long-term land use rights - a strong, registrable right, but still not freehold. VERIFY
Typical maximum terms, usually renewable. Freehold ownership: never available to foreigners.
Yes, in most sectors. The Investment Promotion Law expressly permits it. Exceptions are sector caps such as logistics, and concession projects where ownership is negotiated.
No. Foreigners can lease land (30 to 50 years, or 75 in special economic zones) or, above USD 500,000 registered capital, purchase long-term land use rights. Freehold is not available.
No universal minimum for ordinary businesses. Minimums come from sector rules; concession businesses need registered capital of at least 30% of total project capital.
Sources: Tilleke & Gibbins, Panoramic Foreign Investment Review Laos 2025 (Feb 2025) · US Department of State, 2025 Laos Investment Climate Statement (Sep 2025) · Law on Investment Promotion No. 14/NA, UNCTAD Investment Laws Navigator · WIPO Lex translations · ASEAN Briefing · DFDL/JLL Property Investment Guide · Lexology snapshots (2024).
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