Lao Customs: B2 visa foreign workers, visa-free entry people need to buy $30 new crown insurance! Mohan switch from January 8

On 5 January, according to the Lao People's Times, a new regulation issued by the Lao Ministry of Public Security requires all foreign workers entering Laos to purchase new crown insurance.

A circular issued by the Ministry of Public Security on 15 December 2022 outlines the regulations on health insurance for foreign workers approved by the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Finance. According to the notice, all foreign workers are required to purchase new crown insurance worth 500,000 kip (about US $30).

The Ministry of Public Security will coordinate with Thavisub Insurance to facilitate the sale of the insurance program at border checkpoints across the country. Some foreigners living in Laos with B2 labor visas have been required to pay insurance costs. "I was asked to buy this insurance before I could be allowed to return home," said an expatriate traveling to Thailand to return to Laos via the Friendship Bridge.

On August 5, 2022, the Ministry of Public Security of Laos issued Notice No. 1768, "On the Pilot Work of New Crown Insurance for Foreign Workers Entering Laos for Long-term Activities". The main contents of this notice are as follows:

1. pass through Wadai Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 1, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 2, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 3, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 4, Wangdao Port, Moding Port, Dian Sawan Port, Nanheng Port, Golden Triangle Special Zone, Nape Port, Nabao Port, Lalai Port, Pugge Port Foreign workers who enter Laos for long-term activities will need to purchase new crown insurance.

2. foreigners enter Laos visa-free and need to purchase new crown insurance. Border customs officers check the categories of entry personnel, distinguishing between professionals and laborers. If foreign workers hold La-B2 visas, the recruitment company needs them to purchase new crown insurance in the customs department to introduce foreign workers.

3. customs officers to do a good job of checking the purchase of new crown insurance for foreigners with B2 visas and visa-free entry.

Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Mohan Switch from January 8

On 5 January, the Lao and Chinese authorities had agreed to reopen the international border crossing between Moding and Mohan on 8 January, according to the Lao People's Times.

According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday (January 4), the international border will be reopened in accordance with the revision of China's new crown prevention and control policy.

The China-Laos border will officially reopen for entry and exit from January 8, the announcement comes as many countries in Southeast Asia are bracing for an influx of Chinese tourists.

However, it is not clear what impact the reopening of the border will have on the cross-international travel of the China-Laos railway, and it is also uncertain whether it is possible to cross the two countries through the China-Laos railway in the early stage after the opening.