Can a Foreigner Own a Company in Laos?
A clear, sourced answer to one of the most common questions from foreign investors — and why the honest answer depends on your business activity and structure.
QUICK ANSWER
In many cases, yes — wholly foreign-owned investment is explicitly permitted under the Law on Investment Promotion for most business activities, and there is no general, universal foreign-ownership percentage cap in the law. However, this is not a blanket rule: activities on the Government’s Controlled Business List may carry additional review or conditions, foreign investors cannot freely buy, sell or sublease land outside their approved purpose, and the specific structure you choose affects what is actually possible. The honest answer is “it depends on your activity and structure” — not a flat yes or no.
At a Glance
WHO THIS IS FOR
Foreign individuals and foreign companies considering ownership of a Lao business
MAIN LEGAL BASIS
Law on Investment Promotion (Amended), No. 62/NA (2024)
GENERAL RULE
Wholly foreign-owned investment is a recognized, permitted investment form
KEY VARIABLE
Whether your activity is on the Controlled Business List (not fully published)
LAND
Foreign investors access land through lease or concession, not freehold purchase, outside narrow exceptions
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
Ownership treatment differs between General Business, Controlled Business, Concession, and SEZ investment
Who This Applies To
This guide is written for foreign individuals and foreign companies considering establishing or owning a business in Laos, whether alone, with a Lao partner, or as part of a larger investment project. It does not apply uniformly — a foreign investor in a general, non-controlled business activity faces a materially different picture than one entering a Controlled Business List activity, a concession project, or a Special Economic Zone.
Official Information
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
The Law on Investment Promotion recognizes “wholly domestic or foreign-owned investment” as one of five legally defined investment forms, alongside joint investment between domestic and foreign investors, contract-based business cooperation, joint investment with a state-owned enterprise, and Public-Private Partnership investment. The law states that both domestic and foreign investors are protected under an “equal rights” principle.
Official source: Law on Investment Promotion (Amended), No. 62/NA, Articles 3, 21, 25
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Foreign investors are explicitly prohibited from buying, selling, or subleasing land that does not satisfy the objectives of their agreement — meaning land is generally accessed through lease or concession rather than freehold ownership. A narrow exception exists within Special or Specific Economic Zones: an individual foreigner who purchases real estate within a SEZ/SpEZ worth at least USD 100,000 receives a specific residence-visa benefit, which implies real estate ownership is possible in that specific context.
Official source: Law on Investment Promotion (Amended), No. 62/NA, Articles 64(3), 87(3)
OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Business activities on the Government’s Controlled Business List undergo additional review by relevant sectors before an investment license is granted. The Law states the Government determines this list “periodically,” meaning it is a separate, updatable regulation rather than a fixed part of the law’s own text. As of this review, the current itemized list was not published in full on InvestLaos.
AQQOUNT Practical Guidance
AQQOUNT PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
We regularly see this question asked as “can I own 100%?” — and the honest, professional answer is that it depends on what “own” and “100%” actually mean for your specific activity. For most general business activities, wholly foreign-owned investment is a real, legally recognized option with no blanket cap. For Controlled List activities, the review process may result in conditions specific to that activity, which cannot be predicted in the abstract. For land, “ownership” in the sense most foreign investors mean it (freehold) is generally not available outside the narrow SEZ real estate exception — what is available is lease or concession rights, which function differently.
Before choosing a structure, it is worth answering: is your activity on the Controlled Business List (confirm this directly, since the list itself is not fully public)? Do you need land, and if so, is lease/concession sufficient for your business model? Would a joint venture with a Lao partner offer practical advantages (such as local market knowledge or easier land arrangements) even where it is not legally required?
Ownership by Investment Category
| Category | Foreign Ownership Treatment |
|---|---|
| General Business (not controlled) | No stated ownership cap; wholly foreign-owned investment explicitly permitted; standard enterprise registration applies to both domestic and foreign individuals/entities. |
| General Business (Controlled List) | Subject to sector review before an investment license is granted; specific conditions are not published in advance and are determined case-by-case. |
| Concession Business | Nationality-neutral process, but subject to capital, track-record and (for some projects) bidding requirements regardless of ownership split. |
| Special / Specific Economic Zone | “General” and “promotional” investment categories apply per zone; a narrow real-estate ownership exception exists above the USD 100,000 threshold, tied to a visa benefit. |
This table reflects the general legal framework as we currently understand it. It is not a substitute for confirming the treatment of your specific activity with the relevant authority.
Practical Questions Before Choosing a Structure
01What exactly is the business activity?
The precise activity description determines whether it falls on the Controlled Business List.
02Do you need to hold land, or would a lease serve your needs?
Foreign land ownership outside the SEZ exception is not generally available — plan around lease/concession instead.
03Is a joint venture advantageous for reasons beyond legal necessity?
Local partnership can offer practical value (market access, relationships, land arrangements) even when not legally required.
04Does your project fit General Business, Concession, or SEZ investment?
Each category carries different ownership, approval and incentive treatment.
Common Issues
01Assuming “100% foreign-owned” applies universally
It applies to most general business activities, but Controlled List activities are reviewed case-by-case and cannot be assumed to follow the same rule.
02Confusing land lease/concession with ownership
Foreign investors generally cannot hold freehold land title; planning that assumes otherwise can cause delays.
03Not confirming Controlled List status early
Since the current list is not fully published, confirming your specific activity’s status early avoids restructuring later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Laos?
For most general, non-controlled business activities, yes — wholly foreign-owned investment is a legally recognized form under the Law on Investment Promotion with no general ownership cap. Controlled Business List activities are reviewed case-by-case, so this cannot be stated as a universal rule for every activity.
Is a local Lao partner legally required?
Not generally, for wholly foreign-owned investment in non-controlled activities. Some investors choose a joint venture for practical reasons (local market knowledge, relationships, or land arrangements) even where it is not legally mandatory.
Can a foreigner own land in Laos?
Generally no — foreign investors access land through lease or concession rather than freehold ownership. A narrow exception exists for individual foreigners purchasing real estate within a Special or Specific Economic Zone above a USD 100,000 threshold.
How do I know if my business activity is "controlled"?
The Government’s Controlled Business List is not fully published in itemized form on InvestLaos as of this review. We recommend confirming your specific activity’s classification directly with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, IPMC, or AQQOUNT before finalizing your structure.
Does foreign ownership work differently for a concession project?
Concession business (land concessions, SEZ development, mining, and similar activities) follows a nationality-neutral process, but carries its own capital, track-record and approval requirements that apply regardless of ownership split.
What is the safest way to confirm my specific situation?
Because requirements vary by activity, structure, and location, we recommend a direct inquiry to the relevant authority for your specific case — AQQOUNT can make this inquiry on your behalf as part of our advisory service.
Related Guides
04Controlled Business in Laos
Check whether your activity falls under Controlled Business classification.
05Opening a Bank Account for a Foreign-Owned Company in Laos
How foreign ownership affects the documentation a bank will ask for.
Considering an Investment in Laos?
Tell us about your business activity and plans — we can help confirm what structure and ownership approach fits your situation.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Official sources:
- Law on Investment Promotion (Amended), No. 62/NA (2024), Articles 3, 21, 25, 33, 64, 87
- InvestLaos — Controlled Business List
- InvestLaos — Special Economic Zones