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Laos has temporarily suspended new recruitment of Bangladeshi workers, approval of work permits and the issuance of labour-category entry visas for Bangladeshi nationals.
In view of the decision, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has advised citizens not to travel to Laos for employment until further notice.
According to a recent ministry notice, Laos’s Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare issued a directive on September 9, temporarily suspending quota approvals, recruitment procedures and work permit approvals for newly recruited Bangladeshi workers. The issuance of labour-category visas for Bangladeshis has also been suspended.
The suspension will remain in effect from September 1 to December 31, 2026, according to the Lao government’s decision.
The Bangladeshi ministry said the Bangladesh Embassy in Thailand, which is concurrently accredited to Laos, has confirmed the suspension of the labour market, work permits and entry visas for Bangladeshi workers.
The ministry has urged prospective workers to remain cautious and avoid making payments in response to promises of jobs or visas in Laos.
It also warned against fraud involving fake visas, false job offers and unauthorised recruiting agencies, advising workers to verify any job offer or visa-related information through official government sources before making commitments.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions between Bangladesh and Laos on labour-market cooperation. During the two countries’ first foreign-office consultations in August, both sides agreed to work towards a labour cooperation arrangement to facilitate the recruitment of more Bangladeshi workers for Laos.
Bangladesh also requested Laos to simplify visa procedures for Bangladeshi ordinary passport holders during the meeting.