People who have obtained permanent residency in Laos, stateless persons, foreigners and organizations of Laotian foreign nationals who legally live, invest or operate in Laos with the permission of the state can obtain state land use rights through leasing or franchising, and purchase limited state-planned land use rights.

The Lao government does not allow foreigners to directly purchase Lao land. If it is found that Lao citizens sell land to foreign individuals or land is registered in the name of Lao people, the land may be confiscated by the Lao government and the confiscated land will belong to the state.

Foreigners can also own land use rights based on land lease and concession agreements signed with Lao citizens and the government. The terms of land ownership are 30 years (signed with Lao citizens or legal persons) and 50 years (signed with the government). According to Articles 117 and 120 of the Land Law, land leases and concessions can be renewed with the consent of the government, the National Assembly or the Provincial People's Council.