With a large number of aid organizations and a fast-growing international business com­munity, especially in energy and mining, the number of jobs available to foreigners is in­creasing, but still relatively small. The great­est number of positions is in Vientiane.

Possibilities include teaching English privately or at one of the several language central in Vientiane, work which pays about US$5 to US$10 an hour. Certificates or de­grees in English teaching aren't absolutely necessary, but they do help.

If you have technical expertise or inter­national volunteer experience, you might be able to find work with an UN-related programmed or an NGO providing for­eign aid or technical assistance to Laos. These jobs are difficult to find; your best bet is to visit the Vientiane offices of each organization and inquire about per­sonnel needs and vacancies, then start seeking out potential employers socially and buying them lots of Beerlao.

For a list of NGOs operating in Laos, see the excellent www.directoryofngos.org.

Once you have a sponsoring employer to look after the paperwork, a working visa should be ready in a few days.