In　this　paper,　the　high-temperature　creep　strengths　and　microstructures　of　laser　beam　and　tungsten　inert　gas　(TIG)-welded　HR3C　austenitic　stainless　steel　joints　were　investigated.　The　results　show　that　the　high-temperature　creep　strengths　of　laser　joints　are　increased　compared　with　TIG　joints　with　post-weld　treatment.　In　laser　welding　joints,　the　microstructure　is　fine　cellular　austenite　grains　with　a　few　fine　globular　austenite　grains　growing　almost　symmetrically　along　the　bead　centre,　and　no　residual　delta-ferrite　is　observed.　However,　about　8%　of　residual　delta-ferrites　occurred　in　the　TIG　joints.　With　a　solution-annealing　treatment,　the　d-ferrites　of　TIG　joints　are　dissolved,　and　the　austenite　grains　are　coarse　in　the　weld　bead.　The　improvement　in　creep　strength　of　laser　welding　joint　mainly　comes　from　the　low　heat　input　and　high　welding　speed,　which　can　induce　a　fast　solidification　of　the　weld　pool;　therefore,　no　d-ferrite　is　formed　in　this　process.