LAOS VISA

OVERVIEW

Laos visa is an official document or stamp that permits a foreign national to enter, stay, or travel through Laos for a specified period and purpose.

Temporary tourist visa changes 2024

From 1 July to 31 December 2024, visas on arrival and e-visas will permit you to stay for 60 days. Multiple-entry visas will only be available from the Lao Embassy before you depart for Laos.
These visas can be extended only once while in Laos for a further 60 days.

Applying for a visa

From 1 January 2025, tourist visas will only permit you to stay for 30 days from the date you arrive in Laos.
You can apply online for a Laos e-visa – apply at least 5 days in advance. The e-visa is single entry only and is accepted at major entry points.
You can also get a visa on arrival (single entry) at many entry points, including:
⦁ Vientiane Wattay airport
⦁ Luang Prabang airport
⦁ Paske airport

Visa extensions

From 1 January 2025, you’re allowed to extend your tourist visa twice while in Laos, for up to 60 days.
If you do not extend your visa within 90 days, you will face a fine in Lao kip worth 2,000 US dollars, deportation to your home country and a ban on returning to Laos.

LAOS VISA EXEMPTION

Currently, Lao PDR have the visa exception agreement with 36 countries and difference type of passport such as diplomatic passport, service passport and ordinary passport. Here are the full list of countries that have visa exception agreement with Lao PDR:
Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Cuba, Czech Republic, DPR Korea, Ecuador, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Korea, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor leste and Vietnam.

LAOS VISA REQUIREMENTS

When you apply for a Laos visa, you need to meet the following requirements:
⦁ Your passport, which must be valid for at least another six months.
⦁ The Laos visa application form. If you apply at an embassy, you can download it online. If you apply for the visa on arrival, you can get the application form on the plane or at the checkpoint/airport.
⦁ Two recent passport-size pictures, with a white background and 4 cm x 6 cm dimensions.
⦁ Proof of accommodation in Laos, such as a hotel reservation.
⦁ Proof you have enough financial means to cover your stay.
⦁ A return-trip ticket or onward ticket.
⦁ Payment of the Laos visa fee.
⦁ Any additional documents that the Lao consular services as for, depending on the reason for travelling.

LAOS VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

There are three ways you can apply for a Laos visa, depending on your nationality:
⦁ On arrival. At most entry ports.
⦁ Online. Through the official eVisa issuance website of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
⦁ At an Embassy or Consulate of Laos. For those who are not eligible to apply online or on arrival.

Applying for a Laos Visa on Arrival

When you arrive at the checkpoint in Laos, you have to approach the visa on arrival issuing counter and present the following documents:
⦁ Your passport. It must be valid for at least another six months.
⦁ The Laos Visa on Arrival Form, which you can get at the checkpoint or on the airplane.
⦁ Proof of accommodation in Laos. E.g. a hotel reservation.
⦁ Two recent passport-size pictures. 4 cm x 6 cm dimensions.
⦁ Cash (in US dollars) to pay for the visa fee. The Laos visa fee is USD 30 to USD 45, depending on your nationality.
⦁ Proof you have sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay in Laos.
⦁ A confirmed return ticket or onward travel ticket.
⦁ A visa/ticket for the next destination (if applicable)
⦁ After you submit the documents, you have to wait until the visa is processed. They will call your name after about 15 minutes when it is ready. You will receive a visa for a maximum of 30 days.
You can get a Laos visa on arrival at the following checkpoints:
⦁ Wattay International Airport
⦁ Savan International Airport
⦁ Pakse International Airport
⦁ Luang Prabang International Airport
⦁ Friendship Bridge IV Checkpoint in Bokeo (Thailand Border)
⦁ Samliemkham Checkpoint in Bokeo (Thailand and Myanmar Border)
⦁ Friendship Bridge I Checkpoint in Vientiane (Thailand Border)
⦁ Tanalaeng Checkpoint in Vientiane (Thailand Border)
⦁ Nonghaed Checkpoint in Xieng Khouang (Vietnam Border)
⦁ Nam Phao Checkpoint in Bolikhamxay (Vietnam Border)
⦁ Friendship Bridge III Checkpoint in Khammouane (Thailand Border)
⦁ Na Pao Checkpoint in Khammouane (Vietnam Border)
⦁ Friendship Bridge II Checkpoint in Savannakhet (Thailand Border)
⦁ Daensavan Checkpoint in Savannakhet (Vietnam Border)
⦁ Veun Kham Checkpoint in Champasak (Cambodia Border)
⦁ Vang Tao Checkpoint in Champasak (Thailand Border)
⦁ Boten Checkpoint in Luang Namtha (China Border)
⦁ Namheuang Checkpoint in Xayabouly (Thailand Border)
⦁ Phou Keua Checkpoint in Eutapeu (Vietnam Border)

Applying for a Laos Visa Online

To apply for Laos e-visa, please provide your email address on the Laos e-Visa official portal
https://www.laoevisa.gov.la/apply, after which you will receive a PIN in your email address which you must write down. Then, you can begin to fill in your application.

1. Start Your Application on the Laos eVisa Portal

The application form is divided into four sections.
⦁ The first part of the application requires you to write down your personal information. This includes your photograph and a photo of your passport.
⦁ Fill in your passport details. This includes your passport number, date of issue, expiry date, and country of passport.
⦁ Next, write down your travel details, including visa type, port of entry, intended date of entry, and vehicle.
⦁ Lastly, write down the purpose of your trip. You must also give information about the address where you will be staying while you are in the country.

2. Review Your Application Form

Next, review that all information is correct. Your name must be filled in exactly as it appears on your passport.
Additionally, the photograph must meet specific criteria. Lastly, make sure that all information is correct. Any incorrect information might result in your visa being denied.

3. Pay the Laos eVisa Application Fee

You must pay the fee before your visa can be processed. Otherwise, your visa will not move forward. The official online platform for Laos e-Visa allows you to calculate your e-Visa fee. Normally, fees depend on the type of visa you have applied for. Visa fees are non-refundable.
Laos e-Visa can be used to enter through these following designated ports:
⦁ Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital)
⦁ Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane Capital)
⦁ Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang)
⦁ Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province)
⦁ Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province)
⦁ Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province)
⦁ Boten International Checkpoint (Luang Namtha Province)
⦁ Boten Railway Station (Luang Namtha Province)
As soon as you arrive in Laos with the eVisa approval letter, follow the steps mentioned below:
⦁ Go to the Immigration area and enter the dedicated eVisa lane.
⦁ Present your passport and eVisa Approval Letter to the Immigration officer.
⦁ Get the final Immigration approval and enter Laos.

Applying for a Laos Embassy Visa

To apply for a Laos Visa at an embassy, you have to:
⦁ Get in touch with the nearest embassy or consulate.
⦁ Complete e Laos visa application form and submit it along with the required documents. You can find a Laos visa application on the website of the embassy or consulate.
⦁ You can apply in-person or via mail, as per the instructions of the Lao consular services.
⦁ Pay the Laos visa fee.

**Remember:

⦁ The visa application process will change slightly depending on where you apply, which is why you have to contact the embassy or consulate of Laos first.
⦁ You have to apply for a Laos visa at the nearest Lao embassy/consulate only if:
⦁ You are not able to get the visa on arrival or online visa or
⦁ You want to stay for longer than the VOA and eVisa allow.