Are you planning to visit Laos soon, a country known as the “Kingdom of a Million Elephants” but wondering if it is necessary to obtain a visa? How to obtain a visa? What are the steps to follow? We tell you everything in this article!
To enter Laos, unless you are a citizen of Luxembourg or Switzerland benefiting from a 15-day visa exemption, you must obtain a visa. To apply for a Laos visa, travelers must ensure their passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and has at least 2 blank pages for visa and immigration stamps.
For those who prefer to have their Laos visa ready before arrival, you can apply at the Lao Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. This visa allows entry at any airport or border post. The process generally involves:
The visa cost varies by nationality:
For remote applications, expect approximately 2 weeks for issuance, plus shipping costs. The visa is valid for 3 months from the issue date, allowing a stay of 29 days from the entry date.
2. Online Visa (eVisa)
Launched in 2019, the Laos eVisa simplifies the application process. You can apply through the official Laos Immigration Office website. The process includes:
An approval letter is sent via email within 3 business days. The eVisa is valid for 60 days after receipt of the approval letter and permits a 30-day stay. It is accepted at:
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3. Visa on Arrival
This convenient option involves simple procedures upon arrival at an airport or border post. You need:
Additional fees apply for missing photo IDs or arrivals during weekends, holidays, or after hours. Thai baht is accepted but at an unfavorable exchange rate. Visa on arrival is available at:
Note: Some border crossings, such as Tay Trang, Cau Treo, Cha Lo, and Na Meo in Vietnam, do not accept visas on arrival. For these, a visa from the Laos Embassy is required.
Please note: Some border crossings do not accept visas on arrival such as Tay Trang, Cau Treo, Cha Lo, and Na Meo in Vietnam. In this case, you must first request a visa from the Laos Embassy.
It is possible to extend your visa at the Vientiane immigration office at a cost of 2 USD per day. You must make this visa extension request well before the expiration date. Otherwise, you will be charged 10usd per day. Beyond 15 additional days, it may be more economical to exit the country and re-enter by taking out another visa on arrival for a further 30-day stay.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
From July 1 to December 31, 2025:
Starting January 1, 2025:
All foreigners in Laos must maintain a valid visa. Those who do not could face penalties of at least $10 per day in overstay fines or possible prison time in severe cases or if unable to pay. The Department of Immigration, Foreigner Control, and Visa Extension will extend visas for 30 days. As of February 19, 2021, the extension fee is 20,000 Lao kip (LAK) per day with an additional 30,000 LAK document fee. The total cost for a 30-day extension is currently 630,000 LAK (approximately $68).
In general, the Lao Immigration authority may forgive visa overstay fees if:
From January 1, 2025:
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New visa exemptions are in place for citizens of eight European countries, allowing up to 15-day stays without a visa.
Ensure your passport meets the following requirements:
For further details and assistance with obtaining your Laos visa, please contact us.
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