Laos visa 2024: Formalities to obtain your visa for Laos

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!

Updated on 28-03-2024

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How to obtain a visa for Laos?
Visa extension on site

How to obtain a visa for Laos?

To enter Laos, unless you are a citizen of Luxembourg or Switzerland who benefits from a 15-day visa exemption, you must obtain a visa. In order to apply for a visa, the traveler must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after the return date. There must be at least 2 blank pages on the passport as the Laotian visa stamp takes up an entire page and there must also be space for immigration stamps.

Elephant and monk in Laos

There are 3 ways to apply for a visa in Laos:

Visa requested at the Laos Embassy before departure

If you wish to have the visa ready before arriving in Laos, you can apply for a visa at the Lao Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. By having this visa, you will be able to enter at any airport or border post.

Visit Laoembassy.com to find out more about the procedures. In general, your file includes:

- A complete visa application form

- Your original passport

- An identity photo

The Laos visa price is $37.7 for French (deadline: approximately 5 working days), $43.1 for Belgians (deadline: 3 working days), $53.7 in the event of a stay of more than 15 days for Swiss (deadline: 3 working days; form to download from the Paris embassy website), $57 for Canadians (deadline: 10 working days).

For a remote visa application, it takes approximately 2 weeks to have it issued and also allows for shipping costs. Normally, the visa for Laos is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. You will have an authorized stay of 29 days from the date of entry into the country. After 3 months, you will have to redo the visa procedures. This type of visa is classic but is quite complicated and expensive.

Online visa (electronic visa or Laos e-visa)

Since 2019, Laos has launched the e-visa (online visa) which makes it easier for travelers to apply for a visa. Here is the official website of the Laos Immigration Office Lao Official Online Visa.

All you need to do is fill in your contact details which appear on your passport (full name, address, date of birth, passport number), and the reason for your stay. You must pay the visa application fee – 45 USD. After completing the administrative procedures, an approval letter will be sent to you by email within 3 business days. The e-visa is valid for 60 days after receipt of the approval letter and the holder can stay in Laos for 30 days. However, the e-visa is only valid for a single entry.

The e-visa is currently accepted at 3 major airports ( Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse) and 2 border gates (Nong Khai and Savanakhet).

Visa on arrival Laos

This type of visa is highly recommended for its convenience and reasonable fees. In fact, the procedures are simple: when you arrive at the airport or border post, you will need to pay 30-42 USD in cash (variable depending on your nationality) directly to customs, present your passport with a photo identity card, and the name of the accommodation where you will be staying. For those who do not have photo ID or arrive on weekends, holidays, or after hours must pay an additional 1 or 2 dollars. Thai baht is also accepted but you have to pay more due to the unfavorable exchange rate.

Visa on arrival is accepted at four airports in Laos: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Paksé, and Savannakhet.

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.

Visa extension on site

Laos visa

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.