Your complete guide to entering Laos

Visa-free entry, the official Lao eVisa, and visa on arrival — explained simply, with current fees, requirements and the official links you actually need.

🕑 Last reviewed: June 2026

Independent guide. laovisa.net is not affiliated with the Government of Laos. Visa rules, fees and exemptions change often — always confirm with the official portal laoevisa.gov.la or a Lao embassy before you travel or pay.

Visa-free entry
Up to 30 days
For 15+ nationalities (incl. ASEAN, Japan, Korea)
Lao eVisa
from US$50
Apply online · ~3 working days
Visa on arrival
US$30–42
At major airports & land borders
Passport
Valid 6+ months
With at least one blank page

Overview

There are three main ways to enter Laos. The right one depends on your nationality and how long you plan to stay.

1 · Visa-free

If your country has an exemption agreement, just arrive with a valid passport — no paperwork or fee.

2 · eVisa (online)

Apply on the official portal before you travel and receive an approval letter by email. Best for predictability.

3 · Visa on arrival

Get a 30-day tourist visa at major airports and land borders. Bring USD cash and a photo.

Quick rule of thumb

Visa-exempt? Just fly in. Staying longer or want zero queues? Use the eVisa. Deciding at the last minute and arriving at a listed port? Visa on arrival works.

Visa-free entry

Citizens of the following countries can enter Laos without a visa for tourism or short business visits. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and you may be asked for an onward ticket and proof of funds.

Maximum stayEligible nationalities
30 days Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam (ASEAN) · Japan · South Korea · Russia · Belarus · Mongolia · Timor-Leste
15 days Luxembourg · Switzerland

Durations change by agreement

Exemption lengths are set by bilateral agreements and have changed several times in recent years. If you are close to your limit, plan an extension or use an eVisa instead, and verify your exact allowance with a Lao embassy before departure.

Lao eVisa (apply online)

The eVisa is a single-entry tourist visa you apply for online before travel. You upload your documents, pay by card, and receive an approval letter (PDF) by email to print and present on arrival.

Key facts

  • Official portal: laoevisa.gov.la
  • Fee: from US$50 (China & Vietnam ≈ US$35), plus a small service/card fee
  • Processing: about 3 working days
  • eVisa validity: 60 days from issue
  • Length of stay: up to 30 days
  • Type: single entry, tourism

What you upload

  • Passport bio-data page (the page with your photo and the machine-readable code at the bottom)
  • Recent passport photo, 4×6 cm, taken within the last 6 months
  • A valid email address and a payment card
  • Your planned port of entry and arrival date

How to apply

  1. Go to the official portal laoevisa.gov.la and start a new application.
  2. Fill in your details and upload your passport page and photo.
  3. Pay the fee online and submit.
  4. Wait for approval by email (about 3 working days).
  5. Print the approval letter and present it with your passport at your chosen port of entry.

eVisa-approved ports of entry

The eVisa is accepted only at these designated checkpoints — if you arrive elsewhere it will not be valid:

✈️ Wattay Intl Airport, Vientiane ✈️ Luang Prabang Intl Airport ✈️ Pakse Intl Airport, Champasak 🌉 Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane) 🌉 Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet) 🌉 Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo) 🚧 Boten checkpoint (Luang Namtha) 🚆 Boten railway station 🚆 Khamsavath railway station (Vientiane)

Use the official site only

Many look-alike sites (e.g. names containing “visalaos” or “evisa-laos”) are private agents that add large surcharges. The only official portal is laoevisa.gov.la.

Visa on arrival (VOA)

A 30-day tourist visa issued on the spot at major airports and several land borders. The counter takes about 10–15 minutes once you have your documents ready.

Fee by nationality (indicative, USD)

NationalityApprox. fee
United StatesUS$35
United Kingdom & most EUUS$35
SwedenUS$31
CanadaUS$42
Australia & most other countriesUS$30

Fees are set per nationality by Lao authorities and are paid in US dollars cash. A small surcharge may apply on weekends, public holidays or outside office hours.

What to bring

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months
  • One recent passport photo (a small fee usually applies if you don’t have one)
  • The fee in US dollars cash (clean, undamaged notes)
  • An arrival/address in Laos and an onward plan

eVisa vs visa on arrival

They cost about the same for most travellers. Choose the eVisa for a guaranteed approval and shorter queues, or VOA if you’re deciding last-minute and entering at a major airport. Note: not every small land border issues VOA — check before heading to a remote crossing.

Tourist visa (T-B3)

Purpose

Tourism, leisure and short personal visits.

Validity

30 days, extendable once inside Laos (see extension).

You can obtain the tourist visa as an eVisa, as a visa on arrival, or in advance at a Lao embassy or consulate (typically 3–5 working days).

Business & work visas

Business visa (NI-B2)

For business activities, meetings and investment. Issued for 3 months, 6 months or 1 year, often multiple-entry.

  • Invitation letter from a company or partner in Laos
  • Company registration / investment documents
  • Usually arranged with a local sponsor, often after entry

Work visa (LA-B2)

Required to be legally employed in Laos. The process is employer-led and involves several ministries:

  1. Employer obtains a foreign-worker quota from the Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare.
  2. Entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare.
  3. Visa approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Consular Department).
  4. Work permit from the Provincial Labour & Social Welfare Department.
  5. Residence permit from the Immigration / Foreigner-Management Police.
  6. Multiple-entry visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Work and business categories are processed with a Lao sponsor and documentation can take weeks. Start early and keep certified copies of everything.

Other visa types

Student visa (ST-B2)

For study at a Lao institution. Needs an admission letter, transcripts, proof of funds and a health certificate. Renewable for the study period.

Transit visa (Tr-B3)

For passing through Laos to a third country. Up to 5 days, non-extendable. Needs an onward ticket and a visa for the destination if required.

Family / spouse (SP-B3)

For foreign spouses of Lao citizens. Needs a marriage certificate and a request letter from the local village authority; followed by a residence permit application.

Expert / NGO (E-B2)

For experts working with international organisations, NGOs or projects, on a contract or appointment letter. Issued for the mission duration.

Media (M-B2)

For journalists on reporting assignments. Requires permission from the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism.

Diplomatic / Official (A1 / A2)

For officials, diplomats and international-organisation staff and their families. Fees waived; issued for the mission.

Extension & overstay

Extending your stay

Tourist visas and exemptions can usually be extended at the Immigration Department in Vientiane (and some provincial offices) for a per-day fee. Many travel agencies can also arrange it. Apply before your current permission expires.

Overstaying

Overstaying is fined per day (commonly around US$10/day), payable on departure, and can lead to delays or future entry problems. Always check your entry stamp date and keep it.

Extension fees and overstay penalties change — confirm the current amount at the immigration office on arrival.

Requirements & photos

General documents

  • Passport valid 6+ months with a blank page
  • Completed application form (online for eVisa)
  • Passport photo (see sizes)
  • Visa fee (USD cash for VOA; card for eVisa)
  • Proof of funds and onward/return travel

Photo specifications

  • eVisa: 4×6 cm, taken within 6 months
  • Tourist (paper): 45×35 mm
  • Plain white background, face clearly visible
  • No glasses, no headwear (except religious)

Fees at a glance

VisaTypical costNotes
eVisa (tourist)from US$50China/Vietnam ≈ US$35 · +card fee
Visa on arrival (tourist)US$30–42By nationality · USD cash
Business — single entry≈ US$40Multiple-entry costs more
Business — multiple entryUS$80–200By validity (3/6/12 months)
Student / Work — single≈ US$40Work permit billed separately
Transit≈ US$20Up to 5 days
Diplomatic / OfficialFreeFor eligible holders
Visa extensionper-day feeAt Immigration, Vientiane

All amounts are indicative and set by Lao authorities; confirm the current fee before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

Do Japanese or Korean citizens need a visa for Laos?

No — Japanese and South Korean passport holders can currently enter visa-free for tourism (commonly up to 30 days). Confirm your exact allowance before travel, as exemption lengths are set by bilateral agreement and can change.

eVisa or visa on arrival — which is better?

For most travellers the cost is similar. The eVisa gives you a confirmed approval and shorter queues; visa on arrival is convenient if you decide last-minute and enter at a major airport. Remember the eVisa is only valid at the designated ports listed above.

How long does the eVisa take?

Usually about 3 working days, but allow extra time around weekends and public holidays. Apply at least a week before departure to be safe.

Can I extend my tourist visa?

Yes, typically once, at the Immigration Department in Vientiane for a per-day fee. Apply before your current permission expires to avoid overstay fines.

What happens if I overstay?

You pay a fine per day (commonly around US$10/day) when you leave. Repeated or long overstays can cause problems on future entry.

How much passport validity do I need?

At least 6 months from your date of entry, plus a blank page for the stamp.

Official contacts & links

Lao eVisa portal

The only official online application.

🔗 laoevisa.gov.la

Department of Immigration

Entry, extensions and stay rules.

🔗 immigration.gov.la

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Consular and visa policy.

🔗 mofa.gov.la

Nearest Lao embassy

For paper visas and country-specific rules, contact the Lao embassy or consulate in your country.