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 stay | Eligible 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 |
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
- Go to the official portal laoevisa.gov.la and start a new application.
- Fill in your details and upload your passport page and photo.
- Pay the fee online and submit.
- Wait for approval by email (about 3 working days).
- 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:
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)
| Nationality | Approx. fee |
|---|---|
| United States | US$35 |
| United Kingdom & most EU | US$35 |
| Sweden | US$31 |
| Canada | US$42 |
| Australia & most other countries | US$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:
- Employer obtains a foreign-worker quota from the Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare.
- Entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare.
- Visa approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Consular Department).
- Work permit from the Provincial Labour & Social Welfare Department.
- Residence permit from the Immigration / Foreigner-Management Police.
- 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
| Visa | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa (tourist) | from US$50 | China/Vietnam ≈ US$35 · +card fee |
| Visa on arrival (tourist) | US$30–42 | By nationality · USD cash |
| Business — single entry | ≈ US$40 | Multiple-entry costs more |
| Business — multiple entry | US$80–200 | By validity (3/6/12 months) |
| Student / Work — single | ≈ US$40 | Work permit billed separately |
| Transit | ≈ US$20 | Up to 5 days |
| Diplomatic / Official | Free | For eligible holders |
| Visa extension | per-day fee | At 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
Nearest Lao embassy
For paper visas and country-specific rules, contact the Lao embassy or consulate in your country.