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About Laos
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia’s northeastern-central mainland. The best part about Loas country is that it stretches roughly 650 miles (1,050 km) from northwest to southeast. Vientiane is the capital. Both Buddhist and Hindu lore have influenced the country’s visual, performing, and literary arts. Laos has the region’s typical tropical monsoon (wet-dry) climate, with some temperature variations provided by the mountains. The official language of Laos is Lao which is famous around the world.
The Mekong, the Khan, and Nam Song these three famous rivers all flow through major towns and cities in Laos providing visitors with unique boat trips and activities such as tubing. Laos has a diverse range of landscapes to explore, ranging from tropical jungle to limestone mountains with karst rock formations and caves.
The country also has a distinct architectural heritage, with influences ranging from Southeast Asia to French colonialism.
Laotian cuisine is rich in spices and flavor, similar to Thai and Indian cuisine. Laos has gained a reputation as a great place to visit if you enjoy outdoor activities.
Countries that do not require 14 days, 15 days, 30 days visa to Laos
Following countries don’t require a visa for specified dates.
- Brunei (14 days)
- Cambodia (30 days)
- Indonesia (30 days)
- Japan (15 days)
- Luxembourg (15 days)
- Malaysia ( 30 days)
- Russia (30 days)
- Singapore ( 30 days)
- South Korea (30 days)
- Switzerland ( 15 days)
- Thailand ( 30 days)
- Vietnam ( 30 days)
- Mongolia ( 30 days)
- Myanmar (14 days)
- Philippines (30 days)
Procedure to apply for a Laos visa
Laos Visas can be available in advance from a Laos embassy or consulate. Visa fees and processing times differ depending on the applicant’s nationality. If you require more specific information, please contact the office directly. Each applicant must fill out and submit a visa application form to the embassy or consulate. Each applicant must fill out and submit a visa application form to the embassy or consulate.
Depending on your nationality, you can apply for a Laos visa in one of three ways:
- On arrival at the entry port
- Apply online Through the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official eVisa issuance website.
- At a Laos embassy or consulate. Those who are ineligible to apply online or in person.
For any assistance, email support@laoevisa.gov.la
Procedure for applying for Laos visa on Arrival
Countries that require visa on Arrival to Laos
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Congo
- Congo
- Eswatini
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mozambique
- Nauru
- Niger
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Syria
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
When you arrive in Laos, you must proceed to the visa on arrival issuing counter and present the following documents:
- A passport should be valid for at least six months more.
- The Laos Visa on Arrival Form, which can be obtained at the airport or on the plane.
- Accommodation proof in Laos
- Two recent passport-sized photographs with Dimensions of 4 cm x 6 cm
- The visa fee in Laos ranges from USD 30 to USD 45, depending on your nationality must carry cash in USD.
- Proof that you have enough money to last the duration of your stay in Laos.
- A ticket for onward travel or a confirmed return ticket.
- A visa or a ticket to the next location
After submitting the documents, you must wait for the visa to be processed. When it is ready, they will call your name after about 15 minutes. You will be granted a visa for a period of no more than 30 days.
How to apply for a Laos visa online?
- First Fill out the application form and upload any required documents.
- Examine your application and pay the application fee online.
- Save the Lao eVisa Approval Letter to your computer.
Laos Visa fees
After submitting your information and the required documents, the eVisa payment is the final step in the application process. It’s between USD 31 to USD 45 depending on your nationality.
It is important to note that the eVisa Fee is non-refundable.
E-visa can be used at the below port of entry
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital)
- Lao – the Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane Capital)
- Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang)
- Lao – the Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province)
- Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province)
At the Arrival Port
Once you arrive at the port with evisa follow the below steps
- Proceed to the Immigration area and enter the eVisa lane.
- To the immigration officer, show your passport and eVisa Approval Letter.
- Enter Laos after receiving final immigration approval.
Documents required
- 4×6 cm size photograph (have been taken no longer than 6 months).
- Cover page of a passport
- The passport bio page.
Processing time of evisa
The processing time of the eVisa is typically three working days after submitting the complete application and paying the visa fee mentioned, provided that all information provided by applicants meets the visa criteria and is accepted by the Lao Government Authorities; otherwise, processing time may be extended.
Types of Laos Visa
1. Tourist Visa on Arrival
On arrival at all international airports and most international border crossings, the Lao government issues 30-day tourist visas.
The whole process is very straightforward. You’ll need between the amount of $30 and $42 in cash, a passport-sized photo, and the name of a hotel or guesthouse. Those without a passport photo, or who are arriving on a weekend, holiday, or after office hours, will have to pay an additional fee of one or two dollars.
The visa fee varies depending on the passport’s country of origin, with Canadians paying the most (US$42) and The majority of other nationalities paying between $30 and $35. Pay in US dollars because there is a flat rate of 1500B (approximately US$50) in Thai baht. No other foreign currencies are accepted.
2. Business Visa (NI-B2)
Business visas (also known as Investor Visas on some websites) are issued to foreign citizens working or investing in Laos, including foreign investors, stockholders, enterprise directors, deputy directors, technical officers, and volunteers with non-governmental organizations, General Consulates, Employees of Diplomatic Missions, United Nations Agencies, and other international organizations with ordinary passports.
Multiple entry visas can be obtained for three (3) months, six (6) months, or one (1) year, and can be renewed every three months, six months, or one year until assignments or business terms are completed.
3. Tourist Visas
Those who are not eligible for a visa on arrival can obtain 30-day tourist visas from Lao embassies and consulates around the world. The process involves generally the same cost, procedure, and documentation and which takes three working days. If you are in Bangkok, you can get your visa the same day for an additional cost of 200B.
4. Nonimmigrant & Business Visas
Business visas are valid only for 30 days and it’s easy to obtain as long as if you have a sponsoring agency in Laos. Also, business visas can be extended by up to a year.
5. Visit Visa (B3)
Foreign citizens seeking to visit family members or relatives working in Laos are granted visit visas. People who want to attend a conference but don’t have a formal invitation from a ministry of foreign affairs or their organization can also get this type of visa.
6. Labour Visa (LA B2)
Labor (LA-B2) visas (or work visas) are issued to foreigners who already have work permits, ID cards, and are legally employed by a registered Laos enterprise that has a quota for employing foreign employees.
This visa allows for multiple entries for a period of three months, six months, or twelve months, and it can be extended as work permits and ID cards are renewed.
7. Expert Visa (E- B2)
Foreign experts who come to work in international organizations, non-governmental organizations or projects in Laos are granted expert visas. To apply for this visa, you must provide proof of an assignment, such as an employment contract.
8. Diplomatic Visa (A1)
Diplomatic visas are only granted to foreign high-level governmental delegations, diplomats, consular officers, heads of United Nations Agencies and other International Organizations accredited in Laos, and their dependents (spouse and children) who hold diplomatic passports.
Diplomatic visas are not subject to visa fees. Multiple entry visas can be obtained for up to one year and can be renewed each year until assignments are completed.
9. Official Visa (A2)
Official visas, similar to A1 visas, are issued to members of governmental delegations, staff members of foreign diplomatic missions, consulates, United Nations Agencies, and other international organization agencies, as well as their dependents (spouse and children) who hold official passports.
Visa fees are waived for official visas. Multiple entry visas can be obtained for up to one year and can be renewed each year until assignments are completed.
10. Student Visa
Student visas are issued to foreign students who plan to study in Laos for one to five years. It is a 12-month visa that can be renewed year after year until the study course is completed.
11. Media Visa (M-B2)
Representatives of the foreign media, including members of the press, registered journalists, radio, TV, film, or print industries, who came to cover events in Laos, are granted Media Visas.
Visa Extensions
A tourist visa which is for 30-day can be extended for an additional 90 days at a cost of US$2 per day, but it’s only in major cities such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse, and Savannakhet.
Overstaying Your Visa
Overstaying a visa in Laos is not a crime, however, it will cost you more and it costs US$10 for each day overstayed, which should be paid at the immigration checkpoint on departure.
Customs Regulations
Customs inspections at ports of entry are lax as long as you don’t have more than a moderate amount of luggage. You’re not allowed to enter the country with more than 500 cigarettes or 1L of distilled spirits. All of the standard prohibitions on drugs, weapons, and pornography are in effect.
Best place to visit in Laos
1. Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Laos, with temples, a palace museum, souvenir shops, and multi-cuisine restaurants. Visitors can explore the city by renting a bicycle.
luang prabang
2. Vientiane
Vientiane, as the capital, is more urbanized and busier than the rest of the country. A good place to visit if you want to take a break from being close to nature and return to the city for a few days.
Vientiane
3. Kuang Si
Laos has many beautiful waterfalls, but Kuang Si waterfall is one of the best Laos destinations to see a waterfall because the water is turquoise and the area is gorgeous, not to mention the swarm of butterflies that make the place magical.
kuang si
4. Champasak
This sleepy town is close to 4000 islands. Although internet access is limited, nature is at its finest here. Tourists mostly come here during the Champasak festival, but it’s very quiet and peaceful the rest of the time.
Champasak
5. Si Phan Don
Si Phan Don is a small group of islands in southern Laos. Some of them are submerged during the rainy season, while others are inhabited and have picturesque villages, forests, and mountains.
Si Phan Don