Laos visa and entry requirements

Who can use this: 13 passports^{[1][2][11][13]}

Ordinary passports. Japan and R. Korea citizens: 30 days since 1 June 2025 per the Lao embassy in Japan (the 2022 list still shows 15 days for Japan). Timor-Leste: tourism stays.

Stay

30 days^{[1][2][11][13]}

Fee

Free. No visa fee.^[1]

Extension

Not possible. Visa-exempt stays cannot be extended except in emergencies or other necessary cases with supporting documents. Leaving Laos and re-entering starts a new stay.^[3][11]

Requirements

• Japan and R. Korea citizens: passport valid for at least 6 months on entry.^[11]
• Register through the Lao Digital Immigration Form where it applies.^[5]

Who can use this: 3 passports^[1][2]

Ordinary passports.

Stay

15 days. Myanmar citizens 14 days, Luxembourg and Switzerland 15 days.^[1][2]

• 14 days: Myanmar (Burma)

Fee

Free. No visa fee.^[1]

Extension

Not possible. Visa-exempt stays cannot be extended except in emergencies or other necessary cases with supporting documents.^[3]

Requirements

• Register through the Lao Digital Immigration Form where it applies.^[5]

Who can use this: All passports^[1][3]

The Department of Immigration says most travellers can get a visa on arrival, and it mentions nationalities that cannot, without publishing a list.

Stay

30 days^[1]

Fee

$50. Amount given by the Lao embassy in Japan; the Department of Immigration publishes no fee table.^[11]

Extension

Possible, LAK 20,000. At the Immigration Department in Vientiane or a provincial immigration office. The visas page says once, the services page says up to 2 times per arrival. 20,000 kip per day plus 40,000 kip service fee.^[1][3]

Entry points

Only at these entry points^[4]

Show the 33 entry points

WATTAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LUANGPRABANG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SAVANNAKHET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, PAKSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE 1, FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE 2, FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE 3, FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE 4, LAO CHINA RAILWAY, PANGHOK, LANETOUI, BOTEN, Golden Triangle International Border Immigration Check Point, MEUANGMOM, NAMSOY, NAMHEUANG FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL CHECKPOINT, NAMNGEUN INTERNATIONAL CHECKPOINT, PHOUDOU INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, PANGMON INTERNATIONAL BODER CHECKPOINT, NAMKAN INTERNATIONAL CHECKPOINT, NAMPHAO INTERNATIONAL CHECKPOINT, The Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, NAPHAO INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, DANSAVAN INTERNATIONAL BORDER GATE, VANGTAO INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, NONGNOKKHEANE INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, DAK TA OCK INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, LA LAI INTERNATIONAL CHECKPOINT, PHOUKEUA INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECK POINT, BANVANG INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, PAKTAPHAN INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, PAHANG INTERNATIONAL BORDER CHECKPOINT, KHAMSAVATH STATION

International checkpoints listed with the visa on arrival status.

Requirements

• Two passport photos (5 x 3 cm) and the fee in US dollars.^[11]
• Passport valid for more than 180 days from arrival.^[3][10]

Who can use this: 162 passports^[6][10]

Ordinary passports only. Tourism only.

Stay

30 days. Counted from the day of arrival. The approval letter is valid for 60 days to enter.^[9][10]

Fee

$50. Per applicant, excluding bank charge. Non-refundable.^[7][9]

Extension

Possible, LAK 20,000. At the Immigration Department in Vientiane or a provincial immigration office, requested at least 3 days before expiry, up to 2 times per arrival. 20,000 kip per day plus 40,000 kip service fee.^[3]

Processing

Usually 3 working days after the application and fee are complete.^[8][9]

Entry points

Only at these entry points^[8][9][10]

Show the 9 entry points

Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital), Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane Capital), Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang), Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province), Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province), Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province), Boten International Checkpoint (Luang Namtha Province), Boten Railway Station (Luang Namtha Province), Khamsavath Railway Station (Vientiane Capital)

Entry through other checkpoints needs a visa on arrival, and the eVisa fee is not refunded.

Entry

Single entry

Requirements

• Passport bio page and a 4x6 cm photo taken within the last 6 months.^[8][9]
• Print the eVisa approval letter and show it at the eVisa lane. The same passport used in the application must be presented.^[9][10]
• Passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, with at least 1 blank page.^[10]
• A group application covers a maximum of 20 people per invoice. Children and infants need a visa too.^[9]

Who can use this: All passports^[1]

Applied for at a Lao embassy or consulate. Requirements and fees differ by embassy.

Stay

30 days. The Lao embassy in Washington states 30 days from entry. The Department of Immigration states up to 60 days for an embassy tourist visa.^[1][12]

Fee

$50. US and Canadian citizens at the Lao embassy in Washington; other embassies set their own fees.^[12]

Extension

Possible, LAK 20,000. At an immigration office in Laos.^[3][12]

Processing

Ten business days at the Lao embassy in Washington, expedited service for an extra 20 US dollars.^[12]

Entry

Single entry

Requirements

• Application form, two photos (2 x 2 inches), original passport valid for at least 6 months and a copy of the data page.^[12]

Issued for one entry and must be used within two months of issue (Lao embassy in Washington).