How to Enter Laos? Quick Answers
- Do I need special permission to enter Laos? Almost everyone is required to apply for an eVisa or Visa on Arrival (VOA).
- Do I need a visa to enter Laos? The majority of nationalities need to obtain an eVisa or Visa on Arrival. This list specifies the countries that can enter under visa exemption. If you see ‘not available’ written in the ‘Ordinary Passport’ section for your country, you need to get a visa.
- Do I need proof of onward travel? No.
- Do I need proof of COVID-19 vaccination? No.
- Do I need travel insurance? No, but having a policy is strongly advised. Read about some of the most popular travel insurers here.
Laos Visa Summary
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Laos offers an eVisa or Visa on Arrival (VOA) for the vast majority of passport holders for up to 30 days. This can be extended twice, for a total of 60 days.
A few countries are also visa exempt. The full list can be viewed here.
Laos: COVID-19 Requirements
COVID-19 Vaccination Status
- Vaccinated travellers: No requirements.
- Non-vaccinated travellers: No requirements.
Entry Requirements & Documents
- A passport with at least six months validity from the intended period of stay in Laos
- 2 blank pages in your passport
- A valid visa (if applicable)
Travel Insurance Requirements
Travel insurance is not required for travellers to enter Laos. If you are interested in insurance, you can see some of the most popular providers with our readers below.
Are you covered?
Members of our Southeast Asia Backpacker Community choose SafetyWing, World Nomads and TrueTraveller as their favourite travel insurers!
Laos: Visa Exemption
The nationalities below can enter Laos for the specified period without a visa.
- Brunei (14 days)
- Cambodia (30 days)
- Indonesia (30 days)
- Japan (15 days)
- Luxembourg (15 days)
- Malaysia (30 days)
- Mongolia (30 days)
- Myanmar (14 days)
- Philippines (30 days)
- Russia (30 days)
- Singapore (30 days)
- South Korea (15 days)
- Switzerland (15 days)
- Thailand (30 days)
- Vietnam (30 days)
Laos: Type of Visas
eVisa: 30-Day Single-Entry Tourist Visa
- What is an eVisa? This single-entry visa grants the majority of passport holders a stay of up to 30 days. (Can be extended.)
- How to apply: Apply through the official eVisa government website. (Make sure to use only this website!)
- Cost: approx. $50USD. (Subject to change depending on nationality.)
- What do you need to apply?
- A passport with at least six months validity from the intended period of stay in Laos
- 2 blank pages in your passport
- Photo, no older than six months (4x6cm)
- Other supporting documents
Note:
It takes around five working days to process the eVisa. Once it’s approved, make sure to print it! It doesn’t matter whether it’s in black and white or colour, as long as the QR code is readable.
Visa On Arrival (VOA): 30-Day Single-Entry Visa
- What is a Visa on Arrival (VOA)? This single-entry visa grants the majority of passport holders permission to stay up to 30 days in Laos (which can be extended) without prior application.
- How to apply: Apply at the border/checkpoint
- Cost: approx. $40USD. (Subject to change depending on nationality.)
- What do you need to apply?
- A passport with at least six months validity from the intended period of stay in Laos
- 2 blank pages in your passport
- Photo, no older than six months (4x6cm)
- Other supporting documents
Good to Know!
Note that the available entry points differ for the eVisa and VOA. The official list from the Laos Government details where you can enter Laos.
TIP! If you are entering from Vietnam, you can obtain a visa stamp at the Laos embassy in Hanoi. The stamp is superior to the eVisa and Visa on Arrival and permits you to enter at any of the official border crossings! Make sure to bring a photograph and arrive at least one hour before closing time.
Laos: Extending your Visa
The 30-day visa can be extended twice. Each time you can extend by a maximum of an additional 30 days. The total would permit you to stay for a total of 90 days in Laos.
Cost: 20,000KIP (approx. $1USD) per day + 25,000KIP (approx. $1.50USD) per extension. For example, 30 more days would cost 625,000KIP, around $36USD. (Subject to change.)
Border Runs from Laos
If your time in Laos is coming to an end and you’ve exhausted your allowance for visa extensions, you can always do a border run. Recommended destinations include Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia.
Find more information about border runs here.
How many times can you re-enter Laos via a border run? Currently, there is no law against border runs from Laos. You can attempt this process as often as you need.
Laos: Overstaying your Visa
Penalties for Overstaying in Laos
Overstaying a visa in any country is a serious offence and you should apply for a visa extension before your current one expires. If you do not extend your visa within 90 days, you could face serious consequences, including a fine equivalent of up to $2000USD, a ban on returning to Laos and deportation to your home country.
Louis Wilhelm
Life on Earth has way too many facets and adventures readily available to be wasting time working in an office 50 hours a week! With this mindset, Louis eventually quit his poor work/life balance job and headed off to Southeast Asia. Passionate about languages, wildlife and the beauty of this planet, he has been on the road ever since. Taking notes on his journey to support like-minded people on similar adventures and also capturing amazing memories with his camera, has become the missing piece of the puzzle.
Find him on: Instagram