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 period can be extended twice for an additional 30 days each time.
A few countries are also visa exempt. The full list can be viewed here.
For longer stays (6 months), travellers need to hold a bank account in Laos with at least $20,000USD. For the 12-month visa, travellers must have at least $40,000USD in their Laotian bank account.
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
- 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.
Do You Have Travel Insurance?
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 time period without a visa.
| Brunei | 30 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 |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| South Korea | 30 days |
| Russia | 30 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.)
What do you need to apply?
- A passport with at least six months validity from the intended period of stay in Laos
- Photo, no older than six months (4x6cm)
- Other supporting documents
Note:
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. $50USD. (Subject to change.)
What do you need to apply?
- A passport with at least six months validity from the intended period of stay in Laos
- Photo, no older than six months (4x6cm)
- Other supporting documents
Good to Know!
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 grants you permission 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 additional 30 days. The total would permit you to stay for 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. Although Laos may not be as strict as some other countries, any overstay will be recorded and could prevent you from re-entering at a later date.
- $10USD fine per day that you’ve overstayed (please note, penalties can change at any time)
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.
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