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Laos Visa Guide: Visa on Arrival, e-Visa and Embassy Visas
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How to Get a Laos Visa
This guide walks you through the different ways to get a tourist visa for Laos, depending on your nationality. Getting a visa is straightforward, there’s nothing to worry about.
For most visitors, the Visa on Arrival (VOA) is the easiest option. The official tourist visa type is “T-B3,” available at several entry points, and it allows a 30-day stay. Once you arrive at the border, signs will direct you to the VOA counter, where an immigration officer will hand you a form to fill out (name, passport number, hotel address, phone number, etc.).
Contact us and we’ll help you get it done fast and easy.
🛂 Types of Visas for Laos
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA)
- Arrive and head to the Visa on Arrival counter. Follow the signs before you reach immigration.
- Fill out the form. You’ll be handed (or can pick up) the Visa on Arrival form. The old paper arrival card has been replaced by the online Digital Arrival Card, so fill that in before you travel.
- Submit the following: completed form, passport (valid at least 6 months, with one blank page), one passport-sized photo (if you don’t have one, immigration takes one for a small extra fee), and the visa fee in cash.
- Wait for your name to be called. Stay nearby until your passport is returned with the visa sticker inside.
- Proceed to the immigration checkpoint. The visa is a full-page sticker, and you’ll also receive an entry stamp valid for 30 days.
If you don’t have US dollars, paying in Thai baht is usually possible too, but at a less favorable exchange rate set by Lao immigration. Pay in US dollars: other currencies may be refused or charged at a worse exchange rate. If you’re crossing from Vietnam via the Lao Bao border, you can pay in Vietnamese dong (VND) instead, though the same markup applies.
Visa on Arrival has 3 international Airports in Laos and 10 Land Borders:
Wattay International Airport Vientiane VTE
Luang Prabang International Airport Luang Prabang LPQ
Pakse International Airport Pakse PKZ
Land Borders Thailand – Laos
- Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane – Nong Khai): One of the most popular crossings into the Lao Capital
- Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet – Mukdahan): Convenient for travelers heading to central Laos.
- Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge III (Thakhek – Nakhon Phanom): Gateway to the Khammouane province, Thakek Loop
- Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge IV (Houayxay – Chiang Khong): Popular among travelers heading to northern Laos.
- Chong Mek – Vang Tao (Champasak, Pakse – Ubon Ratchathani): Access point to southern Laos, near Pakse.
Land Border Cambodia – Laos:
- Nong Nok Khiene (Veun Kham, Laos) – border crossing from/to Cambodia near the 4000 Islands in Southern Laos
Land Border Vietnam – Laos:
- Lao Bao, Vietnam – Dansavanh, Laos. Only land border crossing with Vietnam, where VOA is available.
Land Border China – Laos:
- Boten, Laos – Mohan, China: Primary overland crossing between China and Laos (Yunnan Province, Luang Namtha)
Visa on arrival at Huay Xai (Friendship Bridge IV)
Most travellers heading for the Mekong slow boat enter Laos at Huay Xai. You leave Thailand at the Chiang Khong immigration post, take the shuttle bus across the Fourth Friendship Bridge, and queue at the Visa on Arrival counter on the Lao side. Both the Visa on Arrival and the e-Visa are accepted here.
Have your passport, one photo, crisp US dollars and your Digital Arrival Card QR code ready before the bus reaches the bridge. Queues are longest in the morning, when the slow boat passengers cross together. Our slow boat from Thailand to Laos guide covers the rest of the journey.
Bring crisp US dollars
Lao immigration is strict about banknotes. Bills with small tears, ink marks, stamps or heavy creases are often refused, and paying in baht or kip instead costs more. Ask your bank for new, clean bills and keep them flat in an envelope.
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2. eVisa for Tourist – An Online alternate to Laos Travel Visa
The Laos eVisa is an official electronic travel authorization that lets eligible travelers apply for a tourist visa online before arriving. It’s more convenient and faster than the Visa on Arrival, with approval usually taking around 3 business days.
Better still, the whole process can be done from your phone, so you can apply on the go.
How it works: Applying for an eVisa is simpler than applying for a VOA. Just make sure to apply early, since processing takes about 3 working days (weekends excluded). Send us a message or give us a call and we’ll take care of the rest.
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Fast and easy travel visa's for thailand, laos and south east asia.
eVisa cost and entry points:
The eVisa is paid online by card and costs a little more than the Visa on Arrival for most nationalities (see the fee table). It is only accepted at certain entry points: the international airports of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, Friendship Bridges I, II and IV (Vientiane, Savannakhet and Huay Xai), and Boten on the China border (road and railway station). Check the official site, laoevisa.gov.la, before you travel, as the list changes. Our Laos e-Visa step-by-step application guide walks you through the form.
With an eVisa, you skip the paperwork line entirely, saving you time, especially during peak travel season (October–January), when queues run longer.
Which nationalities cannot get an eVisa?
Not every nationality is eligible for the eVisa (this restriction also applies to Visa on Arrival). If your country is on the list below, you’ll need to apply through an embassy or consulate instead:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Jordan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Mozambique, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Syria, Eswatini, Tonga, Turkey, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
3. Laos Embassy or Consulate Visa
Getting a tourist visa from a Lao embassy or consulate abroad is a solid option if you’d rather have your visa secured before departure. Processing usually takes 3–5 working days, depending on location and how busy the embassy is. At consulates in Vietnam, turnaround can be as fast as 24 hours.
You’ll typically need a passport-sized photo, a valid passport (at least 6 months remaining), and sometimes proof of travel or accommodation, though this is rarely requested in practice.
Some Lao embassies may ask applicants from countries not eligible for VOA or eVisa to provide an invitation or sponsorship letter from a contact or organization in Laos.
Visa-free entry to Laos for some nationalities:
As a member of ASEAN, Laos allows visa-free entry for citizens of other ASEAN countries, for stays of either 30 or 15 days depending on nationality.
30-day visa-free entry: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Russia
15-day visa-free entry: Japan, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Myanmar
🌍 Visa Extension in Laos
Tourist visas, including the Visa on Arrival and the eVisa, can be extended without leaving the country, at the Immigration Department in Vientiane or at a provincial immigration office. You can extend up to two times per arrival. The process is straightforward:
- Apply at least 3 days before your current visa expires. Offices are closed on weekends and holidays, open Monday–Friday 08:30–15:30, and closed for lunch from 11:30–13:30.
- Submit your passport, one 3×4 cm passport photo and the extension form (available on-site). Immigration officers sometimes fill out the form for you, but they’ll ask about your current stay and phone number.
- Pay the daily extension fee plus the service and form fee for each request (see the fee table). You’ll receive a slip after payment, don’t lose it.
- Processing usually takes 1–2 business days, though it can run longer depending on where you apply. You’ll be notified when your passport is ready for pickup. Overall, this process tends to be smoother and faster than the equivalent in Thailand.
Renewing a Tourist Visa by doing a Visa run
If you’d rather not extend your visa at an immigration office (not the most efficient option), you can cross into a neighboring country, such as Thailand, and re-enter Laos. Keep in mind you’ll need to pay the visa fee again on arrival (plus the standard requirements). This is also the way to go once you hit the 90-day maximum and need to start fresh.
Overstaying a Visa in Laos.
Overstaying your visa should be avoided, but it’s not a major issue if it happens. The daily fine (see the fee table) costs more than simply extending your visa at the nearest immigration office. Repeated overstays can raise questions and may lead to additional fees, so it’s best to stay within the rules.
Laos Visa Fees (October 2026)
Lao immigration sets these fees and can change them without notice. Treat them as a guide and carry a little extra cash.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (30 days) | 40 USD, in clean, crisp US dollar notes |
| Paying the Visa on Arrival in another currency | May be refused, or charged at a worse exchange rate |
| Out-of-hours or weekend fee at some borders | About USD 1 |
| Photo taken at the counter | About USD 1 to 3 |
| e-Visa (30 days) | USD 35 to 50, paid online by card |
| Visa extension (up to 2 per arrival) | 20,000 LAK per day, plus 40,000 LAK service and form fee per request |
| Overstay fine | USD 10 per day, paid when you leave |
| Digital Arrival Card | Free |
Digital Arrival Card
Since September 2025, Laos has been replacing the paper arrival and departure card with an online form on the official immigration site, immigration.gov.la. It started at the airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse and at Friendship Bridge I, and from 2026 it applies at every border gate.
- Fill it in online in the days before you arrive. It is free.
- You receive a QR code. Save it or screenshot it, and show it to the immigration officer.
- It is not a visa. You still need a Visa on Arrival, an e-Visa or visa-free entry.
Laos Visa for US Citizens
US passport holders need a visa and can use any of the three routes above. Most choose the Visa on Arrival, which is available at the international airports and the main land borders, including the Friendship Bridges from Thailand.
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months, with at least two blank pages.
- Cash: the visa fee in clean, new US dollar bills. Worn bills are a common reason travellers are sent to pay in baht at a worse rate.
- Photos: two passport photos (2×2 inch or 4×6 cm).
- e-Visa: Americans are eligible; use only the official site and check that your entry point accepts it.
- Before you fly: check the US State Department’s Laos page for current advice.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions feel free to read the most asked questions below.
How do I book a trip with Laos Travel Company?
Interested in booking a trip to Laos or Thailand?
Click through to Slow Boat to Laos or Train & Bus Tickets
What if I need to make changes to my booking?
For changes to your booking, you would need to contact the customer support team. They would provide assistance for any changes in fees, dates or trip problems based on your specific booking and the terms and conditions.
Does Laos Travel Company offer support during my trip?
Yes. Our founder, Mr. Laan, has contacts throughout the region who can help you along the way, and you can always reach him directly by Line, WhatsApp, or phone call.
Are your trips family-friendly?
Yes, our trips are safe and well-planned, with English-speaking staff always available. We don’t provide strollers, but our team is always happy to lend a hand.
Can I customize my travel itinerary?
Custom tours can always be provided. We can give you private drivers, VIP access and extra help along the way.
Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in Laos?
Yes. US passport holders can get a 30-day Visa on Arrival at the international airports and the main land borders, or apply for an e-Visa online. Bring the fee in clean, new US dollar bills. More for US citizens.
Do I need to fill in the Digital Arrival Card?
Yes. Laos now uses an online arrival card instead of the paper form. Fill it in on immigration.gov.la before you travel and show the QR code at immigration. It is free. How it works.
How much does a Laos visa cost?
The Visa on Arrival costs 40 USD, paid at the border in clean, crisp US dollar notes. The e-Visa is paid online by card. The fee table lists the e-Visa, extensions, overstays and other charges.
Ready to Get Your Laos Travel Visa
If you have more questions, call the numbers below and we’ll help you get sorted.
CALL HOTLINE
Call (Laos) +85 620 223 833 26 Call (Thai) +66 930 636 603
