In this Laos Tourist Visa Guide, we’ll show you all the different options available to obtain a tourist visa for entering Laos, depending on your nationality. We recommend reading our full Laos Travel Guide before visiting to get familiar with customs & traditions in Laos. Getting a visa to visit Laos is straightforward and nothing to worry about. These are the main options:
➡️ Visa on Arrival (VOA)
➡️ eVisa (electronic visa online)
➡️ Embassy or Consulate Visa
➡️ Visa-free entry (visa exemption)
Planning to stay in Laos for more than 90 days? Read our complete Long-Term Visa Guide, covering retirement visas, digital nomad visas, work visas and spouse visas.
For most visitors the Laos Tourist Visa on Arrival is a convenient option to stay in Laos as a tourist. The official Visa type for Tourists in Laos is “T-B3“. It is available at several entry points into Laos and you can stay in Laos for 30 Days. The procedure to obtain a Visa on Arrival is quite simple: Once arriving at the border, there are signs pointing you in the right direction, where to fill out the necessary paperwork for the Visa on Arrival. You will get a form from the Immigration Officer, which you have to complete with your basic information (name, passport number, hotel address, phone number, etc.). If you want to save some time, you can also fill out the Visa on Arrival form before arriving.
1) Arrival & Go to the Visa on Arrival Counter: Before immigration, follow the sign to the Visa on Arrival counter.
2) Fill out form: You will be handed or can pick up the Visa on Arrival Form and Arrival/Departure Card (often given on the plane already).
3) Submit the Following: completed form, Passport (valid at least 6 months with one blank page), 1 Passport sized picture (if you don’t have a picture, Immigration will charge a small extra fee of $ 2-3 USD), Visa fee in Cash
4) Wait for your name to be called. Wait nearby until they return your passport with the visa sticker inside.
5) Proceed to Immigration Checkpoint. The Visa is a sticker, wich fills out a whole page of your passport + you will get an entry stamp for 30 days.
Are there any Visa Requirements? No. Simply pay for your visa and you will get it. There are no requirments, such as an onward ticket, proof of accommodation or proof of funds to stay in Laos (as other blogs wrongly writing about!). At least not for the citizen who are eligible for Visa on Arrival or eVisa. Other nationalities need to check before coming.
This is something, which should usually be answered straight forward, but it is Laos and prices can vary a bit, depending on the point of entry. The official price of the VOA is $ 40 (Fourty USD). It can be paid in cash only! Also make sure that the banknotes must be in perfect condition, otherwise the Immigration Police will not take them. Furthermore, the banknotes can not be older than from 2009, so make sure they were issued after 2009.
If you don’t have US Dollars, paying in Thai Baht is usually also possible. But then you have to accept the bad exchange rate, set by the Lao Immigration. If you are paying in THB, the price will be between 1800 – 2000 THB (~ $ 53 – $ 59), which is noticeably higher than the official $ 40. If you are coming from a land border with Vietnam (via Lao Bao border), the visa fee can also be paid in Vietnamese Dong (VND), but same here: they will set the price and you will overpay.
💳 Money Tip Laos & Southeast Asia
If you’re traveling through Southeast Asia, we recommend carrying some USD cash for visa fees or exchanging money. We personally use Wise to withdraw cash from ATMs across the region, including Laos, because exchange rates are usually some of the best. Since Lao Kip (LAK) isn’t supported in the Wise app, simply keep your balance in USD or any other currency and withdraw LAK after arriving in Laos.
Laos Visa on Arrival is available at 3 International Airports in Laos and 10 Land Borders.
➡️ Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane – Nong Khai): One of the most popular border crossings into Vientiane and central Laos.
➡️ Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet – Mukdahan): Convenient for travelers heading to Savannakhet and central Laos.
➡️ Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge III (Thakhek – Nakhon Phanom): The main border crossing for travelers heading to Thakhek and Khammouane Province.
➡️ Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge IV (Houayxay – Chiang Khong): Popular among travelers entering northern Laos and continuing toward Luang Prabang.
➡️ Chong Mek – Vang Tao (Champasak – Ubon Ratchathani): A convenient entry point for southern Laos and Pakse.
➡️ Khamsavath Railway Station (Vientiane – Thailand): International railway entry point for travelers arriving in Vientiane by train from Thailand.
➡️ Nong Nok Khiene (Veun Kham, Laos) – border crossing from/to Cambodia near 4000 Islands in Southern Laos
➡️ Lao Bao, Vietnam – Dansavanh, Laos. Only land border crossing with Vietnam, where VOA is available.
➡️ Boten – Mohan (Luang Namtha – Yunnan): The main overland border crossing between China and Laos, offering Visa on Arrival and access to northern Laos from Yunnan Province.
Laos has four international airports and numerous land border checkpoints where travelers can enter the country, but not all of them offer Visa on Arrival or accept the Laos eVisa. Here’s the full breakdown, entry point by entry point.
There are many more border crossings with Laos’ neighboring countries, but most of them are local-only crossings not open to international travelers. We’ve left those out and only listed the checkpoints foreigners can actually use.
| Laos Entry Checkpoint | Border / Type | Province | Visa on Arrival | eVisa | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Airports 🇱🇦 | |||||
| Wattay International Airport | International Airport | Vientiane Capital | ✅ | ✅ | 24 Hours |
| Luang Prabang International Airport | International Airport | Luang Prabang | ✅ | ✅ | 24 Hours |
| Pakse International Airport | International Airport | Champasak | ✅ | ✅ | 04:00–23:30 |
| Savannakhet International Airport | International Airport | Savannakhet | ❌ | ❌ | 06:30–17:30 |
| Thailand–Laos Border Checkpoints 🇹🇭🇱🇦 | |||||
| Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge I | Nong Khai, Thailand – Vientiane, Laos | Vientiane Capital | ✅ | ✅ | 06:00–22:00 |
| Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge II | Mukdahan, Thailand – Savannakhet, Laos | Savannakhet | ✅ | ✅ | 06:00–22:00 |
| Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge III | Nakhon Phanom, Thailand – Thakhek, Laos | Khammouane | ✅ | ❌ | 06:00–22:00 |
| Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge IV | Chiang Khong, Thailand – Houayxay, Laos | Bokeo | ✅ | ✅ | 06:00–22:00 |
| Vang Tao International Border Checkpoint | Chong Mek, Thailand – Vang Tao, Laos | Champasak | ✅ | ❌ | 06:00–20:00 |
| Khamsavath Railway Station | Thailand–Laos Railway | Vientiane Capital | ✅ | ✅ | According to train operations |
| Vietnam–Laos Border Checkpoints 🇻🇳🇱🇦 | |||||
| Dansavan International Border Gate | Lao Bao, Vietnam – Dansavan, Laos | Savannakhet | ✅ | ❌ | 07:00–22:00 |
| Na Phao International Border Checkpoint | Cha Lo, Vietnam – Na Phao, Laos | Khammouane | ❌ | ❌ | 07:00–20:00 |
| Phou Keua International Border Checkpoint | Bo Y, Vietnam – Phou Keua, Laos | Attapeu | ❌ | ❌ | 07:00–19:00 |
| China–Laos Border Checkpoints 🇨🇳🇱🇦 | |||||
| Boten International Checkpoint | Mohan, China – Boten, Laos | Luang Namtha | ✅ | ✅ | 07:30–20:30 |
| Boten Railway Station | China–Laos Railway | Luang Namtha | ❌ | ✅ | 06:30–22:00 |
| Cambodia–Laos Border Checkpoint 🇰🇭🇱🇦 | |||||
| Nong Nok Khiene International Border Checkpoint | Cambodia – Southern Laos | Champasak | ✅ | ❌ | 06:00–18:00 |
Visa availability: ✅ = available or accepted at this Laos entry point. ❌ = not available or accepted. Laos eVisa holders must enter through an officially designated eVisa port. Border opening hours and visa services can change, so travelers should verify current conditions before departure. Also please keep in mind, that we are trying our best to frequently update our website, but for most accurate information check the official websites.
Official Lao Immigration Websites can be found here:
https://immigration.gov.la/en/checkpoint
https://laoevisa.gov.la/index
Most of the nationalities worldwide can easily obtain a Visa on Arrival for Laos, but there are some countries who need an Embassy Visa instead. Updated List of Countries, NOT eligible for Lao VOA:
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, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
If your country is not on this List, you can get a Visa on Arrival to enter Laos for 30-Days. Passport holders from the mentioned countries (mostly african countries) need to contact the closest Lao embassy and need a sponsor letter to enter.
The Laos eVisa is an official electronic travel authorization that allows eligible travelers to apply for a tourist visa online before arriving in the country. It offers a convenient and faster alternative to the traditional Visa on Arrival, with approval typically granted within 3 business days. The eVisa is valid for entry through select international airports and land borders. This is the official Laos eVisa website: https://www.laoevisa.gov.la/index
With the eVisa you can enter Laos at certain entry points, as listed below:
Wattay International Airport, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 1 (Vientiane – Nong Khai), Luang Prabang International Airport, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 2 (Savannakhet – Mukdahan), Pakse International Airport, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 4 (Bokeo Province), Boten International Checkpoint, Boten Railway Station, Khamsavath Railway Station (Vientiane Capital)
The procedure of obtaining is self-explaining and straight forward. Just make sure you apply for it early enough, because the processing time is about 3 working days (weekends excluded).
1) Visit the official Laos eVisa Website https://www.laoevisa.gov.la/index
2) Click on “Apply eVisa” and fill out everything necessary (personal details, travel date, purpose of visit, etc.)
3) Upload Required Documents: A scanned of photographed copy of your passport, a passport-sized picture (jpg or png). Passport must be valid at least 6 months or more
4) Pay the Visa Fee Online: Fees vary by nationality but are generally $50–$60 USD. Accepted payment methods: Credit/Debit Card
5) Receive Confirmation & Processing Time: You’ll receive an application ID via email, Processing usually takes 3 business days, During peak times, allow for up to 5 days
6) Once approved, download and Print Your eVisa Approval Letter.
The eVisa fee is calculated based on your nationality. It varies between $ 35 – $ 50. For most countries it will be $ 50 though. So the eVisa option is slightly more expensive compared to obtaining a Visa on Arrival (VOA). The eVisa fee can also be calculated on the eVisa website. With eVisa you can save time and don’t need to stand in line waiting to fill out the paperwork at the Visa on Arrival counter. Usually the queues are not long, but waiting time can be longer during peak travel season in Laos (October – January). So if you want to choose the most convenient way and pay a bit extra, eVisa is the way to get your Laos Tourist Visa.
The official eVisa fee can be paid online using a debit or credit card, including the Wise debit card.
There are again citizen from certain countries, who can’t apply for an eVisa to enter Laos and must get an embassy or consulate visa instead. The List is basically the same as for Visa on Arrival and eVisa. If you’re country is on the following list, you can NOT apply for an eVisa:
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, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Obtaining a tourist visa from a Lao embassy or consulate abroad is a reliable option for travelers who prefer to have their visa secured before departure. The process usually takes 3 to 5 working days, depending on the location and workload of the embassy. At the consulates in Vietnam, you can get your visa within 24 hours (an express fee may apply).
Requirements typically include a completed application form, passport-sized photo, a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity) and sometimes proof of travel or accommodation, but this is very unlikely in Laos. This type of visa is ideal for travelers from countries not eligible for Visa on Arrival or eVisa or for those entering Laos at border crossings that do not accept eVisas or Visa on Arrival.
While not universally mandated, some Lao embassies may require applicants from the aforementioned countries who are not eligible for VOA or eVisa (mostly from African countries) to provide an invitation or sponsorship letter from a contact or organization in Laos. This letter serves as a formal invitation, indicating the purpose of the visit and affirming support during the stay. It’s advisable to contact the specific Lao embassy or consulate where you plan to apply to determine if such a letter is necessary.
As Laos is part of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), citizen from other ASEAN countries do not need any visa to enter Laos for a period of 30 or 15 days.
List of countries who can enter Laos without Visa-free for a period of 30 Days:
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillipines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Russia
List of countries that can enter Laos Visa-free for a period of 15 Days:
Japan, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Myanmar
The Visa on Arrival or eVisa is granted for a period of 30 Days. The Laos Tourist Visa is a Single Entry Visa, means if you leave Laos and come back you have to get a new one. For Multiple Entry Visa you have to apply at an Embassy / Consulate. If you like Laos so much and decide to stay longer than 30 Days, both eVisa an Visa on Arrival can be extended up to a maximum stay of 90 Days. So you can extend twice for another 30 Days, reaching a maximum of 90 Days. The Visa can be extended daily as well if you don’t need another full 30 days. After 90 Days you have to leave Laos and re-enter again if you wish. Then the process starts again (getting VOA, paying the visa fee, getting a 30 Days stamp).
Laos is not as strict as Thailand with their Visas. You can theoretically enter Laos as many times as you want on a Tourist visa, extend, leave and enter again.
The price for Visa Extension is 20.000 LAK (~ 1 USD) per Day + a service fee of 40.000 LAK (~ 1,80 USD). So the total costs of a 30 Days Visa Extension in Laos costs 640.000 LAK (~ 30 USD).
The Visa on Arrival or eVisa can be extended at any Immigration Office in Laos, which is usually located at the Provincial Police Station. The process of a Lao Tourist Visa Extension is straight forward.
The Visa on Arrival or eVisa can be extended at any Immigration Office in Laos, which is usually located at the provincial police station. The process of a Lao Tourist Visa Extension is straight forward:
1) Go to your nearest provincial Immigration Office at least 2-3 Days before your current Visa expires. Immigration Offices are closed on the weekends and holidays. Open from Monday – Friday 08:30 – 15:30, Lunch Break from 11:30 – 13:30.
2) Submit Passport and Extension Form (available at the Immigration Office). Sometimes the Immigration Officer will fill out the form for you and just ask where you currently stay and your phone number.
3) Pay the Visa Extension Fee of 20.000 LAK per Day + 40.000 LAK service fee. After paying you will get a slip, keep that!
4) Processing time is usually 1-2 Days. But sometimes it can take longer, depending on where you apply. They will tell you when you have to return to pick up your Passport. The process is so much smoother and faster compared to Thailand, where you sometimes waste many hours hanging around at an Immigration Office.
Official Immigration Website with information for Visa Extension: http://immigration.gov.la/en/service/1/
If you don’t want to extend your visa at an Immigration Office (for whatever reason), you can also just cross over into one of the neighbouring countries and come back to Laos (e.g. Thailand). Keep in mind that you have to pay for the Visa again once arriving in Laos (40 USD, passport sized photo, etc.). This is also possible when you reached the maximum stay of 90 days in Laos and want to restart the process again. Its convenient when you are at the border with Thailand, like Savannakhet, Thakek or Huay Xai.
As of 15 September 2026, Thailand changed its rules again. Entering Thailand with a Visa Exemption (not a Tourist Visa) through a land border is now limited to two crossings per calendar year. So if you’re planning to renew your Lao visa by crossing into Thailand, keep that in mind. Visa exemption in Thailand is also back to 30 Days, instead of 60 Days.
Thai immigration is now very strict about this, and the rule even applies to Lao residents with a Lao stay permit and work permit. Rules in Thailand keep changing, and enforcement has generally gotten much stricter for foreigners.
Laos, on the other hand, doesn’t care how many times you enter the country. If you want to stay in Laos long-term, it’s definitely worth getting a 12-month Lao Visa instead.
Sometimes it happens that you accidentally overstay your Visa. This should be avoided, but is not a big deal either. The fine for overstaying a Lao Tourist Visa is $ 10 / Day, which is much more expensive than extending the Visa at your nearest Immigration Police Office. Overstaying a Visa to many times can raise questions and extra money could be demanded. So follow the rules & laws in Laos and everything will be fine.
When you arrive by plane, an Arrival/Departure Card will be handed out in the plane. Fill out the Arrival Card when arriving in Laos and keep the other half of that paper for Departure. If you arrive on a land border, there will be no Arrival/Departure Card. Keep in mind, that at some land border crossings the Officials might demand a small “service fee” if you don’t have a passport sized picture.
There is also an overtime fee when you arrive after 4 pm at a land border. An overtime fee of 10.000 LAK (~ 0,5 USD) applies. If they ask more than that, you can friendly ask what it is, demand a payment slip and refuse extra payments. Remember to always be polite and don’t lose your patience.
For first timers in Laos, read our Laos Travel Guide about how to behave and what to do/what not to do. It is common that at some land borders like Mukdahan-Savannakhet, they ask for 100 THB or 200 THB, which also simply can be refused. It is a common thing, not only in Laos, to demand some small pocket money from Tourists. This usually only happens at land border crossing and not at airports.
The Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) is gradually replacing the traditional paper Arrival and Departure Card. It’s already required at Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport, and Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge I, and is being rolled out to the rest of the country’s checkpoints throughout 2026. If you’re entering through one of these four points, complete the free digital form within 3 days before arriving in Laos, and again within 3 days before leaving. After registration, you’ll get a QR code to show at immigration.
The LDIF is not a visa and doesn’t replace the Laos eVisa, Visa on Arrival, or any other visa requirement. Since the rollout is still ongoing, check the official immigration website before you travel to see whether it applies to your entry point. Official Lao Digital Immigration Form: Lao Department of Immigration
👉 Need mobile Data after arriving? Read our Best SIM Card in Laos Guide to compare Unitel, Lao Telecom and all the eSIM options before your trip.
Whether you choose the Visa on Arrival, the convenient eVisa, or apply at a Lao embassy, getting a tourist visa for Laos is a simple process for most travelers. The visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days, with the option to extend. Each method has its advantages, so the best choice depends on your nationality, travel plans, and preferred entry point. Make sure to check the latest visa rules before your trip to ensure a smooth arrival in Laos.
Most travelers need a visa to enter Laos. Depending on your nationality, you can get a Visa on Arrival, apply for an eVisa online, or obtain a visa from a Lao embassy or consulate before traveling. Citizens of several countries can enter Laos visa-free for a limited period.
The official Laos Visa on Arrival costs US$40 and should preferably be paid in US dollars in cash. The eVisa is slightly more expensive and generally costs between US$35 and US$50, depending on your nationality. Paying in a different currency, such as THB or VND, will be more expensive because of a bad exchange rate.
A Laos Visa on Arrival or eVisa initially allows you to stay for 30 days. According to the process described in this guide, the tourist visa can be extended in Laos, allowing a total stay of up to 90 days before you need to leave the country.
Yes. A Visa on Arrival or eVisa can be extended at an immigration office in Laos. The extension costs 20,000 LAK per additional day plus a 40,000 LAK service fee, and processing usually takes two to four days, depends on where you go through the extension process.
No. The standard Laos Visa on Arrival and eVisa are single-entry visas. Once you leave Laos, the visa ends and you need a new visa or another valid entry permission to return; multiple-entry visas require a different arrangement through an embassy or consulate.
Overstaying a Laos Tourist Visa currently carries a fine of US$10 per day. Since extending the visa legally is considerably cheaper, it is better to visit an immigration office before your permitted stay expires.
Yes, if you enter or leave Laos through Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport, or Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge I, you should complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) online within 3 days before arrival or departure. You will receive a QR code to present at immigration. The LDIF is free and does not replace your Laos visa or eVisa.
