Laos e-Visa guide

The basics

The Lao e-Visa is an online tourist visa. The official site states that, currently, only a tourist visa can be applied for through the e-Visa system. Applicants receive an Approval Letter by email, then collect the e-Visa sticker on arrival at a designated port.

Validity

Single entry only. The Approval Letter is valid for a maximum of 60 days after it is received.

Stay per entry

30 days from the date of arrival, according to the official FAQ

Where you apply

Online at laoevisa.gov.la

Fee

Amount not stated in the sources reviewed. The official site offers a fee calculator. The fee is non-refundable.

Who it's for

The e-Visa is for tourist travel. The official site states that the facility is available to a list of countries, and that only ordinary passports can be used. The country list was not included in the sources reviewed, so check the official list before applying.

The official FAQ states that all applicants, including children and infants, must have a visa to enter Laos.

How to apply

Official sources describe a three-step process, and the processing time is usually 3 working days after the application and full fee are received. It can be longer if the information is not accepted. The system only allows applications 5 days before the arrival date, and the arrival date should be no more than 60 days after the application date.

• Go to laoevisa.gov.la and click "Apply Now".
• Enter your email address and the security code, then enter the verification code sent to your email.
• Fill in personal information and travel details, and upload the required documents.
• Review and submit, then pay the fee online. The site lists VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Wechat Pay, Alipay and UnionPay.
• Download the Approval Letter from your email and print it. One copy is needed.
• At the arrival port, use the dedicated e-Visa lane and present your passport and Approval Letter. The e-Visa sticker is issued on arrival.
• You can check your application status on the official site using your application ID and passport number.

Documents

• Passport: must be an ordinary passport, valid for more than 180 days from the date of arrival. Upload a scan of the full bio page, including the two machine-readable lines at the bottom.
• Photograph: 4 x 6 cm, color, taken within the last 6 months, plain white background, no shadows, facing the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open.
• Additional documents may be required, according to the official FAQ.
• Payment of the non-refundable e-Visa fee.
• The Approval Letter, which the official site calls the key document for entry. Entry is denied without it.
• You must present the same passport used in the application. Failure to do so can lead to denial of entry.

Stay and extensions

The e-Visa stay permit is 30 days from arrival. The Approval Letter validity is only the window in which you may enter, and it is not related to the length of your stay.

The Department of Immigration states that a 30-day tourist visa can be extended once. The extension length and fee are not specified in the sources reviewed. Sources reviewed do not confirm limits on repeat entries.

Things to confirm

• Whether your nationality is on the official e-Visa eligibility list.
• The current e-Visa fee for your passport, using the official fee calculator.
• Extension length, fee and the number of extensions allowed. The Department of Immigration states a 30-day tourist visa can be extended once.
• That your planned crossing is one of the designated e-Visa ports. The official site lists nine: Wattay International Airport, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I, Luang Prabang International Airport, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II, Pakse International Airport, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV, Boten International Checkpoint, Boten Railway Station and Khamsavath Railway Station. Entering through an undesignated port requires a visa on arrival, and the e-Visa fee is non-refundable.
• Whether a digital arrival or departure form applies on your travel dates, with the Lao immigration authority.
• Processing times may be longer around Lao public holidays, according to the official site.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.