How To Apply For A Laos Visa: E-visa Online And Visa On Arrival

When planning your trip to Laos, the first question to address is whether a visa is required to enter the country and how to apply for an online visa: Laos e-visa. Laos is a beautiful country with wild nature, temples rich in Buddhist culture, and the "land of a million elephants" awaits your discovery. The article below is a complete guide to help you easily obtain your Laos e-visa.

I. What is Laos e-visa ?

Laos now allows citizens of most countries to obtain an e-visa for entry into the country. With the exception of visa-exempt countries, citizens of other nations (including America, England, Australia, Canada,...) are required to apply for a valid Laos e-visa before entering, even for a short transit.

The Laos e-visa is increasingly popular among international travelers due to its speed and convenience. You can easily apply for a Laos e-visa from home, unlike the traditional visa process. Laos offers only one type of e-visa for tourists, designed for vacations in Laos or visits to friends or family.

II. What is the official website of Laos e-visa ?

As mentioned above, the Laos e-visa allows you to apply online from the comfort of your home. Simply visit the official Laos e-visa website here:  laoevisa.gov.la. 

This official site is an online platform for foreigners wishing to apply for a Laos e-visa. Other websites you might find are unofficial platforms. Therefore, make sure to verify the website you are using before submitting your electronic visa application.

III. What is the validity of a Laos e-visa ?

A Laos e-visa approval letter is valid for entry for up to 60 days after you receive it. It allows a single entry and a stay of up to 30 days from your arrival date. These are two separate periods: you must enter Laos before the approval letter expires, while your permitted stay begins when you arrive. Check the expiry date printed on your approval letter before travelling.

Processing normally takes three working days after a complete application and payment, but may take longer. Apply well in advance.

IV. Who is eligible to apply for a Laos e-visa?

Currently, Laos only allows the following countries to apply for an electronic visa. Countries not included in this list must apply for a traditional visa. Please refer to this article: Laos Visa.

Here is the list of countries eligible for the Laos e-visa:

V. What is the cost of a Laos e-visa?

The cost for a Laos e-visa for the mentioned countries depends on your nationality and is shown on the official portal (laoevisa.gov.la) before you pay. Fees change, so always check the amount there rather than on third-party websites, which add their own service charges. You can make the payment online using a Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB, American Express card, or WeChat Pay. Once the payment is completed, your Laos e-visa application will be submitted, and you only need to wait for the results of the e-visa.

Check the current fee for your passport nationality using the official Lao eVisa fee calculator before applying. Bank charges are additional, and the eVisa fee is non-refundable

VI. Which ports allow foreigners to enter Laos with an e-visa?

Currently, only 8 entry points accept the use of the e-visa for entry into Laos, which are:

1. Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital)
2. Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane Capital)
3. Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang Airport)
4. Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province)
5. Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province)
6. Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province)
7. Boten International Checkpoint (Luang Namtha Province)
8. Boten Railway Station (Luang Namtha Province)

VII. What are the steps to apply for a Laos e-visa ?

The process for applying for a Laos e-visa is quite simple and fast. Here are the 3 main steps to follow:

Step 1: Fill out the form and provide the necessary documents:

• First, go to the Laos e-visa website: laoevisa.gov.la.
• Click on "Register Now," then enter your email address and the security code.
• The Laos e-visa system will send you a verification code via email.
• Enter the verification code to receive the link to the Laos e-visa application form.
• Complete the personal information, details of your trip to Laos, and provide the required documents (color scans in the requested format), including:

1. The passport bio page with photo (including the MRZ zone - the 2 lines at the bottom, passport valid for at least 6 months after the entry date)
2. A passport-sized photograph (4x6 cm) taken within the last 6 months, meeting ICAO criteria.

Step 2: Review your application form, then choose the online payment method for the Laos e-visa fee.

You will be responsible for the information provided in the Laos e-visa application. If your details are incorrect or do not meet the criteria, you will receive an email asking you to correct your application.

Step 3: Wait for your application to be processed, then receive and download the Laos e-visa approval letter.

The Laos e-visa will be sent to your email. You will need to print a copy to use upon entering Laos. If there are any errors in your e-visa information, you should immediately contact Laos e-visa at [email protected].

VIII. How to check your Laos e-visa status?

Your Laos e-visa application will be processed within 3 days from the submission of the application and payment. This processing time does not include Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. If your information does not meet the criteria set by the Laos Government, the processing time for the e-visa may be extended.

You can check the status of your Laos e-visa via this link after submitting your application. You will receive an ID for your file. Use this ID and your passport number to check your e-visa status. The Laos e-visa approval letter, once processed, will be sent directly to the email you provided in the application.

IX. How to use e-visa to enter Laos?

Once you arrive at one of the entry points accepting the Laos e-visa, you must always carry a copy of your e-visa approval letter and follow these instructions:

• Go to the immigration area and join the line designated for e-visas.
• Wait for your turn, then present your passport and approval letter.
• Get final immigration approval and enter Laos.

Other ways to enter Laos: visa on arrival, exemptions and embassy visas

The e-visa is not the only option. Depending on your nationality, you can also get a visa on arrival, apply at a Lao embassy or consulate, or enter without a visa at all. Entry rules change regularly, so always confirm the current situation with official Lao sources before you travel.

Who does not need a visa?

As a member of ASEAN, Laos allows citizens of other ASEAN countries to visit without a visa, and it also grants visa-free stays to some other countries under bilateral agreements. The length of the visa-free stay depends on your nationality and the list changes over time, so check whether your passport is currently exempt and for how long. If you plan to stay longer than your visa-free period, you will need a visa on arrival, an e-visa or an embassy visa.

Laos visa on arrival

Most travellers who are not visa-exempt can get a visa on arrival at Laos' international airports and at many international land crossings with Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Myanmar. Smaller crossings may have shorter opening hours, so arrive early, and check before you travel that your chosen crossing issues visas on arrival. Citizens of a small number of countries cannot use either the visa on arrival or the e-visa and must apply in advance at an embassy.

At the visa counter, have ready:

• a passport valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date, with blank pages;
• the arrival visa form, handed out on the plane or at the checkpoint, filled in and signed;
• passport photos in 4x6 cm format (if you have none, photos can sometimes be taken on the spot for an extra charge);
• the address of your accommodation in Laos;
• proof of sufficient funds and an onward or return ticket;
• cash in US dollars for the visa fee, which varies with nationality.

Processing is usually quick at major airports and can take longer at land borders. If you plan to cross at a busy Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, getting the e-visa beforehand saves queuing.

Applying at a Lao embassy or consulate

If you are not eligible for the e-visa or visa on arrival, or want to stay longer, contact the nearest Lao embassy or consulate, submit the application form with the documents they request, and pay the fee in person or by mail as instructed.

Extending your stay

A tourist visa can be extended at immigration offices in major cities such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and Phonsavan. Apply before your visa expires: overstaying leads to daily fines payable when you leave the country.

X. Important notes of Laos e-visa

• The e-visa fee is not refundable, so double-check every detail before paying.
• Only ordinary passports can be used for an e-visa application.
• Keep a photocopy of your passport and visa separately from the originals, or an electronic copy on your phone, in case of loss.

In fact, applying for a Laos e-visa is very simple and quick for international tourists. Once you have a good grasp of the essential information about the Laos e-visa, entering this beautiful country is straightforward. Here are a few key points to remember about the Laos e-visa:

In conclusion, applying for a Laos e-visa is a common method for international tourists wishing to explore the Land of a Million Elephants. We hope this article has provided you with all the necessary information regarding the Laos electronic visa. If you have further questions, feel free to contact Autour Asia, your Asia agency. Our travel advisors will assist you in planning a memorable trip to Southeast Asia.