Planning a trip to the Land of a Million Elephants? Excellent choice. Laos is laid-back, beautiful, and packed with culture. But before you can sip coffee in Luang Prabang or swim in the Kuang Si Waterfalls, you need to get past the border. Here is the quick, no-nonsense breakdown of how to handle the Laos Travel Visa.
⚡ At A Glance: The Basics of Laos Travel Visa
- Do I need a visa? Most likely, yes (unless you are from an ASEAN country, Japan, Switzerland, or Russia).
- Standard Duration: 30 Days.
- Cost: Between $30 and $45 USD (depending on your nationality).
- Passport Rule: Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining and one blank page.
The 3 Ways to Get Your Visa
There are three main ways to get into Laos. Choose the one that fits your travel style.
1. Visa On Arrival (The Most Popular)
This is the standard for most backpackers and travelers. You simply fly in or cross a major land border and get the visa right there.
- Where available: All international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse) and most “Friendship Bridges” (Thai-Lao borders).
- What you need:
- A filled-out application form (available at the counter).
- Two passport-sized photos (4x6cm). Note: If you don’t have photos, they will scan your passport photo for a small fee, usually $1-2.
- Cash in USD.
If you want to read more about Visa on Arrival
CLICK HERE to read The Blog
2. The Official e-Visa (The Planner’s Choice)
If you want to skip the paperwork at the airport, you can apply online before you leave home.
- Where to apply: Only use the official government site: laoevisa.gov.la.
- Processing time: Usually 3 working days.
- The Catch: The e-Visa is not accepted at every single border crossing. It works at major airports and the main Friendship Bridge (Vientiane), but check the list on the website if you are crossing at a remote land border.
If you want to read more about Visa on Arrival
CLICK HERE to read The Blog
3. Embassy Visa (The Old School Way)
You can visit a Lao embassy in your home country or a neighboring country (like Bangkok or Hanoi) to get the sticker in your passport beforehand.
- Why do this? Only necessary if you are entering via a very remote border crossing that doesn’t issue Visas on Arrival, or if you prefer having everything sorted weeks in advance.
⚠️ Crucial Tip: The “Crisp Dollar” Rule
This is the most important tip for Laos travel!
When paying for your Visa on Arrival, you must use new, crisp US Dollar bills.
Border officials are notoriously strict about the condition of the money. If your bills have:
- Small tears
- Ink marks
- Heavy creases
- Or look too old/worn
…they will likely reject them. You can usually pay in Thai Baht or Lao Kip as a backup, but the exchange rate they give you will be very poor, costing you significantly more.
Can I Extend My Stay?
Yes. If you fall in love with the sticky rice and sunsets, you can extend your tourist visa twice, for a maximum of 90 days. You can do this at the Immigration Office in Vientiane or Luang Prabang for roughly $2 USD per day.
