🛂 Types of Visas for Laos

• • Visa on Arrival (VOA)

• • eVisa (Electronic Visa Online)

• • Embassy or Consulate Visa

1. Visa on Arrival (VOA)

• • Arrival & Go to the Visa on Arrival Counter: Before immigration, follow the sign to the Visa on Arrival counter.

• • 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).

• • 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

• • Wait for your name to be called. Wait nearby until they return your passport with the visa sticker inside.

• • 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.

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.

Visa on Arrival has 3 international Airports in Laos and 10 Land Borders:

Wattay International Airport Vienttiane 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)

Read more about Visa on Arrival

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2. eVisa for Tourist – An Online alternate to Laos Visa

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 is a way more convenient and faster way to the Visa on Arrival (VOA) with getting approved usually taking 3 business days.

What’s even better is that all this can be done online on your own mobile devices, so its easily done on the go!

Procedure for Laos tourist eVisa

The procedure is easier than it would be easier than VOA, just make sure you apply for it early enough due to the processing time to be about 3 working days (Weekends excluded)

1. • Visit the official Laos eVisa Website https://www.laoevisa.gov.la/index

• • Click on “Apply eVisa” and fill out everything necessary (personal details, travel date, purpose of visit, etc.)

• • 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

• • Pay the Visa Fee Online: Fees vary by nationality but are generally $50–$60 USD. Accepted payment methods: Credit/Debit Card

• • 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

• • Once approved, download and Print Your eVisa Approval Letter.