Laos Visa 2026: eVisa, Fees & Exemption List

Traveling to Laos and not sure what kind of visa you need?
This guide explains everything — visa exemption, eVisa, and Visa on Arrival, with eligibility, cost expectations, documents required, and how the process works step by step.

Whether you’re from France, the USA, Vietnam, Russia, or elsewhere, you’ll find clear answers here.

Let’s get into it 👇

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Do You Need a Visa for Laos in 2026?

The visa requirements for Laos depend on your nationality.
Some countries are visa exempt, some can get eVisa, and others use Visa on Arrival.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

🧾 Visa Requirements by Country (Feb 2026)

Country	Visa Required	Eligible for eVisa	Visa on Arrival	Notes
France	Yes	✔️	✔️	Common choice: eVisa in advance
United States	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa recommended
ASEAN Countries	❌	N/A	N/A	Visa exemption
Russia	❌	N/A	N/A	Visa exemption
United Kingdom	Yes	✔️	✔️	Both options available
Australia	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa recommended
Canada	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa recommended
Germany	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa recommended
Japan	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa recommended
India	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa available
China	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa available
Thailand	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa available
Malaysia	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa available
Philippines	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa available
Cambodia	Yes	✔️	✔️	eVisa available

*This table is based on current Embassy & Immigration info as of February 2026. Policies may change — always check official sources before travel.

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📌 Visa Exemption for Laos

Citizens of some countries can enter Laos without a visa for a limited time:

✈️ Visa Exemption Countries (2026)

• ASEAN Countries (no visa Required)
• Russia, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Switzerland, Luxembourg (no visa required)

These travelers can enter Laos with just a passport valid for at least 6 months.

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🖥️ eVisa for Laos — Apply Online

Official Lao Immigration Website to Apply: https://www.laoevisa.gov.la/apply
The eVisa is a modern and convenient option.
It’s available online and often processed within 2–3 business days.

🧰 What You Need

To apply for an eVisa:
✔ Passport photo (PNG or JPG)
✔ Scanned passport data page
✔ Arrival airport info (e.g., Wattay International Airport)
✔ Travel dates
✔ Payment method (credit/debit card)

💵 Estimated eVisa Fees (2026)

Nationality Group	eVisa Fee (Approx.)
United States / Canada / UK	$42–$52
EU Citizens (France, Germany, Spain, etc.)	$42–$52
Australia / NZ	$42–$52
Southeast Asia Nationals	$35–$45
Others	$42–$60

Note: Fees can vary slightly depending on processing service and bank conversions.

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✈️ Visa on Arrival — What to Expect

If you prefer not to get a visa in advance, you can get a Visa on Arrival at major entry points (airports or land borders). It will be cheaper than the evisa process.

🧾 What to Prepare

Before you arrive:
✔ Online pre-arrival form (recommended)
✔ Passport valid at least 6 months
✔ 1 passport photo (physical or digital)
✔ Cash in USD for the visa fee
✔ Completed arrival card upon landing

At the airport:

1. Follow signs for Immigration / Visa on Arrival
2. Stand in the queue for Visa on Arrival
3. Hand over passport + cash + photo
4. Officer takes your photo / fingerprints
5. You receive the visa sticker and proceed

💵 On Arrival Fees (Approx.)

Visa on Arrival fees (in USD cash):

Visa Type	Fee
Single Entry	$42–$50
Multiple Entry	$60–$70

Cash is usually required in USD — some airports also take other currencies, but USD is safest.

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🛬 Best Entry Points for Visa on Arrival

You can get a visa on arrival at:

• Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
• Pakse International Airport (Champasak)
• Luang Prabang Airport
• Some major land border crossings

Follow airport signs — kiosks are clearly marked usually on the right side after arrival.

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📆 Visa Timeline & Tips

✨ eVisa

✔ Apply at least 7 days before travel
✔ Typical processing: 2–3 days
✔ Print or save email confirmation

✈️ Visa on Arrival

✔ Arrive early (morning flights)
✔ Lines can vary — 5–40 minutes
✔ Have all paperwork and cash ready

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📢 IMPORTANT TIPS

• Always check official sources (Embassy site) before departure.
• Bring extra passport photos if possible.
• Save your eVisa confirmation email offline.
• Carry small USD bills (clean notes) for Visa on Arrival fees.

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🧠 Quick Summary (Who needs what?)

📍 Visa Exempt

• ASEAN Countries members, Russia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Mongolia, South Korea, Japan

📍 eVisa Available

• Most Western countries (EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia)

📍 Visa on Arrival

• Available for many nationalities, with fees, passport photo, and arrival procedures.

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