Traveling to Laos and not sure what you need? This guide makes the Laos visa simple: who can enter visa-free, who needs an eVisa or a Visa on Arrival, what it costs, and the one overland-border catch that trips up travelers coming from Vietnam. Check your country in the tool below, then read the essentials.
Whether you’re from France, the USA, Vietnam, Russia, or elsewhere, you’ll find clear answers here.
Updated for 2026
Do you need a visa for Laos?
Pick your passport country and see your options in one second.
📝 Everyone must fill the online Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) up to 3 days before arrival, and hold a passport valid 6+ months.
🚧 Coming overland from Vietnam? The Lao eVisa is not accepted at most Vietnam–Laos land borders (only Dansavan / Lao Bảo issues a visa on arrival). For other crossings, arrange your visa in advance. Getting to the border is easiest on 12Go.
Rules change — always confirm on the official portal laoevisa.gov.la before you book.
Who can enter Laos visa-free
Citizens of these countries don’t need any visa for a short stay — just a passport valid 6+ months:
- 30 days: all ASEAN nations (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei) plus Russia, South Korea, Mongolia and Timor-Leste.
- 14 days: Japan, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Myanmar.
Everyone else: eVisa vs Visa on Arrival
Not on the list above? You’ve got two easy options, and both give a 30-day stay (extendable once for another 30 days):
eVisa — apply online, before you go.
- Official portal only: laoevisa.gov.la.
- Fee: about $40–$50 (China and Vietnam pay less, around $35).
- Processing: roughly 3–5 business days — apply at least a week ahead.
- Best if you’re flying in: you arrive with your approval letter and skip the queue.
Visa on Arrival — sort it at the border.
- Available at major airports (Wattay/Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse) and some land crossings.
- Fee: about $40–$50 in USD cash, plus one passport photo (no photo? expect a small extra charge).
- Fine if you’d rather not apply online, but lines can run 5–40 minutes.
For most travelers flying in, the eVisa is the smoother choice. Either way, only use the official site — plenty of look-alike pages charge double.
The overland catch from Vietnam
This is the part most guides skip. The Lao eVisa is not accepted at most Vietnam–Laos land borders — only the Dansavan / Lao Bảo crossing issues a Visa on Arrival. At other crossings, travelers without a pre-arranged visa get turned away regularly. So if you’re going overland from Vietnam, either enter via a crossing that issues VOA or arrange your visa in advance at a Lao mission.
Doing it the easy way? Many travelers reach Laos by the Laos high-speed train or by bus — you can book cross-border transport on 12Go. And it’s worth landing online with an Airalo eSIM and covered with SafetyWing insurance.
Before you go — quick checklist
- Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF): everyone now fills this online up to 3 days before arrival — keep the QR code.
- Passport: valid at least 6 months, with a blank page.
- Onward travel: not always checked by immigration, but airlines may ask, so keep an exit ticket.
- Extending: extend once for 30 days at an immigration office (~$2/day). Overstaying costs about $10/day in fines.
Laos visa FAQ
Do US, UK or Australian citizens need a visa for Laos? Yes. None are visa-exempt, so they need an eVisa (apply on laoevisa.gov.la, ~$40–50, 3–5 business days) or a Visa on Arrival at major airports (~$40–50, USD cash).
How much does a Laos visa cost? Both the eVisa and Visa on Arrival run roughly $40–$50 depending on nationality (China and Vietnam pay around $35). Visa exemptions are free.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Laos? Yes, at major airports and some land borders — bring USD cash and a passport photo. But the eVisa is not valid at most Vietnam–Laos land crossings, so check your route first.
How long can I stay, and can I extend? Visas and exemptions give up to 30 days; eVisa/VOA visas can be extended once for another 30 days at an immigration office.
Do I need a photo for the visa? Yes, for both the eVisa (uploaded) and Visa on Arrival (printed). No photo at the border usually means a small extra fee.
Full Laos visa table (2026)
| Your situation | What you do |
|---|---|
| Visa-free, 30 days | ASEAN (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei), Russia, South Korea, Mongolia, Timor-Leste |
| Visa-free, 14 days | Japan, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Myanmar |
| eVisa or Visa on Arrival (30 days) | USA, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, and most other nationalities |
Always confirm on laoevisa.gov.la before booking — rules change.
Keep planning your Laos trip
- Laos High-Speed Train Guide: tickets, classes & tips
- Vietnam visa: do you need one?
- Travel Budget Calculator: how much will Laos cost?
- Cheapest countries to travel to
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🎁 Heading to Southeast Asia? Get our free Vietnam 7-day itinerary — budget, ATMs, SIM and packing, all in one PDF.national Airport)
📢 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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