Do You Need A Visa For Laos?

Visiting Laos is a popular place visit for backpackers and travelers. While it is not as popular as its neighbors like Thailand or Vietnam it does have unspoiled scenery, epic waterfalls, and amazing temples. So do you need a visa for Laos?

Yes, most people will need a visa to enter Laos. There are 2 ways to get a tourist visa which is either you can apply online on the official visa website which is run by the Lao government or get the visa on arrival at the border checkpoints. Expect to pay between $35 to $50 for the visa.

In this post, we will go through do you need a visa for Laos. Let’s get started!

Learn More About Laos

Do You Need A Visa For Laos?

Yes, most people will need a visa to enter Laos. You will need to check with the official Laos website to see if you are eligible. There are 2 ways to get a tourist visa. These are as follows.

Apply online on the official eVisa website which is run by the Lao government. Expect to pay around $50 to process the application.
Get the visa on arrival. Expect to pay around $35.

To get the visa, your passport needs to be valid for at least another six months.

Get Visa Online

You need to check if you are eligible for a Laos e-visa. You go to the eVisa website and complete the application. Then you pay a fee of between $35 to $50 depending on your nationality.

And then you wait about 3 days for them to process the application and they will email you the e-visa approval letter. Once you get the approval letter and download it. You have 60 days to use it.

When entering Laos there are only certain border checkpoints where it can be used. These are as follows.

Wattay International Airport.
Pakse International Airport.
Luang Prabang International Airport.
Thai Friendship Bridge II in Savannakhet.
Thai Friendship Bridge I in Vientiane.

Visa On Arrival

You need to check if you are eligible for a Laos visa on arrival. When you arrive at the border checkpoint in Laos, go to the immigration visa counter that issues the visas. You will need to have proof of hotel reservation and passport-size photos. This should only take a few minutes.

Then you pay a fee of $35 and you get a 30-day visa. When entering Laos there is a lot of border checkpoints where you can get a visa on arrival. You need to check the official website.

How Much Is A Laos Visa On Arrival?

Visas on arrival cost around $35 but the budget for about $50 as prices overtime do increase depending on nationality.

Can You Get A Laos Visa Online?

Yes, there is an eVisa website service available if you are eligible for an online visa. The eVisa is a single-entry online visa that allows a maximum stay of 30 days in Laos and is valid for 60 days from the date of approval.

How Long Can Foreigners Stay In Laos?

The tourist visa generally allows people to Laos for 30 days. You can extend your tourist visa up to an additional 60 days. There is a small fee when you extend the visa.

Is It Safe To Travel To Laos?

Yes, Laos is a safe place to visit but as long as travelers use common sense. There are odd reports of petty theft, and bag snatching but these can be avoided by being careful with your belongings. You do need to be vigilant.

How Long Do You Need In Laos?

2 to 3 weeks is enough time to explore the main cities and main cultural sites such as the temples and enjoy the unspoiled jungle scenery.

Is Laos Cheap?

Laos is a little bit more expensive than its neighbors such as Thailand and Vietnam. Generally, anything imported is expensive but the prices are similar to what you would pay in Thailand or Vietnam.

Is There A Beach In Laos?

Laos is landlocked with no coastline or beaches but the Mekong River goes through Laos there can be sandbanks.

USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES

Book Accommodation

Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.

Booking Flight

Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.

Booking Transportation & Things To Do

Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.

Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.

Wrapping Up

Finally, most people will need a visa to enter Laos. There are 2 ways to get a tourist visa which is either you can apply online on the official visa website which is run by the Lao government or get the visa on arrival. Expect to pay between $35 to $50 for the visa.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on do you need a visa for Laos has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.