Laos Visa Requirements

"Guidelines to tourist visa for Laos"

"Laos visa requirements" was last updated on June 14, 2011
All information below is subject to change

laos visa requirements backpacking-tips-asia.com

Visa on Arrival



laos tourist visa laos visa stamp laos visa requirements
This is how a visa stamp looks like
All visitors (except Thais) must have a visa for Laos. Thailand is listed in the Lao Visa Exemption List, but this list is subject to change.

You can obtain visa on arrival for a period of 30 days at the three international airports (Wattay airport in Vientiane and Luang Prabang airport), and at all border crossings.

These are the Lao/Thai border crossings where you can get visa on arrival:

  • Chong Mek/Vang Tao

  • Savannakhet/Mukdahan

  • Tha Khaek/Nakhon Phanom

  • Vientiane/Nong Khai

  • Huay Xai/Chiang Khong

  • Voen Kham/Dom Kralor

How much does a
Laotian visa cost?

Visa cost depends on which country you come from. The price ranges from 20-42 USD dollars.

35 US dollars for US, UK and most of European nationalities like France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland etc (this is what I remember from the list), Swedish citizens 31 US dollars, 30 US dollars for Australia and 42 US dollars for Canadians.

Fees for Laos visa: Lao Embassy Visa Fees (opens in a new window -- you will be redirected to Lao embassy in Bangkok)

Laos visa requirements:

To apply, you will need:

  • Visa application form

  • 2 recent passport photos (I've only been asked for one photo at the Lao immigration, but it's handy to bring two passport photos)

  • Valid passport

  • Visa fee (in cash)

    You can pay in Thai baht, Lao kip or US dollars. But the exchange rate is better with $ than baht and kip.

Return to top

Visa Run

If you want to save time at the border, you can also apply for a Laos visa in:

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
15-17 Mao Tsetung Bld
PO BOX 19
Phnom Penh

Phone: (+855-23) 982632, 426441, 424781, (+855-15) 838968

Open: 08:00-11:30 and 14:00-17:00

Bangkok, Thailand
502,502/1-3 Soi Sahakarnpramoon
Pracha-Uthit Road
Wangthonglang
Bangkok 10310

Phone: (+66) 2539-66679-8

Open: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00

New Delhi, India
A 104/7, Parrmanand Estate
Maharani Bagh
New Delhi -- 110065

Phone: 011 41327352

Open: 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00

Return to top

Visa Extension

If you want to extend your visa, you can apply at the Immigration office in Vientiane (on Hatsady Road).

Price: $ 2 per day of extension

Other costs: 1000 Kip for the form, and $ 3 working fee

You can apply in the morning and get the visa in the afternoon. If you apply in the afternoon, you get the visa the next working day.

Maximum length of extension: usually 15 days

Opening hours: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00, close on Saturday and Sunday.

Overstaying your Lao Visa

If you overstay your visa, it will cost you 10 US dollars per day! OUCH!

Return to top

You're done with Laos Visa Requirements, where do you want to go next?

Back to Visa main page?

Thailand tourist visa?

Cambodia tourist visa?

Visa for India?

Need a Malaysia visa?

Want to know more about the border crossings?

Return from Laos Visa Requirements to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.





Plan your backpacking trip with these eBooks

Asia January 2012 Photo Winner
Photo of the Month Winner
  January 2012

"Life is a Beach - The Lingayen Gulf Luzon, the Philippines"

By Allan Militante
Baguio, the Philippines
Allan's website
New - February 2012 Asia Photo Contest
-- Submit Yours Now!

Connect with
Backpacking Tips Asia

Follow me on Twitter!
Follow GoBackpacker on Twitter

[?] Subscribe To
This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Add to Newsgator
Subscribe with Bloglines