Laos Visas

A visa is required for entry to Laos

Citizens of the UK, EU Countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States require a visa to visit Laos.

All other nationalities should check with the Laos Embassy in their country of residence or with their Selective Asia consultant.

Obtaining a visa

You can obtain the visa at the international airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse as well as at some official international land border crossings*. The cost of the visa is approx $35 to be paid in cash. Several land borders do not issue visas and your guide will be able to advise you of this.
Please note: the amount can vary from one nationality to another and you should expect to pay a small surcharge on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays (approx $1).

*Please check with your consultant whether it is possible to arrange your visa on your choice of land border arrival point. Many do not have the facilities to issue visas and without one you will not be able to enter Laos under any circumstances.

The visa allows you to travel in Laos for 30 days. It is a single entry visa in the form of a stamp entered into your passport. You will need one clear page and your passport should be valid for at least another six months. You will also need two passport sized photographs of a good likeness.

A full passport is required, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your departure from Laos.

Later this year visitors will be able to enter both Cambodia and Thailand with one single visa. Officials from the two countries will meet again soon to decide on the fees and how it will be divided. This initiative is likely to expand to include other countries in South-East Asia, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China.