The entry procedures for Laos in 2024

Laos is a country located in Southeast Asia, with a rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes and warm hospitality. Traveling to Laos offers the opportunity to experience diverse traditions.

Today, Asia King Travel provides you with more information about the necessary documents to enter Laos to make your trip smoother.

Laos is a country located in Southeast Asia (Cre: peachananr)

Necessary documents for entering Laos

Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Laos. and have at least two blank pages for the entry stamp. 

Visa Laos

The Laos visa policy dictates that visa requirements may vary depending on the nationality of the traveler, the purpose of the visit, and the duration of stay they intend in Laos. 

• If you are a citizen of a country: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, and Vietnam.  You can enter Laos without a visa for a certain period (usually 30 days).
• If you are not eligible for visa exemption or want to stay in Laos longer than the visa-free period, you need to apply for a visa in advance. You can apply for a visa at the Lao Embassy or Consulate in your home country, or get a visa on arrival when you enter Laos.

Necessary documents for entering Laos (Cre: bestpricetravel)

Currently, about 160 different countries worldwide have citizens eligible to apply for Laos eVisa entirely online. The electronic visa is typically approved within 3 business days and allows for short-term tourist visits to Laos. 

• When arriving: You can apply for a visa upon arrival at international airports and border checkpoints.
• Online: You can submit an application for an electronic visa online on the website of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• At the Lao Embassy or Consulate in your home country, for those who are not eligible to apply online or prefer to do so upon arrival. 

Read more: The best attractions for a 7-day tour in Laos

Lao visa procedures in 2024 

To apply for a Laos visa, all applicants must submit certain documents depending on the purpose of travel, type of visa, and your nationality. The following documents are required for all foreign visa applicants:

Laos eVisa

Travelers can follow these steps to apply for a Laos eVisa:

• Fill out the visa application form: Travelers must complete the electronic form accurately with their personal and travel information.
• Submit the necessary documents: Documents, including a personal photo, a copy of the passport's biographic page, and a copy of the passport's biometric data page, can be uploaded directly through the online portal.
• Pay the visa fee: The visa fee can be paid online using a valid credit or debit card. 

Official website of the Lao government (Cre: https://laoevisa.gov.la/)

Lao eVisa can be used to enter 8 international ports: 

• Wattay International Airport (Vietiane Capital)
• Lao - Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vietiane Capital) 
• Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang Province) 
• Lao - Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province) 
• Pakse International Airport (Champasak Province)
• Lao - Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province) 
• Boten International Checkpoint (Luang Namtha Province) 
• Boten Railway Station (Luang Namtha Province)

Visa on Arrival

Travelers can follow these steps to complete the traditional Laos visa application:

• Fill out the visa application form: The visa application form must be accurately filled out and included in the application package. A completed visa application form for Laos, with photo attached and signed.
• Gather the necessary documents: Applicants must include all required documents for their specific visa type, 02 passport-sized photos.
• Submit the application: The application can be submitted to the relevant overseas representation of Laos (embassy or consulate).
• Pay the visa fee: Visa fee payment upon arrival in Laos, payable in US dollars or Lao Kip (the fee varies based on the applicant's nationality and the current regulations)
• Wait for the visa decision: If approved, the applicant will receive their passport with the visa label inside.

In some cases, applicants may also be required to have an invitation letter or a visa approval letter from the Laos immigration authorities. 

The traditional Laos visa application (Cre: bestpricetravel)

Follow these steps to apply for a visa on arrival in Laos:

• Step 1: Go to the designated visa on arrival counter. 
• Step 2: Present all the necessary documents prepared as mentioned above to the Laos immigration officer. 
• Step 3: Wait for the immigration officer to process your application and issue your visa. 
• Step 4: Receive the visa on arrival from the Lao immigration officer. 

Note: You need to check all the information on your visa carefully before leaving.

Laos Visa Extension

If your plans change or you simply want to stay in Laos longer, you can extend your visa at the immigration office in Vientiane at a cost of 20,000 kip (about 2.50 USD) per day if you apply on or before the expiration date. However, if you do so after your visa has expired, you will be fined 10 USD per day for the days you overstay.

Laos Visa Extension (Cre: wt_bright)

Some additional documents may be helpful

Here are some additional documents that may be helpful to have on hand:

• Onward travel ticket: Immigration officials may require proof that you have a ticket out of Laos.
• Travel insurance: While not mandatory, travel insurance is highly recommended. It can help cover medical expenses, trip cancellation, and other unexpected costs. 
• To avoid scams: You should use and work with official channels such as government websites, embassies, or reliable third parties. Carefully check the visa requirements and fees on the government's official websites before submitting your application. Alternatively, prepare cash to pay the fee if customs require it.  

Conclusion 

Hopefully, with the information shared about the necessary documents for entry procedures into Laos, you are ready for your journey to explore this fascinating country, a land filled with many captivating stories. 

Read more: Laos tours 5 days