Planning on exploring Laos’ lush jungles, ancient temples, or the picturesque Mekong River, but you don’t have a Laos eVisa?
Laos is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination. Although not as touristy as other Southeast Asian countries, Laos’ natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and relaxed atmosphere attract travelers who are looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience.
Before you set off on your travels, you’ll need to secure a Laos eVisa, which will give you the chance to explore Laos as a tourist.
In this article, we’ll cover what you need to know about the Laos eVisa, from what it is, to who is eligible and how you can apply for one.
The Laos eVisa is an electronic visa, meaning you will not need to stand in embassy queues and you can instead apply directly online!
It’s typically used for tourist purposes and it’s a single-entry visa that allows you to stay for up to 30 days once you arrive in Laos.
This visa is valid for 60 days once you receive it, in other words, you must enter Laos within 60 days from the date the eVisa was issued to you.
The requirements depend on your nationality and the type of eVisa you are applying for – tourist, business, etc.
Here are some documents and information required regardless of your circumstances:
Additional information that is useful to have when entering Laos is:
After completing your application, the Laos eVisa processing time can take up to three working days.
Three days is the minimum it takes for your visa to be processed, considering that you are eligible for one.
However, if the information you provide isn’t sufficient or your visa hasn’t been approved for any reason, it will take longer.
With the Laos eVisa you can only enter Laos through two entry points:
To enter Laos through other entry points, you will need a standard visa.
With Visa First, the Laos eVisa fee starts from €110.
People from many countries can apply for the Laos eVisa.
Citizens from certain countries don’t require a visa to enter Laos.
However, these countries can only stay in Laos for a period of time after which they will have to apply online or on arrival for a Laos visa.
Here is a list of these countries and how long they can stay in Laos without a visa:
| Country | Length of stay in Laos without visa |
|---|---|
| Brunei | 14 days |
| Cambodia | 30 days |
| Indonesia | 30 days |
| Japan | 15 days |
| Luxembourg | 15 days |
| Malaysia | 30 days |
| Mongolia | 30 days |
| Myanmar | 14 days |
| Philippines | 30 days |
| Russia | 30 days |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| South Korea | 30 days |
| Switzerland | 15 days |
| Thailand | 30 days |
| Vietnam | 30 days |
Note that it’s also possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Laos and most countries can obtain this visa.
You must apply for the Laos eVisa online before your travel to Laos.
Whereas, for the visa on arrival you don’t apply beforehand but instead travel to Laos and get issued a visa when you arrive there.
The other difference between both visa types is eligibility. This usually depends on the country you are from.
Applying for eVisa to Laos with Visa First is very easy and convenient! Here are the main steps in the Laos eVisa application:
When filling out the application you will need to provide personal information, passport details, and travel plans.
You will also need to scan and upload a copy of your passport and passport-sized photograph as per the specifications provided on the application.
Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive an eVisa approval letter via email, after which you should print a copy to present upon your arrival in Laos.
You can apply for Laos eVisa yourself, or with a trusted visa expert like Visa First.
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