Laos
Lao People's Democratic Republic
At a glance
Laos visa & entry requirements
Whether you need a visa for Laos depends on your nationality. Here’s the entry picture at a glance, with official links and a way to check the exact rule for your passport.
Short-stay tourist entry to Laos, across 198 nationalities in our dataset. Your own requirement depends on your passport — check it below.
Official sources
Last checked 2026-07-16
Good to know
- Laos issues a tourist eVisa through the official government portal laoevisa.gov.la, operated by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Apply online in three steps: submit your details and upload documents, pay the fee, then download the eVisa Approval Letter.
- The eVisa Approval Letter is the key entry document — present it on arrival to obtain your eVisa sticker. Entry is denied without it.
- The eVisa can only be used to enter through designated ports, including Wattay (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse international airports, the Lao–Thai Friendship Bridges I, II and IV, Boten international checkpoint, and the Boten and Khamsavath railway stations.
- The eVisa fee is non-refundable and is calculated for your specific nationality during the online payment step. eVisa eligibility is limited to the list of countries published on the portal.
- Apply only through the official government portal (laoevisa.gov.la); check the portal or a Lao embassy for whether your nationality is visa-exempt or eligible for visa on arrival.
Been to Laos already?
Scratch it off and the sheet keeps the receipt — what your passport needed to get in.
Scratch Laos in →Do you need a visa for Laos?
Pick your passport and get the exact entry rule for Laos — visa-free, visa on arrival, e-Visa or apply in advance.
Staying online in Laos
- Use home banking & apps that block foreign IP addresses
- Reach sites & services that may be blocked locally
- Encrypt hotel, café & airport WiFi
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of 15 countries can currently enter Laos visa-free for short tourist stays, while others need a visa on arrival, an e-Visa or a visa arranged in advance. Use the visa checker to see the rule for your passport.
Fees vary by visa type and nationality. When we have indicative figures for Laos they’re shown above, but they’re compiled from third-party sources — always confirm the current fee on the official government site before you apply.
Start on Laos’s official government entry or e-Visa page (linked above when available). Check which visa type fits your trip, prepare a passport valid for your whole stay and any required documents, and apply well before you travel.
Power & plugs
Laos runs on 230V with plug types A, B, C, E, F. Most chargers work with a simple plug adapter.
Laos uses 2 incompatible socket families, but one universal adapter handles them all — you still only pack one.
Full power guide for LaosLocation
Light & dark
Vientiane swings from 11-hour winter days to 13 hours of summer light. Today the sun sets at 18:02.
Build a packing plan tailored to Laos, its weather and your trip.