Almost everyone needs a visa to visit Laos. The good news is that many nationalities are able to apply for visas-upon-arrival at certain international airports and border crossings in Laos. Make sure that you are able to receive a visa on arrival, or else risk being turned away at immigration.

Who can get a visa upon arrival in Laos?

Visa-free entry to Laos

• ASEAN countries
• Russia
• Mongolia
• Denmark
• Finland
• Japan
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Brunei

Visa upon arrival in Laos

Most nationalities can apply for a visa upon arrival at any of Laos’ international airports and most land border crossings.

• USA
• UK
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• China
• Brazil
• India
• and many others

The visa application is only one page long and is processed as you pass through immigration. The visa fee is between $30 and $45, with nearly every nationality being required to pay $35. The visa fee is payable in USD only, so make sure that you’ve prepared the proper currency. A passport photo is required to apply for a visa, but they can take a photo of you at the airport for an additional $1.

Apply for a visa in advance

Holders of passports from certain nationalities are required to apply for a visa in advance at the nearest embassy. If you are already traveling in Southeast Asia, your best bet is to visit the Laotian embassy in Bangkok, where a visa costs around 1500 Thai Baht, and can usually be processed in one day.

• Holders of Turkish passports, among others are required to apply for a visa in advance

If you are unsure whether your passport entitles you to a visa on arrival, check the official list on the government’s immigration department website. >>http://www.immigration.gov.la/visas.html