Laos Visa Guide

About Laos

Lao is the only landlocked country and one of the socialist states of South-East Asia. This country is located at the heart Indochinese Peninsula and shares the border with Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Although Muong Lao (Laos) is a multi-ethnic country the local "Lao People" make about the 55 per cent of the total population of the country. For a long time, people have been overlooking this country. But in recent time this country has been making quite of progress while making a reputation of a developing country across the globe. In 2018, Laos had the fourth highest Growth Domestic Product (GDP- PPP) after Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand respectively. The rise in tourism and developments to support the tourism industry is one of the primary reasons behind the growth.

Why is Laos Visa Needed?

As per the Laws of the country for a visitor, it is compulsory to obtain a visitor visa. With the visa, the visitor also must carry a valid passport that should be valid at least for six months. The visitor can avail a visa for 30 days which then can be extended at the Immigration office in the capital of the country Vientiane. A visitor can also extend their visitor’s visa with the help of their respective agencies.

Laos Visa Eligibility

Obtaining a visa for Laos depends on the nationality of the visitor. The visitor can have their visas prepared in advance or they can obtain their visas on the arrival as well. Citizens of about 29 countries including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Nigeria, Turkey, Zimbabwe etc. are not eligible for the visa at arrival. And so, for the citizens of any of the countries mentioned on the list must obtain a visa prior to their visit. Indian citizens are eligible for both advanced visitors visa as well as Visa in arrival.

Laos Visa Application Process

Applying for a visa in advance and travelling with pre-approved visa reduces the hassle of standing in ques and makes the travel experience hassle-free and fun. For a traveller who is visiting a different land, it is important to understand some basic laws, rules and regulations of the country they are visiting. This way they can save them self from the future inconvenience.

How to Apply for Laos Visa

If a visitor wants to apply for a Laos visa, he can visit the Laos embassy in their country, collect all the necessary details. Obtain a visa form, fill in all the details and make sure the information given is authentic. Submit the visa form and attach all the necessary documents like recent passport size photograph, a Xerox copy of the first two pages of the passport.

For a visitor who wants to obtain a visa on arrival, you just need to make sure that they are carrying all the documents that are required so that the process can be executed easily without any hassle. The visitor can get a visa from the locations that are mentioned in the next section.

Where to Apply for Laos Visa?

Visitors can obtain a visa on arrival at the following locations at any time of the day:

• Wattay International Airport, Laos
• Pakse International Airport, Laos
• Savanna khet Airport, Laos
• Luang Prabang Airport, Laos

To obtain the visa form for tourist or transit visa, the traveller can visit the Laos Embassy in India that is in New Delhi at:

Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

S – 420, Greater Kailash, Part II

New Delhi – 110 048

For a visa applicant; it is important to note that  timing for visa submission is  between 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM & 2 PM – 4 PM and timings for visa collection is between 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM & 2 PM – 4 PM

How to Book an Appointment?

One can book the appointment via the internet or visit the Laos Embassy in India. Before booking an appointment, it is important for the applicant to know and properly understand some instructions that are stated below:

• Before getting started with the process, first, go through the application process. the general application process can be obtained easily.
• On each passport, only one application is allowed.
• It is to be noted that anybody other than the applicant is not allowed at the visa application centre. In some exceptions where a child under the age of 18 or a person who may need assistance due to health issues or disability may bring along a person.
• Make sure that the name of the visa applicant should be the same as the person booking the appointment.
• For a group or family, each person must make an individual appointment.
• While visiting the embassy it is must to carry the appointment letter.
• One must be present at the scheduled date and time of the appointment.
• For the people who are late or miss the scheduled appointment, rescheduling is possible only two times.
• If they fail to appear even after the second reschedule, their application is declined.

Laos Visa Eligibility

It is a wise option to check all the basic requirements and criteria for eligibility beforehand. One also needs to make sure that all the necessary documents are either submitted or they carry all the necessary documents along. Before applying for the visa, make sure to check once the basic eligibility criteria.

How to Check Status of Laos Visah

Laos Visa Document Requirements

• Valid passport with ten years of validity and must be valid for at least six months by the time of departure.
• Filled and signed Visa form
• Recent passport sized photographs
• Two-way tickets
• Accommodation pre-reservation documents.

Laos Tourist Visa

What is Laos Tourist Visa?

Tourist Visas are temporary immigration option, which allows the holder to visit the country for the purpose of leisure and tourism.

Laos Tourists visa can be obtained beforehand by filling a general visa application procedure. The visa for Laos is issued for a single entry and must be used within the three months from the date of issue. Single entry means crossing the country’s border for once officially to enter the country and exit.

Single visas allow the traveller to travel to the country for only once. Laos tourist visas do not allow for the traveller to make any employment or business purpose activities.

Duration of Laos Tourist Visa

Once the single-entry visa is issued, it is valid for three months from the date of issue. Since the tourist visa, the traveller can stay in the country for as long as 30 days. The tourist can also extend their stay in the country with the help of embassy or their travel agency.

Eligibility Criteria for Laos Tourist Visa

Any visitor who is visiting the country must possess a passport with 10 years validity and that it will be valid for another six months after the application. The visitor is also eligible for a visa at the time of arrival only if he is not a citizen of any of the following countries:

• Afghanistan,
• Algeria
• Bangladesh
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Congo
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea Bissau
• Jordan
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)
• Mozambique
• Nauru
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Sri Lanka
• Suriname
• Syria (Syrian Arab Republic)
• Swaziland
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

The application process for Laos Tourist Visa

One can apply for Laos Tourist Visa via Online, Offline (i.e. on paper) or at the time of arrival in the country.

Applying on paper:

One can visit the Laos embassy in India to make on the paper application process. 

For a region or country that does not have Laos embassy, their citizens can stop in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam or any en-route countries. And there they can apply for the visa, however that may take up a couple of days.

Applying online:

Nowadays many third parties (private companies or service providers) offer online visa application process. These service providers lodge the application on the behalf of the applicant and may charge a certain amount as a fee. However, there is no such option for Laos travellers.

Apply on arrival:

Tourists can obtain a visa for Laos when they arrive at the country's international borders.  This is one of the most convenient visa application processes and can be done within few hours only. But the traveller must need to make sure to carry all the required documents.

Documents required for Laos Tourist Visa

Laos Visa Types

Types of Laos Visa

Laos offers three types of visa to visitors. These visas are

• Transit Visa

Transit visa is required by those individuals who have a short duration of wait at the Laos airport. The transit visa allows the traveller to enter the nation of Laos instead of waiting at the airport. 

• Tourist Visa

A traveller will need to apply for a tourist visa if he or she intends to visit Laos for tourism. Additionally, tourist visa is also needed if you intend to meet friends or family who reside in Laos. However, in case of visiting friends and family, you will also need to provide a letter of sponsorship.

• Visa on Arrival

The visitor of nationality except the countries mentioned in the list can obtain a visa on arrival. Visa on arrival is valid for 30 days from the time of entry.

Duration of Types of Visa

• Transit Visa:

Visitor bearing this type of visa can stay in the country for 7 days from the time of entry.

• Tourist Visa

Any traveller baring tourist visa for Laos can stay in the country for 30 days from the time of entry.

• Visa on Arrival:

Visa on arrival lets the traveller to the country stay up to 30 days from the visit.

Laos Visa Fees

Basic Types of Laos Visas

Visa fees are decided by two countries by the mutual agreement of the embassies involved. Generally, visa fees for Laos may vary from $5 to $150 USD, depending on the country from which a visitor is applying and his nationality. For an Indian visitor, the fees for Laos visa is around 2000-3000 INR.

Yes, Indians are eligible for Visa on Arrival. However, you can also apply for visa in India and ensure that it is approved and valid to avoid hassle once you land in Laos.

Yes, it is recommended that you take travel insurance regardless of your destination. The reason that it is always advisable to take travel insurance is that it saves you from expenses that may arise when you travel. One of the biggest concerns when travelling to foreign nation is that of health and related expenses as they could be costly. However, travel insurance can ensure that the cost is minimal and save you a lot of hassle. With ICICI Lombard General Insurance (Bharti AXA General Insurance*) you can not only select from existing plans but you can also create a customized plan to ensure that you pay only for the services that you may need on your travels.