Visas for Laos

Popular visa types: Tourist

The Tourist Visa for Laos can be issued at some entry points or via a travel agency or Lao consulate. Via an embassy the visa should cost around US$30 to US$35 depending on your nationality. The fee for Canadians is US$42.

Visa on arrival is reliably available at most overland crossings between Thailand and Laos, including the Huay Xai, Vientiane, Savannakhet, Tha Khaek and Chong Mek entry points. It is also available at both Vientiane and Luang Prabang airports (US$30 - cash only, one passport photo). Visa on arrival is not available at the Paksan crossing. Nor is it available at the Cambodia crossing.

If you get your visa beforehand from a Lao embassy it should be valid for 30 days. ALL visas on arrival are now valid for 30 days. Be wary of being stamped in for 15 days on a 30 day visa.

Extensions

Tourist visas can be extended on a daily basis.

Validity issues

All tourist visas are single entry only. The visa sticker for visas issued from an embassy are full page, so bear that in mind if you do not have many pages left.

Border crossings

For information on the border crossings and to read traveller's reports, please see this Border Crossings FAQ thread on the messageboard.