Leaving it to the last day
Three working days means weekends and Lao public holidays do not count. Apply a week ahead and stop worrying.
Before you fly · Lao eVisa
Sort your Laos visa from the sofa.
Most visitors can apply online days before landing and walk straight past the on-arrival queue. Here is exactly how it works — no jargon, no scare tactics, no surprises at the border.
Apply100% online
Processing~3 working days
Typical stay30 days
Fee~US$30–50
Rules change and depend on your nationality — always confirm the current requirements for your passport on the official portal before you pay.
Take a breath
It is much simpler than it looks.
The Lao eVisa trips people up in small, avoidable ways — a photo in the wrong format, the wrong airport, or leaving it until the night before. Get those right and the whole thing takes about ten minutes plus a short wait. This page walks you through it and flags the traps.
Once your visa is moving, the next thing worth locking in early is your train — Lao railway seats sell out faster than the visa takes to arrive.
Book your Laos train tickets →Five steps to your eVisa
- 01
Check that you actually need one
Most visitors do — but a handful of nationalities enter visa-free, and citizens of neighbouring countries have their own rules. Confirm what applies to your passport before you pay for anything.
- 02
Have three things ready
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival, a passport-style photo (a clear phone photo on a plain wall works), and a card to pay online. That is genuinely all.
- 03
Fill in the form honestly and slowly
Names and passport numbers must match your document exactly. Use the entry point you will really arrive at (Vientiane airport, Luang Prabang airport, or a land border) — this is the single most common thing people get wrong.
- 04
Pay, then wait about three working days
You pay the visa fee plus a small processing charge by card. The approval letter lands in your inbox — usually within three working days, sometimes faster.
- 05
Print it and keep it with your passport
Bring a printed copy of the approval. Border officers scan or stamp it, and a phone battery is not something you want to gamble your entry on.
Where to apply
Apply for your Lao eVisa
The official government portal is the source of truth. If you would rather have a service check your form, chase the approval and give you human support, a reputable visa agent can do that for a fee.
- Card payment, emailed approval letter
- Apply about a week before you travel
- Print the approval and carry your passport photo
Official portallaoevisa.gov.laGovernment eVisa site ↗Prefer help?Apply with a visa serviceForm check & support ↗The visa-service link is an affiliate link. The official portal is always the cheapest route; a paid service simply adds convenience and support.
Avoid the classics
Four mistakes that cause 90% of the stress
A passport that expires too soon
Under six months of validity left and you can be refused boarding at your departure airport — long before you reach Laos.
Choosing the wrong entry point
The eVisa is tied to where you arrive. Pick the airport or land border you will genuinely use, or you may be turned away.
Copycat websites
Only apply through the official government portal or a reputable, clearly-labelled visa service. If a site hides its fees, close the tab.
While you wait for approval
Line up the rest of the trip
Your visa is processing — a good moment to lock in the things that sell out or are easier from home: your eSIM, insurance and first nights' stay.
Rooms near the right station
Laos railway stations sit well outside the towns. Book a stay close to where you actually want to be — the old quarter, the river, or a quick transfer from the platform.
Booking.comMost choice
Guesthouses & hotels across LaosThe widest choice for Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane, with free cancellation on most rooms and reviews from other travellers.
Search stays↗Free cancellation on most rooms
Agoda
Often cheaper across Southeast AsiaAgoda tends to have stronger prices and more small local guesthouses in this region. Worth a second tab before you commit.
Compare prices↗Good for local guesthouses
Get online the minute you land
Install a data eSIM before your flight and you have maps, translation and grab-a-tuk-tuk ready at the airport — no shop queues, no swapping your home SIM.
Travel insurance & visa
Mountain roads, scooters and remote clinics make Laos a place you want to be covered. Sort insurance and your eVisa before you go and forget about it.
SafetyWing
Flexible cover for nomads & long tripsSubscription-style travel medical cover you can start after you have already left home — popular with longer and open-ended Asia trips.
Get insured↗Start it even mid-trip
Lao eVisa
Apply for your entry visa onlineMost visitors can apply for the Lao eVisa before arrival and skip the queue. See our plain-English walkthrough first.
Read the eVisa guide→Do this before you fly
Some links above are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it is what keeps Lao Travel Guide independent and free to read. We only list services we would point a friend to.
Quick answers
Laos eVisa FAQ
Short, honest answers to what travellers ask most. When in doubt, the official portal always wins.
Do I even need a visa for Laos?
Most nationalities do. Many can apply online in advance; a few enter visa-free, and citizens of some neighbouring countries have separate arrangements. Check the rules for your specific passport before booking.
How long does approval take?
Usually around three working days. Weekends and Lao public holidays do not count, so apply about a week before departure to be safe.
What does it cost?
The fee depends on your nationality — typically about US$30–50 plus a small processing charge, paid online by card when you submit.
How long can I stay?
The standard tourist eVisa usually allows a 30-day stay and must be used within 60 days of issue. You can extend it once in Laos at an immigration office if you need longer.
Can I still get a visa on arrival instead?
Many travellers still can, but it means queuing, exact-cash fees and no guarantee if rules shift. Applying online in advance removes all of that — which is exactly why we recommend it.
Visa sorted?
Book train tickets →Now claim your train seats before they go.
Laos railway tickets open on a rolling seven-day window and the good departures fill fast. Send your route and we will handle the rest.