Laos Tourist eVisa
Apply for the Laos Tourist eVisa online — single-entry eVisa valid for 60 days; get approval by email in as fast as 4 days.
Processing Speeds for Laos Tourist eVisa
What Is the Laos Tourist eVisa?
The Laos Tourist eVisa is an electronic visa issued through the official Lao eVisa portal that lets eligible travellers apply for a tourist visa in advance, receive an approval by email, and present a printed or digital copy at arrival immigration. The eVisa system is managed via the Lao government’s eVisa site and was introduced to reduce queues at international checkpoints and give travellers a clear pre-travel approval. The current online portal — laoevisa.gov.la — provides submission, payment, and a download link for the approved visa.
Apply on the government portal or through DoVisa — we fill in the application, check your passport photo and travel details, and make sure the approval is downloadable as a PDF you can print. Once approved you receive an email with a PDF approval and a reference number; immigration officers will expect to see that document at the border. Typical processing options range from standard to expedited — the fastest option listed in our database is four days.
This is a proper visa (an electronic visa) — not just a registration. The Laos Tourist eVisa grants single-entry access with a maximum stay per visit of 30 days and a 60-day validity window in which to use the visa. Important recent change: Laos now requires a separate Lao Digital Immigration Form at certain airports and land crossings (submitted via immigration.gov.la) within three days before arrival or departure for passengers using major international checkpoints; keep both your eVisa PDF and the immigration QR code handy.
For full entry rules see Lao People's Democratic Republic visa information and the official portal at laoevisa.gov.la. Ready to start? Apply now.
Who Needs the Laos Tourist eVisa?
Who Needs It
- Foreign nationals travelling to Laos for tourism purposes who want a pre-arranged visa
- Visitors intending to stay in Laos up to 30 days under the single-entry eVisa
- Children and minors — each traveller must have their own application (a parent/guardian applies for minors)
Who Is Exempt
- Lao nationals
- Airline and vessel crew on active official duty
- Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business
- Singapore passport holders (visa-exempt for short visits of up to 30 days)
Laos Entry Requirements & Restrictions
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival and have at least 2 blank pages for stamps. See the Lao immigration guidance on entry formalities.
Vaccination Requirements
No routine vaccinations are universally mandated for entry, but a Yellow Fever certificate is required if you are arriving from or transiting a country with yellow fever risk. Check current health advice before travel (Travel.State.Gov / TravelHealthPro).
Customs & Prohibited Imports
Laos prohibits import of weapons, narcotics, psychotropic substances, antiques (including Buddha statues), endangered wildlife, and other goods listed by customs. New trade controls also restrict certain unregistered food products. Declare cash above the permitted threshold. See official import lists for details.
Drones & Electronics
Operation and import of drones are regulated — visitors should seek approval from relevant authorities before bringing or flying drones. Certain electronic imports may require permits.
Travel Insurance & Printing
Travel insurance is strongly recommended — medical facilities outside major cities are limited. Also carry a printed copy of your eVisa PDF; immigration officers frequently ask to see the printed approval on arrival.
Travel Tips for Laos Visitors
Laos is a largely rural, river-centered country where travel times are long and services thin outside the main cities. Main international gateways include Wattay International Airport (Vientiane) (VTE), Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ), and Pakse International Airport (PKZ). The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I is a common land crossing from Thailand.
- Best time to visit: November to February — cooler, drier weather in most regions.
- Currency: Lao kip (LAK). Carry LAK for markets and local transport — some hotels and tourist operators accept US dollars, but exchange to LAK for everyday purchases and small vendors.
- Language: Lao is the official language; English is commonly spoken in hotels, guesthouses, and tourist services in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse.
- Time zone: GMT+7 — plan connections accordingly; there is no daylight saving.
- Print your eVisa: Immigration officers often request a printed PDF of your approval — have both a digital and printed copy.
- Lao Digital Immigration Form: From 1 Sep 2025 some checkpoints require a separate digital immigration form submitted via immigration.gov.la within three days before travel — save the QR code.
- Money and bank hours: Commercial banks may not sell USD — exchange to LAK during bank hours or at reputable money changers in major towns.
- Be cautious off-road: Remote routes can have unexploded ordnance; stick to main roads and check local advice before rural excursions.
"Applied for the Laos Tourist eVisa two weeks before our Luang Prabang trip and got the PDF in my inbox in about four days. Printed it and immigration at Luang Prabang airport asked for the paper — no problems."
"Super helpful — filled the details while waiting at the departure gate and the team checked my passport photo. The visa arrived by email and the staff at Wattay airport scanned it without an issue."
"Needed the Laos Tourist eVisa for a slow-travel itinerary along the Mekong. DoVisa confirmed my hotel name and travel dates, I downloaded the approval and handed it to immigration in Vientiane — quick and straightforward."
"Form was simple, but I missed a digit in my passport number at first. Support spotted it and told me how to correct it before submission. Visa arrived in time for our flight to Pakse."
"Never got the confirmation email right away — I had to log back in to download the PDF. The visa itself came through and was accepted at immigration, but the email delay was annoying."
"Fast and reliable service. I used the faster option because I booked late; the PDF approval arrived and the officer in Vientiane only asked to see the printed copy. Worth the convenience."
"The page timed out once while I was uploading my photo — had to re-upload, but support replied and confirmed everything was OK. Got the visa before my departure, so no major issue."
"Helpful guidance on where to list multiple hotels in the application. We stayed in Vientiane then Luang Prabang and immigration accepted the single-entry eVisa with our printed approval."
"Took three tries to get the photo sized correctly and support took two days to respond. I eventually got the visa, but the process was more frustrating than it needed to be."
"Booked last-minute and purchased the rush option — the Laos Tourist eVisa arrived by email in time to print before my flight. Immigration at Pakse checked the PDF and we were through."
"Applied for the Laos Tourist eVisa two weeks before our Luang Prabang trip and got the PDF in my inbox in about four days. Printed it and immigration at Luang Prabang airport asked for the paper — no problems."
"Super helpful — filled the details while waiting at the departure gate and the team checked my passport photo. The visa arrived by email and the staff at Wattay airport scanned it without an issue."
"Needed the Laos Tourist eVisa for a slow-travel itinerary along the Mekong. DoVisa confirmed my hotel name and travel dates, I downloaded the approval and handed it to immigration in Vientiane — quick and straightforward."
Laos Tourist eVisa: Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Apply for Your Laos Tourist eVisa?
Apply online and receive a downloadable PDF approval — processing from 4 days. Choose Standard (8 days), Rush (5 days) or Super Rush (4 days).
Check Price & Apply NowSources & References
- Lao Official Online Visa — Lao eVisa portal
- Immigration Department — Visa & international checkpoints (Lao PDR)
- Immigration — International border checkpoints (Lao PDR)
- Laos — GOV.UK travel advice (entry requirements)
- Laos International Travel Information — U.S. Department of State
- Laos — Prohibited and Restricted Imports (country commercial guide)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Travel & visa notes for Laos (Singapore MFA)