Lao eVisa requirements, eligibility and entry points
Review eligibility, passport and photograph rules, required documents, validity, permitted stay, processing and designated entry points.
What is the Lao eVisa?
The Lao eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation process for eligible foreign travellers visiting the Lao PDR for tourism. The approved document is an eVisa Approval Letter that is checked with the traveller’s passport before final entry permission is granted.
Who can apply?
Eligible travellers must hold an ordinary passport, travel for tourism, meet the passport validity and blank-page requirements, and enter through a designated Lao eVisa checkpoint. Temporary, emergency, special and other passport types are not accepted.
Eligible nationalities
Eligibility covers a broad published list of countries and territories. The application uses the passport nationality provided by the traveller. Eligibility and entry remain subject to the conditions applying at the time of travel.
Travel purpose and visa type
The electronic application is currently available only for Tourist Visa (T-B3). It does not permit paid or unpaid work. Because there is only one available category, it is stored automatically rather than shown as an unnecessary selector.
Lao eVisa validity
The Approval Letter is valid for a maximum of 60 days from issue. Entry can take place on any date during that period and does not need to match the estimated arrival date exactly.
Number of entries and maximum stay
The Lao eVisa permits one entry and a stay of up to 30 days from the date of arrival. The 30-day stay is separate from the Approval Letter’s 60-day entry validity.
Passport requirements
Use an ordinary passport with at least six months of validity from arrival and at least one blank page for the entry permission sticker and immigration stamps. Enter Laos using the same passport used for the application.
Required documents
Prepare a recent applicant photograph and a colour image of the complete passport biographical page. The passport image must include the machine-readable zone at the bottom. Additional documents may be requested later when necessary, but there is no standard extra-document upload for every applicant.
Photo requirements
The photograph should measure 4 × 6 cm, be in colour, have been taken within the last six months, use a plain white background, contain no shadows and show the applicant facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
Application information
The application collects contact details, names, gender, date and country of birth, nationality, occupation, residence, passport details, intended entry checkpoint and date, transport information, purpose of travel, address in Laos and an optional next destination. Information should be supplied in English.
International airports
The designated airports are Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport and Pakse International Airport.
Land border checkpoints
The designated land crossings are Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges I, II and IV and Boten International Checkpoint.
Railway checkpoints
The designated railway entry points are Boten Railway Station and Khamsavath Railway Station.
Using a different designated entry point
After approval, travellers may use any of the nine designated Lao eVisa entry points, even if a different eligible point was selected in the application. The eVisa cannot be used at a checkpoint that does not accept it.
Processing time
The published processing range is 1–3 working days after a complete application meeting the criteria is received. Further review, incomplete information and public holidays can extend processing.
When to apply
The intended arrival date should be no more than 60 days after the application date. Published guidance recommends applying at least five days before the intended arrival.
Entry requirements
Arrive through a designated eVisa checkpoint, use the same passport as the application, use the eVisa immigration lane where available, and present the passport with a printed Approval Letter for inspection.
Documents required on arrival
Carry the same passport used in the application and one clearly legible printed copy of the Approval Letter. A black-and-white print is acceptable when the QR code is clear. An electronic image alone is not sufficient.
Requirements for minors
Children and infants who require entry permission must also have a visa. The system supports applications involving groups, but each traveller must meet the relevant passport and entry requirements.
Restrictions
The Lao eVisa is for tourism, permits one entry and a stay of up to 30 days, works only at designated entry points, requires an ordinary passport and does not permit paid or unpaid work.
Requests for changes or documents
Incorrect or incomplete information can lead to a request to modify and resubmit the application. A requested update generally remains available for 30 days. Additional documents may be requested during processing.