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British passport · Laos

Do UK citizens need a visa for Laos?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 1 Nov 2026

In brief

Yes. British passport holders need a visa for Laos, applied for online as an eVisa for up to 30 days.

Laos visa processing time for UK citizens: An eVisa is processed within 3 working days of a complete application and full payment (applications sent in the morning, Lao time, are handled the same day); the system accepts applications at least 5 days before arrival, for arrival dates no more than 60 days ahead. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, checked .

Conditions: tourist visa, single entry; entry only via 9 designated ports (e.g. Wattay and Luang Prabang airports, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges I, II and IV, Boten).

Lao eVisa facility is available for these following countries: see list ... The Stay Permit of eVisa is 30 days.Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa)

Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa)Apply only at laoevisa.gov.laReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do UK citizens need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. How to apply
  6. Fee
  7. Processing time
  8. Documents
  9. What changed
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources

At a glance

AccesseVisa · 30 daystourist visa, single entry; entry only via 9 designated ports (e.g. Wattay and Luang Prabang airports, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges I, II and IV, Boten)
StayUp to 30 days
Validity and entriesThe eVisa is for a single entry, and its approval letter is valid for 60 days: you can enter on any date until it expires.1
Official feeThe eVisa fee is paid online (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, WeChat Pay, Alipay or UnionPay) and is not refunded under any circumstances; the portal's fee calculator shows the amount for your nationality.1
Official processingAn eVisa is processed within 3 working days of a complete application and full payment (applications sent in the morning, Lao time, are handled the same day); the system accepts applications at least 5 days before arrival, for arrival dates no more than 60 days ahead.1
Where to applyApply online at laoevisa.gov.la (tourist visas only) with a colour scan of your passport bio page and a 4x6 cm photo; print the approval letter and show it at immigration, and check your status online, not through a Lao embassy.1Official site: laoevisa.gov.la

Do UK citizens need a visa for Laos?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa) lists the UK among the countries whose nationals can get an eVisa online. Stay: 30 days. Conditions: tourist visa, single entry; entry only via 9 designated ports (e.g. Wattay and Luang Prabang airports, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges I, II and IV, Boten).

“Lao eVisa facility is available for these following countries: see list ... The Stay Permit of eVisa is 30 days.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa) · checked

Laos visa types for UK citizens

How to apply

  1. Apply online at laoevisa.gov.la (tourist visas only) with a colour scan of your passport bio page and a 4x6 cm photo; print the approval letter and show it at immigration, and check your status online, not through a Lao embassy.

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR · checked

  2. Instead of an eVisa, British citizens can get a single-entry visa on arrival at many entry points, including Wattay (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse airports.

    UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · checked

Fee

  • The eVisa fee is paid online (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, WeChat Pay, Alipay or UnionPay) and is not refunded under any circumstances; the portal's fee calculator shows the amount for your nationality.

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR · checked

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

  • An eVisa is processed within 3 working days of a complete application and full payment (applications sent in the morning, Lao time, are handled the same day); the system accepts applications at least 5 days before arrival, for arrival dates no more than 60 days ahead.

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR · checked

Documents and entry checks

What changed

  1. Since 1 January 2025 a tourist visa can be extended twice inside Laos, for up to 60 extra days in total; the UK government warns that not extending within 90 days can mean a fine in kip worth USD 2,000, deportation and a ban on returning. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · checked
  2. Since 1 September 2025 foreigners passing Wattay, Luang Prabang or Pakse airports or Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I must register on the online Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) at immigration.gov.la before entering or leaving Laos. Department of Immigration of the Lao PDR · checked
  3. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is Laos visa-free for UK citizens now?

No. UK citizens need a visa, applied for online as an eVisa for up to 30 days.

How much does a Laos visa cost for UK citizens?

The eVisa fee is paid online (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, WeChat Pay, Alipay or UnionPay) and is not refunded under any circumstances; the portal's fee calculator shows the amount for your nationality.

Can I get a Laos visa in 7 days?

An eVisa is processed within 3 working days of a complete application and full payment (applications sent in the morning, Lao time, are handled the same day); the system accepts applications at least 5 days before arrival, for arrival dates no more than 60 days ahead.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa): entry rule, visa types, processing time, documents, how to apply and feeslaoevisa.gov.la · checked
  2. Department of Immigration of the Lao PDR: changesimmigration.gov.la · checked
  3. Department of Immigration of the Lao PDR: documentsimmigration.gov.la · checked
  4. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK foreign travel advice): visa types and how to applygov.uk · checked
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