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Laos · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for Laos?

Entry rules for Laos by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa), checked .

In brief

Citizens of 18 countries and territories can visit Laos without a visa, most for up to 30 days. 143 can apply for an eVisa or ETA online.

Visa-free
18
On arrival
0
eVisa or ETA
143
Visa required
0

Checked 31 Oct 2026Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDRAfghanistan, Bangladesh, Burundi and 34 more: not verified (the source leaves them unclear)37 nationalities not covered by the official sourceReport a change

Most commonIndiaUnited StatesHong KongPakistanVietnamSaudi ArabiaAll passports

Partly verified: the official source covers the groups below but not every nationality. For a passport not listed here, check the official sites at the end of this page.

Laos entry rules at a glance

GroupStayNationalitiesExamplesSource
Visa-free30 days15Indonesia, Russia, Japan, PhilippinesMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Consular Department
Visa-free15 days2Switzerland, LuxembourgMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Consular Department
Visa-free14 days1MyanmarMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Consular Department
eVisa30 days161India, China, United States, IndonesiaMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR

Visa-free for 30 days: Indonesia, Russia, Japan and 12 more

15 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 30 days.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Consular Department (list of 22 December 2025), checked LIST OF COUNTRIES HAVING REACHED UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL VISA EXEMPTION AGREEMENT WITH LAOS

Visa-free for 15 days: Switzerland and Luxembourg

2 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 15 days.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Consular Department (list of 22 December 2025), checked LIST OF COUNTRIES HAVING REACHED UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL VISA EXEMPTION AGREEMENT WITH LAOS

Visa-free for 14 days: Myanmar

1 nationality

No visa is needed for stays of up to 14 days.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Consular Department (list of 22 December 2025), checked LIST OF COUNTRIES HAVING REACHED UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL VISA EXEMPTION AGREEMENT WITH LAOS

eVisa for 30 days: India, China, the US and 158 more

161 nationalities

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).

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

Where to apply

Apply for the eVisa only on the official site, laoevisa.gov.la. Look-alike sites charge extra for the same form.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules. Our guides: Laos e-Visa: the official website, the fee and how to apply.

Most searched passports

FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit Laos?

It depends on your passport: 18 nationalities are visa-free and 143 can use an eVisa or ETA. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for Laos?

Yes, but online: Indian citizens apply for an eVisa before they travel (30 days); 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) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa), checked 31 Oct 2026).

Do US citizens need a visa for Laos?

Yes, but online: US citizens apply for an eVisa before they travel (30 days); 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) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa), checked 31 Oct 2026).

Can I apply for a Laos visa online?

Yes, if you are eligible: 143 nationalities can apply online for an eVisa or ETA. Apply only at laoevisa.gov.la.

Sources and changes

  1. MFA of the Lao PDR: visa exemption agreements (list of 22 December 2025)mofa.gov.la · checked 31 Oct 2026
  2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Lao eVisa)laoevisa.gov.la · checked 31 Oct 2026
  3. Lao eVisa (official)laoevisa.gov.la · checked 31 Oct 2026
  4. Department of Immigration: visas and visa exemptionimmigration.gov.la · checked 31 Oct 2026
  1. All groups checked against Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR (Consular Department, Lao eVisa); Department of Immigration of the Lao PDR. No change since.

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Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.