🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

🇱🇦LaosAE-LA

United Arab Emirates to Laos visa requirements

Q: What is the easiest way to get a Laos visa from the UAE?

Apply for the official Lao eVisa at laoevisa.gov.la a few days before departure, pay the fee online, and print the approval to show at immigration.

Q: How long can I stay in Laos?

The tourist eVisa and visa on arrival both allow a stay of up to 30 days, single entry. Extensions are handled by immigration offices; the official fee is 20,000 kip per day plus 40,000 kip per extension time.

Q: How much does the Laos visa cost?

The official eVisa calculator returns US$50.00 for UAE nationality, excluding bank charges. Visa on arrival fees vary by checkpoint, so confirm the cash amount before travel.

Q: Do I need the new Lao arrival card?

Use the Lao Digital Immigration Form if entering or leaving through a participating LDIF checkpoint: Wattay, Luang Prabang, Pakse or Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. It is free and separate from your visa.

Q: Is Laos part of the Schengen area?

No. Laos is in Southeast Asia, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply to this trip.

UAE ordinary passport holders need a visa for Laos. The recommended route is the official Lao eVisa (single entry, 30-day stay), applied for online before travel. Visa on arrival is also available at major airports and key land borders as a fallback. A United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holder is NOT eligible for visa-free entry to Laos and must obtain a visa for tourism or a short visit. The most convenient option is the official Lao eVisa issued by the Department of Immigration / Ministry of Foreign Affairs via laoevisa.gov.la, which grants a single-entry tourist visa allowing a stay of up to 30 days, usable within 60 days of issue, with processing of around 3 working days. The official Lao eVisa calculator returns US$50.00 for UAE nationality, excluding bank charges. A traditional visa on arrival (VOA) remains available at eligible international airports and land borders for a 30-day stay, paid in cash, but official public sources do not publish one fixed UAE VOA fee. Separately, since September 2025 Laos has rolled out the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) for four participating checkpoints: Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport and Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. LDIF is in addition to, not a replacement for, the visa. The passport must be valid for at least six months with at least one blank page. Laos is in Southeast Asia and is NOT part of the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply. Verdict: eVisa (with VOA as an alternative).

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-18

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →UAE (Golden Visa)Living in United Arab Emirates as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-18

Visa type

eVisa (single-entry tourist visa); visa on arrival also available

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days (extension possible inside Laos; official immigration fee is 20,000 kip/day plus 40,000 kip/time)

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

US$50.00 eVisa fee for UAE nationality, excluding bank charges; VOA fee varies by checkpoint

consular fee only

Processing time

About 3 working days for eVisa

standard track

Validity

eVisa must be used within 60 days of issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm eligibility and passport validity

Verify your UAE ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival with at least one blank page. UAE nationals are not visa-exempt for Laos and must obtain an eVisa or visa on arrival.

· 6-month validity· 1 blank page

/02

Apply for the Lao eVisa online

Go to the official portal laoevisa.gov.la, create an application, select Tourist visa, and enter your travel and passport details. Apply at least 4-7 days before departure.

· Official portal only· Apply 1 week ahead

/03

Upload documents and pay

Upload a passport bio-page scan and a recent passport-style photo, then pay the visa fee by card. Keep the payment receipt.

· Photo + passport scan· Card payment

/04

Receive and print the eVisa approval

Wait roughly 3 working days for the approval notice by email, then download and print the eVisa letter to present on arrival.

· ~3 working days· Print a copy

/05

Complete LDIF at participating checkpoints

If entering or leaving through Wattay, Luang Prabang, Pakse or Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I, complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form online. It is separate from the visa and does not replace eVisa or VOA.

· LDIF checkpoints· Online form

/06

Enter Laos and observe the 30-day limit

Present the printed eVisa, passport, and any required LDIF confirmation at immigration. Do not overstay; extensions are handled by immigration offices and the official fee is 20,000 kip per day plus 40,000 kip per extension time.

· 30-day stay· Extension fee

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

United Arab Emirates -> Laos · eVisa (single-entry tourist visa); visa on arrival also available

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredUAE ordinary passport valid 6+ months with a blank page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredApproved Lao eVisa printout (or cash for VOA)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredRecent passport-style photo (digital for eVisa)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredPassport bio-page scan for upload

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RecommendedConfirmed onward/return flight ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedProof of accommodation (hotel booking)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

ConditionalCompleted Lao Digital Immigration Form if using a participating LDIF checkpoint

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredCredit/debit card for eVisa fee (or USD cash for VOA)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RecommendedSufficient funds for stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

Official sourcesLao Official Online Visa (laoevisa.gov.la)Lao Official eVisa - fee calculator Lao Official eVisa - FAQ

Application link included: Lao Official Online Visa (laoevisa.gov.la)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eVisa government feeUS$50.00Official Lao eVisa calculator result for UAE nationality; bank charges are excluded

Visa on arrival feeVariesPay cash at eligible checkpoints; confirm the current amount before travel

LDIF / digital immigration formUSD 0Free online form for participating LDIF checkpoints

Visa extension (optional)20,000 kip/day + 40,000 kip/timeOfficial immigration extension fee; extension allowed no more than 2 times per arrival

Total estimateUS$50 — US$50 + bank chargesincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Lao eVisa (online)

About 3 working days

Apply via laoevisa.gov.la, pay online, receive printable approval by email. Apply at least 4-7 days before travel.

Visa on arrival

At the checkpoint

Complete form and pay cash on arrival at eligible airports and land borders. No advance approval, but queues and cash-only payment apply.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

UAE not on Laos visa-exemption list

Emirati ordinary passport holders are not among the nationalities granted visa-free entry to Laos, so a visa is mandatory for tourism.

High

/02

eVisa is the simplest pre-arrival option

The official Lao eVisa lets travelers apply and pay online and arrive with an approved visa, avoiding on-arrival queues and cash handling.

High

/03

Visa on arrival remains available

UAE nationals can alternatively obtain a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival at major airports and key borders.

Medium

/04

LDIF at participating checkpoints

Since September 2025 the Lao Digital Immigration Form applies at four participating checkpoints and is separate from the visa itself.

Medium

/05

Not Schengen / no ETIAS

Laos is in Southeast Asia, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules are irrelevant to this route.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-18 · major

Laos eVisa fee and LDIF scope updated

Confirmed UAE ordinary passport holders still require a Laos visa. Updated the official eVisa fee to US$50 excluding bank charges, scoped LDIF to the four participating checkpoints, and replaced stale extension-fee wording with the official 20,000 kip/day plus 40,000 kip/time formula.

/09 — The questions