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Finland to Laos visa requirements

Finnish citizens need a visa for Laos. The recommended route is the official Lao eVisa (apply online at laoevisa.gov.la), which grants a 30-day single-entry tourist stay. Visa on arrival at major airports and land borders is also available as a backup. A Finland ordinary-passport holder traveling to Laos for tourism requires a visa. The temporary visa-free arrangement Laos extended to Finland and several other European countries (1 July - 31 December 2024) expired and was not renewed, so as of 2026 Finnish travelers must hold a visa. The most convenient option is the official Lao eVisa, applied for online before travel at laoevisa.gov.la, which provides a single-entry tourist visa valid for a stay of up to 30 days and usable at nine designated ports of entry (Wattay/Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse airports, the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, and several rail crossings). Visa on arrival remains available to Finnish citizens at major international airports and key land borders for those who prefer to obtain it on entry. The government fee for European nationals is approximately USD 35 for either channel. Passports must be valid at least six months with two blank pages. Note: from September 2025 Laos introduced a trial digital arrival/departure card that must be completed online before arrival at designated entry points, in addition to the visa.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (electronic tourist visa); visa on arrival also available
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. USD 35 (government fee for European nationals)
consular fee only
Processing time
Approx. 3 working days (eVisa); immediate at the counter (visa on arrival)
standard track
Validity
Enter within 60 days of approval; 30-day stay from entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a visa
As a Finnish ordinary passport holder you require a visa; the 2024 temporary visa-free window for Finland has expired. Choose the eVisa (recommended) or visa on arrival.
· Verdict: eVisa
/02
Check passport validity
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date and has at least two blank visa pages.
· 6 months validity· 2 blank pages
/03
Apply on the official Lao eVisa portal
Go to laoevisa.gov.la, complete the online form, upload a recent passport-style photo and your passport bio-page, and select Tourism as the purpose.
· laoevisa.gov.la· Recent photo
/04
Pay the visa fee online
Pay the government fee (approx. USD 35 for European nationals) by card through the secure portal. The fee is non-refundable.
· Card payment· Non-refundable
/05
Receive and print the eVisa approval
Approval typically arrives by email within about 3 working days. Print the eVisa approval letter to present on arrival.
· ~3 working days· Print approval
/06
Complete the digital arrival card and enter Laos
From September 2025, complete the online arrival/departure card within 3 days before arrival, then enter at a designated eVisa port of entry.
· Digital arrival card· Designated ports only
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

14 items
Personalized checklist
Finland -> Laos · eVisa (electronic tourist visa); visa on arrival also available
0 / 14 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 2 blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Lao eVisa letter (printed) or funds for visa on arrival
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredRecent passport-style photo (taken within last 6 months, white background)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredDigital arrival/departure card completed online before arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedProof of onward or return travel
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedProof of accommodation for the stay
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedUSD cash for visa on arrival (if not using eVisa)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedSufficient funds for the duration of your stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering Laos
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalEntry only via a designated eVisa port of entry (if using eVisa)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
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.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
ConditionalArrival, health, or customs declaration
Submit before departure or on arrival through the destination's official system when required
Follow the airline and official arrival-system instructions in force at departure.
Official sourcesOfficial Lao eVisa Portal (Government of Lao PDR)Department of Immigration of Lao PDR - VisasWikipedia - Visa policy of Laos
Application link included: Official Lao eVisa Portal (Government of Lao PDR)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa government fee (European nationals)USD 35Single-entry tourist eVisa; non-refundable
Visa on arrival fee (European citizens)USD 35Paid in cash on entry at airports/land borders
Optional rush processing (eVisa, third-party)USD 59Faster turnaround; only via some agency services, not required
Digital arrival/departure cardUSD 0Free online form, mandatory before arrival
Total estimateUSD 35 — USD 50incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Lao eVisa (official online)
~3 working days
Apply at laoevisa.gov.la before travel; print the emailed approval. Recommended for predictability and to guarantee entry at designated ports.
Visa on arrival
Issued on arrival
Obtained at major international airports and key land borders; bring USD cash, a photo and completed form. Useful as a backup.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Tourism / short visit
Standard sightseeing and leisure travel, the most common reason Finnish citizens visit Laos.
High
/02
Visiting friends or relatives
Short personal visits to contacts living in or traveling through Laos.
Medium
/03
Overland regional travel
Entering Laos as part of a Southeast Asia trip via the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges or rail crossings.
Medium
/04
Business meetings / short conferences
Brief business trips that still fall under short-stay visa rules.
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
2026-05-30 · major
Finland to Laos route verified
Confirmed via Wikipedia visa policy and official Lao eVisa portal that Finland's temporary 2024 visa exemption expired; Finnish citizens now require an eVisa or visa on arrival (30-day single entry, approx. USD 35). Noted September 2025 digital arrival card requirement.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Finnish citizens visit Laos visa-free?—
No. Laos granted Finland a temporary visa exemption from 1 July to 31 December 2024, but it expired and was not renewed. As of 2026 Finnish ordinary passport holders need a visa.
What is the best way to get a Laos visa from Finland?+
How long can I stay in Laos on a tourist visa?+
How much does the Laos visa cost for Finnish citizens?+
How long does the eVisa take to process?+
Do I need to fill in anything else besides the visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

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