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🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM
🏳LAGB-LA

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit LA?

UK ordinary passport holders need a visa for Laos. The recommended route is the official Lao eVisa: apply online before travel for a single-entry tourist visa allowing a 30-day stay. Visa on arrival is also available at major entry points, but the eVisa is faster and avoids border queues. British citizens cannot enter Laos visa-free. There are two valid channels for a short tourist visit: the official Lao eVisa (laoevisa.gov.la), applied for online at least 5 days before travel, and a visa on arrival at major airports and key land borders. Both are single-entry tourist visas that permit a stay of up to 30 days. The eVisa is valid for 60 days from issue (the window in which you must enter) and is recommended because it is processed in advance and speeds up the border crossing. UK nationals pay a government visa fee (around US$50, varying by nationality) plus a small online service fee; payment is by card. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have at least 2 blank pages. Since 1 September 2025, all travellers must also complete the free Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) online within 3 days before both arrival and departure at the main international airports and the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. From 1 January 2025, tourist stays can be extended twice in-country for up to 60 additional days. Overstaying is fined in Lao kip and can lead to deportation and an entry ban. Verified against GOV.UK foreign travel advice and the official Lao government eVisa portal as of 31 May 2026.
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.
United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (single-entry tourist) or Visa on Arrival
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry (extendable in-country)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
~US$50 government fee + online service fee (varies by nationality)
consular fee only
Processing time
About 3 working days (standard)
standard track
Validity
60 days from issue to enter Laos
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity
Ensure your UK passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date in Laos and has at least 2 blank pages for stamps.
· 6 months validity· 2 blank pages
/02
Apply for the eVisa online
Go to the official portal laoevisa.gov.la and complete the application form at least 5 days before travel. Avoid unofficial third-party copycat sites.
· laoevisa.gov.la· 5+ days ahead
/03
Upload documents and pay
Upload a passport bio-page scan and a recent passport-style digital photo, then pay the visa fee plus service fee by debit/credit card.
· Photo + passport scan· Card payment
/04
Receive and print approval
Wait about 3 working days for the approved eVisa to arrive by email, then print a copy (and save a digital copy) to show on arrival.
· ~3 working days· Print copy
/05
Complete the LDIF
Within 3 days before arrival, complete the free Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) online; you must also complete it again within 3 days before departure.
· Mandatory since Sep 2025· Arrival + departure
/06
Enter Laos at an approved port
Present your printed eVisa, passport and LDIF confirmation at a designated entry point such as Vientiane Wattay, Luang Prabang, Pakse airports or the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I.
· Designated ports only
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
UK passport valid 6+ months from arrival with 2+ blank pages
required
Approved Lao eVisa printout (or VoA fee in cash USD if applying at the border)
required
Recent passport-style digital photo for the application
required
Completed Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) before arrival
required
Proof of onward/return travel
recommended
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or address)
recommended
Debit/credit card to pay the eVisa fee online
required
Sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Travel/medical insurance covering Laos
recommended
USD cash for any visa-on-arrival or extension fees
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa government fee~US$50For UK nationals; varies by nationality
Online service/processing fee~US$5-9Charged by the official portal per applicant
Bank/card chargeVariesCard processing surcharge may apply
Visa on arrival feeUS$30-42Alternative paid in cash USD at the border; UK rate approx US$35-40 plus possible overtime fee
Total estimateUS$35US$60incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

eVisa (rush)
~1-2 working days
Faster processing for an extra fee where offered by the official portal.
Visa on arrival
At the border
Issued on arrival at major airports and key land borders; expect queues and bring USD cash.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement
The UK and Laos have no bilateral visa-exemption deal, so British tourists need a visa to enter.
High
/02
eVisa is faster than the border
Applying online in advance avoids visa-on-arrival queues and confirms entry eligibility before you fly.
High
/03
LDIF now mandatory
Since 1 September 2025 all travellers must file the free Lao Digital Immigration Form before arrival and departure.
Medium
/04
Single-entry limitation
The tourist eVisa is single entry, so a new visa is needed if you leave and wish to re-enter.
Medium
/05
Passport validity shortfall
Entry is refused if the passport is not valid 6+ months from arrival or lacks blank pages.
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
United Kingdom to Laos route verified
Confirmed UK ordinary passport holders need a visa for Laos; eVisa (single entry, 30-day stay, 60-day validity, ~US$50 + service fee, ~3 working days) is the recommended channel, with visa on arrival as an alternative. LDIF mandatory since Sep 2025. Verified against GOV.UK and the official Lao eVisa portal.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do UK citizens need a visa for Laos?
Yes. British passport holders cannot enter Laos visa-free. You need either an eVisa obtained online before travel or a visa on arrival at a designated entry point.
How long can I stay in Laos on a tourist visa?+
How much does the Laos eVisa cost for British travellers?+
How long does the Laos eVisa take to process?+
What is the LDIF and do I need it?+
Is the eVisa single or multiple entry?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Kingdom passport

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