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India to Laos visa requirements

Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa for Laos. The simplest route is the official Lao eVisa (apply online before travel); a visa on arrival is also available at major airports and designated land/rail borders. Laos is not visa-free for Indian citizens. India is on the eligible list for the official Lao eVisa (laoevisa.gov.la), which is processed online in about 3 working days and used to enter through 9 designated ports including Wattay (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse international airports, the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, and the Boten and Khamsavath rail/road checkpoints. The eVisa is single entry, valid for 60 days from issue, and permits a stay of up to 30 days. Indian travelers can alternatively obtain a visa on arrival (around USD 40 for 30 days) at the three international airports, four Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, and several other border crossings, though queues and cash-only payment make the eVisa more predictable. Passports must be valid at least 6 months with two blank pages. Laos is in Southeast Asia and has no connection to the Schengen area, so the 90/180 Schengen rule and ETIAS do not apply.
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 (tourist) — visa on arrival also available
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
~USD 50-52 total (eVisa); ~USD 40 (VOA)
consular fee only
Processing time
~3 working days (eVisa)
standard track
Validity
60 days from issue to enter; 30-day stay
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm eligibility and passport validity
Ensure your Indian ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond entry and has at least two blank pages. India is on the eligible list for the official Lao eVisa.
· 6 months validity· 2 blank pages
/02
Apply on the official Lao eVisa portal
Go to laoevisa.gov.la, complete the online application form, and select tourism as the purpose of travel. Avoid third-party sites that add markups.
· laoevisa.gov.la· tourist purpose
/03
Upload documents
Upload a high-quality color scan of your passport bio page (machine-readable zone visible) and a recent 4x6 cm passport-style photo taken within the last 6 months.
· passport bio page· 4x6 cm photo
/04
Pay the eVisa fee
Pay the visa fee plus service charge online with a credit or debit card. The fee calculator on the portal shows the exact amount for India.
· card payment· ~USD 50-52
/05
Receive and print the eVisa
After about 3 working days, the approved eVisa arrives by email. Print a copy to present at the border.
· ~3 working days· print copy
/06
Enter Laos at an approved port
Use a designated eVisa entry point such as Wattay (Vientiane), Luang Prabang or Pakse airport, a Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, or the Boten/Khamsavath rail checkpoints.
· 9 designated ports· 30-day stay
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
India -> Laos · eVisa (tourist) — visa on arrival also available
0 / 10 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredIndian passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Lao eVisa printout (or VOA application form)
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredRecent 4x6 cm passport-style photograph
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredColor scan of passport bio page for online upload
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RecommendedConfirmed return or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedProof of accommodation booking
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
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 the 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
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.
Application link included: Lao Official Online Visa (eVisa) - Government Portal
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa visa fee~USD 35Base government tourist visa fee
eVisa service/processing fee~USD 15-17Online platform and processing charge
Visa on arrival fee~USD 40Paid in cash (USD) at the border; alternative to eVisa
Bank/card surchargeVariesCard processing fee may apply on top of eVisa total
Total estimate~USD 40~USD 52incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival
~10-40 minutes
Obtained at major airports and designated borders; requires USD cash, photo, and form. Queues can be long at land borders.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement
There is no bilateral visa-exemption between India and Laos, so Indian ordinary passport holders must obtain a visa to enter.
High
/02
Tourism stays under 30 days
The eVisa and VOA both cover short tourist visits of up to 30 days, which fits most trips.
High
/03
Entry via major airports or land borders
Travelers flying into Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Pakse, or crossing Thai-Lao bridges, are covered by both the eVisa and VOA.
Medium
/04
Preference to skip border queues
Many travelers choose the eVisa specifically to avoid VOA cash payment and waiting at the counter.
Medium
/05
Entry at non-designated ports
Some smaller border crossings are not in the eVisa list, requiring VOA or an embassy visa instead.
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
India to Laos route verified
Confirmed via the official Lao eVisa government portal that India is eligible for the Lao eVisa (single entry, 60-day validity, 30-day stay, ~3 working days processing) and that visa on arrival remains available at designated airports and borders.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Indians enter Laos visa-free?
No. Indian ordinary passport holders require a visa. The easiest options are the official Lao eVisa applied for online, or a visa on arrival at designated entry points.
How long can I stay in Laos on the eVisa?+
What is the official Lao eVisa website?+
Is visa on arrival still available for Indians?+
Does the Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS apply to Laos?+
How much does the Laos eVisa cost for Indians?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the India passport

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