🇦🇪UAE

🏳LAAE-LA

Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit LA?

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. It can usually be extended once at an immigration office inside Laos.

Q: How much does the Laos visa cost?

The official eVisa government fee is about USD 51.75. Visa on arrival is roughly USD 30-42 paid in cash, depending on the entry point.

Q: Do I need the new Lao arrival card?

Yes. Since September 2025 Laos requires an online digital arrival/immigration form before arrival at participating airports and the Thai Friendship Bridge. 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. A traditional visa on arrival (VOA) remains available at international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse) and major land borders for the same 30-day single-entry stay, paid in cash. Separately, since September 2025 Laos has rolled out a mandatory online digital arrival/immigration form (Lao Arrival Card) that all visitors should complete before arrival at participating entry points; this 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 2026-05-30

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.

UAE (Golden Visa)Living in UAE as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

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

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days (extendable once for ~30 days inside Laos)

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 51.75 government fee (eVisa, incl. processing); VOA approx. USD 30-42 cash depending on entry point

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 the Lao digital arrival form

Before arrival, fill in the online Lao Arrival Card / digital immigration form (mandatory at participating airports and the Thai Friendship Bridge since Sept 2025).

· Mandatory pre-arrival· Online form

/06

Enter Laos and observe the 30-day limit

Present the printed eVisa, passport, and arrival form at immigration. Do not overstay; you may extend once at an immigration office inside Laos if needed.

· 30-day stay· Extendable once

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

UAE ordinary passport valid 6+ months with a blank page

required

Approved Lao eVisa printout (or cash for VOA)

required

Recent passport-style photo (digital for eVisa)

required

Passport bio-page scan for upload

required

Confirmed onward/return flight ticket

recommended

Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)

recommended

Completed Lao digital arrival card

required

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

required

Sufficient funds for stay

recommended

Travel/medical insurance

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eVisa government feeUSD 51.75Official Lao eVisa fee including processing (varies slightly by nationality)

Visa on arrival feeUSD 30-42Cash only at airports/land borders; amount varies by entry point and day

Arrival card / digital formUSD 0Free online pre-registration; mandatory at participating entry points

Visa extension (optional)USD ~2/dayPaid at immigration office inside Laos if extending the 30-day stay

Total estimateUSD 30 — USD 52incl. 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

10-40 minutes at airports; longer at land borders

Complete form and pay cash on arrival at international airports and major 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

New mandatory digital arrival form

Since September 2025 a digital arrival/immigration card is required at participating entry points, 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

2026-05-30 · major

United Arab Emirates to Laos route verified

Confirmed UAE ordinary passport holders require a visa for Laos; official Lao eVisa (single entry, 30-day stay, ~USD 51.75, ~3 working days) recommended, with visa on arrival as an alternative. Verified against the official Lao eVisa portal and the Laos visa policy.

/09 — The questions