ARTICLE 04 — ADMINISTRATIVE
eVisa, VOA, business visa, extension: conditions, fees, and procedures based on your nationality (up to 90 days)
ANSWER CAPSULE (SEO + GEO)
Laos offers several types of short-stay visas, up to a maximum of 90 days. The eVisa (around usd 50) is the recommended option for most nationalities. The VOA (Visa on Arrival) lets you obtain your visa directly at the border. Since September 2025, the LDIF (a free digital form) has also been mandatory at the 4 main points of entry. Fees vary depending on nationality and circumstances: it’s always best to check the exact amount before you travel, or to get support from Salithyna Group.
1. The LDIF: The 2025 Update You Shouldn’t Miss
Since September 1, 2025, Laos has introduced the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF), a digital form that replaces the paper arrival and departure cards. Anyone entering or leaving Laos through one of the 4 covered entry points must complete it online at least 3 days before arrival AND before departure, on immigration.gov.la.
| Official website | immigration.gov.la |
| Mandatory deadline | At least 3 days before arrival AND before departure |
| Cost | Free |
| What you get | QR code to present to the immigration officer |
| Covered entry points (2025–2026) | Wattay Airport (VTE) • Luang Prabang Airport • Pakse Airport • Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane–Nong Khai) |
| Planned expansion | Rollout to all border checkpoints during 2026 |
| Does the LDIF replace the visa? | No — the visa and the LDIF are two separate, mandatory procedures |
ⓘ Secondary land border checkpoints
For entry points not yet integrated into the LDIF system, the paper form remains in effect. Always check the status of your crossing point before traveling.
2. Types of Short-Stay Visas: Comparison Table
| Visa type | Duration | Indicative fee* | Processing time | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa (tourist) | 30 days | ~usd 50 | 3 business days | Short stays, recommended |
| Visa on Arrival (VOA) | 30 days | ~usd 40–50 | On the spot | If eVisa isn’t possible |
| Embassy tourist visa | 30 days | Variable | 1–5 days | Nationalities without VOA access |
| Tourist extension | +30 days | ~usd 2/day | On the spot | One-off extension |
| BE-2 multiple-entry visa | 90 days renewable | Variable | Via embassy | Extended stays up to 90 days |
*The fees above are given as a guide only. They can vary depending on your nationality, entry point, time of year, exchange rate, and possible service fees. Always check the exact amount before you leave, or ask Salithyna Group to confirm.
3. The VOA (Visa on Arrival): What Exactly Is It?
The acronym VOA remains unclear to many travelers. VOA stands for “Visa on Arrival.” In practice, no online steps are taken before departure: you go directly to the dedicated counter at the airport or border crossing, fill out a paper form, pay on the spot (preferably in US dollars), and leave with your visa stuck into your passport, usually within 15 to 30 minutes. The advantage of the VOA is its apparent simplicity: no advance preparation needed. The downside is that it depends on counter availability, can lead to queues at peak times, and isn’t accepted at all entry points. This is why the eVisa, obtained online in advance, remains the recommended option.
4. The eVisa: Step-by-Step Procedure
- Go to the official portal — laoevisa.gov.la only (beware of third-party sites that charge unnecessary extra fees).
- Fill out the form — valid passport (at least 6 months’ validity + 2 blank pages), passport photo with white background, arrival hotel address, stay dates, and planned entry and exit points.
- Pay online — the exact amount may vary depending on your nationality and payment method; keep your proof of payment.
- Receive your eVisa — within 3 business days by email. Print it or keep it on your phone.
- Complete the LDIF — at least 3 days before arrival, on immigration.gov.la.
- At the border — present your eVisa + LDIF QR code + passport. Crossing time: 5 to 15 minutes.
Would rather not handle these steps yourself?
For any visa request, simply contact Salithyna Group: we handle your file from A to Z and support you right up to your arrival in Vientiane.
5. Who Needs a Visa? Table by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa exemption | VOA access | eVisa available |
|---|---|---|---|
| France, Belgium, Canada | No | Yes | Yes — recommended |
| Switzerland, Luxembourg | 15 days free | Yes (beyond 15 days) | Yes |
| United States, Australia, United Kingdom | No | Yes | Yes |
| Germany, Netherlands, Spain | No | Yes | Yes |
| Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore | 14 days free | Yes (beyond 14 days) | Yes |
| Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines | 14 days free | Yes (beyond 14 days) | Yes |
| South Korea, Russia | Exemption (30 days) | N/A | N/A |
| China (ordinary passport) | Not exempt (2025) | Yes | Yes |
| India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia | No | Yes (some) | Yes |
ⓘ Always check your specific case
Exemption and VOA access rules change regularly, as do the associated fees. The temporary 15-day exemption granted to several European nationalities in 2024 expired on January 1, 2025. The simplest approach: contact Salithyna Group to find out the exact conditions that apply to your nationality.
6. The BE-2 Multiple-Entry Visa: Up to 90 Days
For stays approaching the 90-day limit, the BE-2 multiple-entry visa is the most suitable option. Issued by the Lao Embassy in your country, it provides 90 days of stay with multiple entries, upon presentation of a passport, photos, a form, proof of a Lao address, and proof of financial means. The fee varies depending on the embassy and nationality.
For a visa beyond 90 days (work, long-term settlement)
Simply contact Salithyna Group: we’ll guide you to the process suited to your situation.
7. The Most Common Pitfalls
- Unofficial eVisa websites — only one reliable site: laoevisa.gov.la
- Overstaying your visa — a minimum usd 200 fine per overstay, even for a single day
- Forgetting the LDIF — without the LDIF QR code, delays at check-in are possible at the 4 covered entry points
- Insufficient passport — less than 6 months’ validity or fewer than 2 blank pages = refusal at the border
- Land border crossings — not all land crossings accept the VOA or the eVisa
ⓘ 2024 exemption expired: French nationals need a visa
Laos had granted a temporary 15-day exemption to several European nationalities (including France) until December 31, 2024. Since January 1, 2025, French nationals once again need a visa (eVisa or VOA), regardless of the length of stay.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What does VOA mean?
VOA stands for “Visa on Arrival,” a visa issued directly upon arrival at the airport or border crossing, with no prior online steps.
How much does a Laos visa cost?
It depends on the type of visa, your nationality, and the entry point. As a guide, the eVisa costs around usd 50, but this amount can vary — contact Salithyna Group to find out the fee that applies to your case.
What is the maximum length of a short-stay visa?
30 days for the eVisa and the VOA (extendable once), and up to 90 days for the BE-2 multiple-entry visa.
Who can help me with my visa application?
Salithyna Group supports expats and travelers with all their Laos visa procedures, from putting together the file to arrival on the ground.
Conclusion
Laos’s visa system remains one of the simplest in Southeast Asia for short stays. The eVisa is fast and reliable; the VOA remains a practical but less predictable alternative. The BE-2 visa covers stays of up to 90 days. Rules and fees change regularly: always check laoevisa.gov.la and immigration.gov.la before each trip.
Our Experience
At Expat Laos Salithyna, we support expats and travelers with their visa procedures every year. For any question, the simplest solution is to contact us directly: we’ll show you the steps suited to your nationality and your plans.
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