To visit Laos, one of the most authentic countries in South-East Asia and, like Myanmar, considered more "confidential" than its neighbours, you need a visa. To make things easier, why not opt for an e-Visa? How do I get one? Do French nationals need to enclose any special documents with their application?
Applying for an e-Visa
Applying for an e-Visa for Laos is easy! Available since July 2019, it allows anyone wishing to visit Laos to obtain an e-Visa quickly and without having to queue at the Lao embassy in their country. In France, the embassy is in Paris and it's not always possible or convenient to get there. What's more, you have to expect to join a long queue. With e-Visa, that's a thing of the past!
To complete your application, go to the website set up by the Laotian authorities. The form itself is fairly simple to fill in, as all you need to do is give your personal details and information about your stay in Laos. However, as everything is done in English, you may find it difficult if English is not your strong point. In this case, you can hire a specialist agency to fill in the application form and act as an intermediary between you and the Laotian authorities.
You will need to upload a copy of the second page of your passport and a recent colour passport photograph. Visa fees can be paid directly online, using a simple bank card. They cost around 48 € (consular fees only) for a tourist e-Visa.
List of documents to be provided
French nationals can easily apply for an e-Visa on the official website. However, applicants must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of the end of their stay in Laos. The passport must contain two completely blank pages facing each other.
If the applicant is travelling with children, they must all be in possession of a valid passport, even if they are minors. Authorisation to leave the country is not required unless the children do not have the same name (divorced or unmarried parents, for example).
Once the application has been validated by the Laotian authorities, the e-Visa is issued within a maximum of three working days. It remains valid for 60 days from receipt of the approval letter (which should be printed and taken with you on the day of departure for Laos) and allows only one entry into Laos.
An agency service 