Laos is a People's Democratic Republic in South-East Asia. Although it has no access to the sea, it is a great tourist destination. All foreigners are required to have a visa to travel to Laos. So if you're planning a trip there, here's everything you need to know about obtaining your visa.
Laos visa eligibility conditions
Like Sri Lanka and many other countries in the region, Laos has introduced an electronic visa system. This document allows tourists to enter the country for a maximum stay of 30 days. Before applying, however, you will need to gather a number of documents:
- A passport valid for at least six months after the date of departure for Laos.
- A colour passport photo.
- A bank card for payment of visa fees.
If you are travelling with children, you will need to bring the children's passports and an authorisation to leave the country, together with photocopies of the identity cards of the signatories if they are not travelling with both parents. Please note that you must apply for a visa from them.
An electronic visa is required to enter Laos for tourism, business or transit purposes. It guarantees you entry to the country during your stay. It is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. However, you can renew it twice if necessary.
Your authorisation also gives you access to three arrival points. These are Vientiane Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport and the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.
How do you obtain your e-visa from the Laotian authorities?
There are generally three ways of obtaining your Lao electronic visa from the authorities. The first is the traditional one, which involves going through the Laos embassy in Paris if you are French. The second option is to obtain your visa on the spot in Laos. The third way is electronic. This is because, since July 2019, the Laotian authorities have set up a website dedicated to e-visa applications.
In either case, the procedure remains the same as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. First, you will be asked to complete a visa application form. Secondly, you pay the visa fee by credit card. If the application is made online, you will receive your application number by e-mail, enabling you to track your status. However, if you apply in person (at the embassy or in person), you must attach a passport photo to the completed form before submitting it. The application takes three days to be processed.
How do you obtain your Lao e-visa through a specialist agency?
Are you planning an imminent trip to Laos? Don't really have time to prepare and apply for your visa directly? Then you should go through a private company to get your e-visa. As on the official website, the procedure is purely electronic. All you have to do is go to the agency's website to make your request. You can also track your application. If you are travelling with several people, you can make a group application to save time.
An agency service 