Laos eVisa Checklist
The Lao eVisa is a single-entry tourist visa applied for online, with a 30-day stay permit and a 3-working-day processing time. This checklist sets out every document and the rules that trip people up, including the 180-day passport requirement and the Approval Letter you must carry. Based on the official Lao Online Visa pages (laoevisa.gov.la).
Three quick facts
- Single entry only — the Lao eVisa covers one entry and a stay permit of 30 days.
- Passport valid 180 days — your ordinary passport must be valid for more than 180 days from your date of arrival.
- Approval Letter is essential — the eVisa Approval Letter issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the document you show on arrival; without it you will be refused entry.
The checklist — what to prepare
| Passport | An ordinary passport, valid for more than 180 days from arrival. |
| Passport scan | A scan of the passport data page that includes the full biographic page and the two MRZ lines at the bottom. |
| Photo | 4 × 6 cm, colour, taken within the last 6 months, no shadows, plain white background, facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open. |
| Online form | The online application: personal details plus your travel details. |
| Payment | Card or wallet: VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, WeChat Pay, Alipay or UnionPay. Fees are not refundable. |
| Approval Letter | Save the eVisa Approval Letter — the key document for entry. |
Every traveller needs their own visa, including children and infants — there is no exemption. For the photo, check our Laos passport photo page and run the file past the passport photo checker.
Timing and where you can enter
- Arrival date must be within 60 days of your application date.
- Applications can be submitted no earlier than 5 days before arrival.
- Processing takes about 3 working days. One invoice covers up to 20 people.
- You must arrive at one of the 9 designated ports: Wattay International Airport, the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges I, II and IV, Luang Prabang Airport, Pakse Airport, Boten International Checkpoint, Boten Railway Station and Khamsavath Railway Station.
- On arrival, use the dedicated eVisa channel and present the same passport you applied with, plus the Approval Letter.
Common reasons an application or entry fails
- Passport under 180 days — the hard threshold; renew first.
- Non-compliant photo — shadow, non-white background, not facing the camera, eyes closed or older than 6 months means a resubmission and delay.
- A different passport on arrival — travelling on a passport other than the one you applied with leads to refusal of entry.
- Missing Approval Letter — entry is refused without it.
- Incomplete MRZ — a passport scan that does not show the full MRZ lines is treated as incomplete.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lao eVisa single or multiple entry?
It is single entry, with a stay permit of 30 days.
How long can I stay in Laos on the eVisa?
The stay permit is 30 days.
How far in advance should I apply?
You can submit no earlier than 5 days before arrival, and your arrival date must be within 60 days of the application date.
Do children and infants need their own visa?
Yes, every traveller needs a separate visa; there is no exemption for children.
What are the photo requirements?
4 × 6 cm, colour, taken within the last 6 months, no shadows, plain white background, facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
Which ports can I enter through?
Nine designated ports, including Wattay and Luang Prabang airports, the Friendship Bridges, Pakse Airport, Boten and Khamsavath railway stations.
Source: Lao Official Online Visa (laoevisa.gov.la), information, FAQ and homepage, retrieved 2026-09-28. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules at laoevisa.gov.la before you apply.