Laos Visa For Indians
Want to vacation in Laos? Indian travellers headed to Laos for tourism need a visa to enter the country. The Laos visa for Indians is available in eVisa and visa on arrival versions, which are granted upon entry. Laos also has business visas, along with study and work visas, with different application requirements.
Laos, located in Southeast Asia, is an affordable destination for leisure and sightseeing. It is perfect for tourists who want a bit of culture, nature, and adventure sports in their vacations. The country has a laid-back charm amidst Buddhist heritage. From landmarks in Vientiane and the temples of Luang Prabang, the country also has the unique UNESCO-listed town of Vang Vieng. The country has recently seen a surge in travellers, primarily from Asian countries, with 4.6 million tourists in 2025.
To ensure your visa application is approved before your trip, you must understand the Laos visa requirements for Indian citizens, like documents, eligibility criteria and fees. Save time and money by familiarising yourself with the Laos visa process.
Laos Visa: All You Need to Know
ITo travel to Laos for tourism, Indians need to apply online for an eVisa a few weeks before the trip or obtain a visa-on-arrival at the airport in Laos. Both options allow foreign tourists to stay in the country for 30 days in a 60-day period.
To obtain your eVisa, you need to submit your passport, accommodation, flights, and fund proof and pay the visa fee online at the Laos e-visa portal. The same documents must be submitted in person for a visa on arrival to immigration at the airport. Carry the visa fee, which is charged in USD, in cash, as card payments may not be available.
Laos business visas are issued online and allow you to stay for 30 days in a 60-day period. You might be required to submit invitation letters for a business visa. To obtain work and study visas, more documentation is required, including work permits from the employer and admission letters from the university.
Visa applications for tourist visas are processed within a week after submission, but can take longer in some cases. Apply for your Laos visa a month in advance to avoid delays.
Laos Visa Insights
Laos might be a smaller Asian country, but it recorded over 4.1 million tourists in 2024 and 4.6 million tourists in 2025, exceeding its annual target. The figure nears pre-Pandemic figures of 5 million tourists the country witnessed annually.
While the number of Indian tourists was as low as 2,700 in 2022, it is expected to grow in the coming years.
Types of Laos Visa
Laos offers both e-visas and visas-on-arrival for Indians visiting the country for tourism. Processing time for tourist, business, work and student visas is between 7 working days and up to a month, excluding the Lao public holidays.
Visa-on-Arrival
Purpose: Indians can get short-term visas-on-arrival for tourism at the Laos airport.
Validity: 30 days in a 60-day period
Processing Time: Immediate
What to Watch Out For: Carry the fee amount in USD cash, as card payments might not be accepted at the airport counter.
eVisa
Purpose: This is a short-term visa allowing foreigners to visit for tourism
Validity: Up to 30 days in a 60-day period
Processing Time: 3 days
What to Watch Out For: Print the e-visa letter to carry it with you when travelling. It must be presented at the Laos airport on arrival.
Business Visa
Purpose: This is granted to business people visiting Laos for meetings, conferences or business negotiations.
Validity: Up to 30 days
Processing Time: 7 to 10 days
What to Watch Out For: Applications for a Laos business visa must be submitted online before travel day.
Transit Visa
Purpose: If you have a layover in Laos en route to a third country, you will need a Laos transit visa.
Validity: 24 to 72 hours
Processing Time: 3 to 5 days
What to Watch Out For: A transit visa is required if you intend to enter the country to spend overnight or a couple of days.
Work Visa
Purpose: Foreigners working with local employers must possess a Laos work or labour visa
Validity: Duration of work agreement
Processing Time: 1 month
What to Watch Out For: You are allowed to enter and exit Laos multiple times with the work visa, but you will have to renew it after its expiry to continue working in Laos.
Student Visa
Purpose: This is a visa for students looking to stay in the country to complete a course at a local university.
Validity: Duration of the course
Processing Time: 5 to 7 days
What to Watch Out For: Laotian student visas must typically be renewed every year.
How to Apply for a Laos Visa?
A Laos tourist visa for Indians can be easily acquired by applying online a couple of weeks before your trip. Once approved, you can carry a printout of your e-visa with you to present to immigration at the airport. Here is how you can get your Laotian e-visas and visa on arrival:
Online E-Visa
Open the Laos e-visa application portal and click ‘Apply Now’.
Fill out the form, including your passport details and a valid email address.
You will be sent an email with a PIN. Enter the PIN on the next page.
Upload copies of your passport and photo. Review details and click ‘Continue’.
Pay the Laos visa fee online to complete the application process.
After e-visa approval, download and print it to carry on your trip.
Visa on Arrival
Before travelling, carry a passport, photographs, accommodation and travel proof.
After landing, head to the dedicated visa-on-arrival counter.
Fill out the visa form, submit your documents and pay the required visa fees.
Upon confirmation of the fee, your visa will be issued, and you can enter the country.
Disclaimer: For further details on the Laos e-visa application process, documents and fees, visit the official Laos e-visa portal.
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Documents Required for a Laos Visa
To have your Laos visa application approved quickly before your trip, you must have the right documents in the proper formats. Here are the documents you need to submit for your Laos tourist eVisa application:
General Documents
Passport: Passport with at least six months' validity.
Photograph: White background photograph, taken in the last 6 months, 4x6 cm.
Proof of accommodation: Copies of hotel or hostel bookings.
Proof of funds: Proof of financial means (bank statements or salary slips).
Additional Documents
Business visa: Invitation letter from a Laotian company.
Work visa: Work permit submitted by the employer, and a police clearance certificate.
Student visa: Admission letter from the university.
Transit visa: Proof of flight tickets to a third country.
Disclaimer: For the full list of documents, visit the official Laos e-visa portal.
Laos Visa Fees For Indians
The Laos visa fee is a nominal fee paid online to process your e-visa application. Understanding the fee will help you avoid going overboard with your budget. Here are the different Laos visa fees.
Visa Type |
Visa Fee for Single, Double and Multiple Entry |
|---|---|
E-Visa |
$50 |
Tourist Visa-on-Arrival |
$30 |
Business Visa-on-Arrival |
$30 |
Note: Laos visa fees must be paid in USD; surge fees apply for weekend emergency services. Check the Embassy's holiday calendar to know what days it is closed. For queries, contact the Laos e-visa website.
The Laos eVisa portal allows you to track your application status. All you need is the application ID you received at application submission and your passport number. Follow the steps below to track your Laos visa application:
Yes. Indians can extend or renew their short-term Laos visas by submitting applications to the Embassy of India, Laos. Here is how you can extend or renew your Laotian visa:
Note: Application submission time at the Immigration Office in Vientiane is between Monday and Friday. The working hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, visit the Laos Immigration website.
Why do you need Laos Travel Insurance for Indians?
Laos offers culture, nature, and outdoor sports. However, emergencies can happen at any time, so keep yourself and your loved ones safe with travel insurance during your trip.
Key Takeaways
Laos is a peaceful, scenic destination in Southeast Asia. Indian travellers can easily apply for a Laotian tourist visa by submitting an online application for an eVisa or getting a visa on arrival at select international airports. The process is straightforward and simple, making it convenient for people to plan a quick getaway or a longer holiday.
For tourist eVisas and visas on arrival, you must submit copies of your passport with six months' validity, confirmed return flight tickets, accommodation booking proof and proof of available funds to cover your stay. Visa requirements can change depending on the purpose of your travel and duration. It’s always a good idea to check the latest guidelines before your trip.
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