The Laos eVisa arrival card, officially the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF), must be completed online within 3 days before arriving in Laos through one of 4 designated international checkpoints. UK travellers need a colour-printed eVisa approval letter on A4 paper plus the LDIF QR code confirmation for presentation at immigration.
What Is the Laos eVisa Arrival Card & Who Needs It?
The Laos eVisa arrival card – the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) – replaced paper cards at 4 international checkpoints on 1 September 2025. The eVisa approval letter is issued by email (Apply → Pay → Download); the LDIF is submitted online at immigration.gov.la within 3 days before arrival and departure. Every foreign national and stateless person using a passport, including UK citizens, must register. The eVisa is single-entry only, valid for 60 days from date of issuance, with a minimum processing time of 5 business days.
The eVisa portal at laoevisa.gov.la runs software version 1.2.11 (copyright 2019-2026), with interface languages in English and Chinese. The available online service is E-VISA. UK travellers should cross-check requirements against gov.uk travel advice for Laos before departure.
eVisa Validity – How Long Is Your Approval Letter Valid?
The eVisa approval letter is valid for 60 days from issuance. Approved on 1 October → must enter Laos by 30 November. The Laos eVisa arrival card must be submitted separately within the 3-day pre-arrival window.
How Long Does eVisa Processing Take?
Minimum processing time is 5 business days; apply at least 2 weeks ahead. Peak-season delays are common for the Laos eVisa arrival card application.
How to Download Your Laos eVisa Approval Letter
Download the eVisa approval letter PDF from laoevisa.gov.la using your Application ID after the 3-step process (Apply, Pay, Download).
- Apply → Pay → Download: approval letter emailed after processing. Download the PDF directly from the email.
- Lost the email? Retrieve your Laos eVisa arrival card approval letter at laoevisa.gov.la using your Application ID to re-download the PDF.
- Tracking status: Check your Laos eVisa arrival card application status at laoevisa.gov.la using your Application ID. Status indicators show processing, approved, or rejected.
How to Fill Out the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF)
Register at immigration.gov.la with personal information, passport number, flight/vehicle number, duration of stay, and address in Laos. The Laos eVisa arrival card functions as the online arrival card, a paper form replacement at the 4 designated international checkpoints. The Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) is the arrival/departure digital card for all foreign nationals entering or departing Laos.
Enter required fields
Passport number (exactly as written), flight/vehicle number, hotel name and address, expected departure date
Submit within 3 days
Before arrival – e.g. flying 15 October → submit no earlier than 12 October. Separate LDIF required within 3 days before departure
Verify the QR confirmation
Check passport number, name spelling, and arrival date before closing the browser. QR code expires after 72 hours
When to Submit – The 3-Day Window Explained
Submit the Laos eVisa arrival card no earlier than 3 days before your arrival date. For departure, submit a separate arrival/departure digital card within 3 days before leaving Laos.
Which Border Crossings Accept the LDIF?
The 4 designated international checkpoints include Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I and Wattay International Airport. At non-LDIF crossings, a paper arrival/departure digital card is issued on-site by immigration officials.
Do Children Need Their Own LDIF and eVisa Approval Letter?
Yes. Each minor needs an individual LDIF registration and a separate eVisa approval letter. The Laos eVisa arrival card cannot be grouped under a parent’s documents.
Printing Your eVisa Approval Letter – Format Requirements
Print the eVisa approval letter in colour on A4 paper with no scaling or cropping; carry 2 copies plus your passport.
- Paper size: A4 recommended for QR/barcode scannability; ensure the code is fully visible and uncut.
- Colour vs. B&W: Colour strongly recommended; B&W carries scannability risk for immigration officials during passport inspection.
- Copies: Minimum 2 – one surrendered at the counter, one personal backup.
- Phone display: Not reliably accepted at the booth; paper is the only guaranteed method for the border procedure.
How Many Printed Copies Do You Need?
Minimum 2 copies of the eVisa approval letter; an optional third for your tour operator. The Laos eVisa arrival card QR confirmation should be saved as both PDF and screenshot.
Can You Show the eVisa on Your Phone Instead of Paper?
Printed copy strongly advised. Phone display risks include connectivity issues, screen glare, and officer refusal. The Laos eVisa arrival card on paper is the only guaranteed method for the border procedure.
Border Document Checklist & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Bring a passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages, a colour-printed A4 eVisa approval letter, the LDIF QR confirmation, and optional passport-size photos as backup. This checklist ensures smooth passport inspection at the border procedure.
- Passport (valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages)
- Colour A4 eVisa approval letter (2 copies)
- LDIF QR confirmation (screenshot or printout)
- Passport-size photos (backup, may be required at some crossings)
- Proof of accommodation / return flight (may be requested)
Common mistakes: no printed approval letter, LDIF submitted outside the 3-day window, name mismatch between passport and eVisa, expired eVisa (past 60-day validity), forgetting to keep the departure card portion, not verifying LDIF QR details before closing the browser.
The Laos eVisa arrival card and eVisa approval letter must match your passport exactly; immigration officials will reject documents with mismatched details at the border.
Paper Arrival Card – Still Needed at Some Borders?
At the 4 designated international checkpoints, the Laos eVisa arrival card replaces paper forms. At non-LDIF crossings, a paper arrival/departure digital card is issued on-site by flight crew or immigration officials as a paper form replacement.
Presenting Documents at the Border – Step-by-Step at the Counter
The Laos eVisa arrival card must be presented with your printed eVisa approval letter and passport. Follow this sequence:
Open your passport
Open to the photo page and hold it ready.
Hand over the printed eVisa approval letter
Colour A4 copy on top of passport.
Present your LDIF confirmation
With QR code visible. A saved screenshot or PDF is accepted; live portal access is unnecessary.
Answer officer questions
On purpose of visit, duration of stay, and accommodation address in Laos.
Receive your entry stamp
Retain the tear-off departure portion – clip it to your passport page for exit.
Is There a Dedicated eVisa Counter at the Airport?
Wattay International Airport operates a dedicated eVisa lane separate from the Visa on Arrival queue. Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I is a confirmed LDIF checkpoint among the 4 designated international checkpoints.
Presenting Your LDIF Confirmation – Screenshot or Live Access?
A saved PDF or screenshot of the QR code is generally accepted; live portal access is unnecessary if the offline copy is clear. Save the Laos eVisa arrival card confirmation as both PDF and screenshot.
Do You Keep the Departure Card After Entry?
Keep the tear-off departure portion safely with your passport; surrender it upon departure from Laos.
For urgent border queries, contact the Department of Immigration of Lao PDR:
Nongping Road, Dongnasok Village, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane CapitalTelephone: (021) 219 607 · Fax: (021) 251 287 · Hotline: 1502
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I enter Laos without printing my eVisa approval letter?
No. Printed copy required; phone screen not reliably accepted. UK travellers need colour A4 printout for passport inspection by immigration officials.
What happens if I forget to complete the LDIF before arrival?
You may face delays, on-site registration via airport Wi-Fi, or refusal of entry. Submit the Laos eVisa arrival card at immigration.gov.la within 3 days before arrival.
How many days before my trip should I apply for the Laos eVisa?
Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. Minimum processing is 5 business days; the eVisa is valid for 60 days from issuance.
Is the Laos eVisa arrival card the same as the LDIF?
Yes. The Laos eVisa arrival card is the common name for the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF), the arrival/departure digital card introduced on 1 September 2025 at 4 designated international checkpoints. It serves as the online arrival card.
Do I need a separate eVisa for each person in my family?
Yes. Each traveller, including children, needs an individual eVisa approval letter and a separate LDIF registration. Group applications are not accepted by immigration officials.
Can I use the Laos eVisa at any border crossing?
No. The eVisa is accepted at the 4 designated international checkpoints only, including Wattay International Airport and Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. Non-LDIF crossings issue paper forms on-site.
What if my name on the eVisa is spelled differently than my passport?
Contact laoevisa.gov.la immediately using your Application ID to request a correction. Name mismatches can result in refusal of entry at passport inspection.
How long can I stay in Laos with an eVisa?
The eVisa allows single entry, valid for 60 days from issuance. Enter Laos within that window to use your Laos eVisa arrival card.
Can I extend my Laos eVisa while in the country?
Extensions may be possible through the Department of Immigration in Vientiane (telephone (021) 219 607, hotline 1502). Do not assume an automatic extension is granted.
Is the Laos eVisa arrival card accepted at Vientiane Wattay Airport?
Yes. Wattay International Airport is one of the 4 designated international checkpoints with a dedicated eVisa lane. Present your printed eVisa approval letter and LDIF QR confirmation upon arrival.
Use your Laos eVisa arrival card by downloading the approval letter PDF, printing it in colour on A4 paper, and completing the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) within 3 days before arrival. Present the printed eVisa letter, your passport, and LDIF QR code to immigration officials for entry into Laos in 2026.
Last updated: 10 September 2026. Information sourced from immigration.gov.la and laoevisa.gov.la. This guide is for informational purposes only; always verify requirements with the Lao Department of Immigration before travel.
