Canadian citizens can apply for a Laos eVisa online at laoevisa.gov.la for $50 USD; approval takes 3 business days. The single-entry eVisa allows stays up to 30 days and requires a passport valid for 6+ months. Citizens of Mexico, Brazil and other Americas nations are also eligible.
This is an independent travel-information portal, not affiliated with any official immigration authority. Information was verified on 10 September 2026 against laoevisa.gov.la and immigration.gov.la. Immigration rules in Laos change frequently, so always confirm current requirements before paying any fees.
What Is the Laos eVisa and Who Can Apply from the Americas?
The Laos eVisa is a single-entry electronic travel authorization valid for 60 days from issuance, allowing stays of up to 30 days. Citizens of Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru and the United States are eligible. The Laos eVisa for Canadians shares identical requirements with all listed Americas nationalities: a $50 USD fee, 3 business days processing, and a 30-day maximum stay within a 60-day validity window. This tourist visa is issued entirely online through the government portal at laoevisa.gov.la, eliminating embassy visits.
Laos eVisa Requirements for Canadian Citizens
Canadian applicants need: a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival with 2 blank pages, a digital photo, a passport biographical page scan, and an active email address. No travel itinerary or accommodation proof is required for the Laos eVisa for Canadians, unlike traditional consular visa applications.
Photo and Document Upload Specifications
The digital photo must be approximately 413 × 531 pixels in JPEG or PNG format with a plain, light-coloured background. The passport biographical page scan must be in PDF or JPEG format with all text legible and no glare. Common rejection reasons include blurry images, incorrect dimensions, and glare on the passport scan.
Step-by-Step Laos eVisa Application Process for Canadians
The Laos eVisa application has 3 official steps: Apply online, Pay the $50 USD fee, and Download the approved eVisa from email.
Apply
Complete the online application form on laoevisa.gov.la with full name, nationality, passport number, contact details, intended port of entry and travel dates. Upload the digital photo and passport scan.
Pay
Pay the $50 USD eVisa fee by credit or debit card.
Download
Receive the approved Laos eVisa as a PDF via email within 3 business days. Print a copy before travel. Track your application status using the Application ID on the portal.
Laos eVisa Fees, Payment and Processing Time
The Laos eVisa costs $50 USD, paid by credit or debit card on laoevisa.gov.la. Submit at least 60 days before entry. Check status using your Application ID on the portal.
| Service | Cost | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official portal (laoevisa.gov.la) | $50 USD | ~3 business days | No service fee; direct from government |
| Sherpa (apply.joinsherpa.com) | Higher | Varies | 99% approval rate; Visa Run Inc. |
| VisaHQ (visahq.com) | Higher | Varies | 4.40/5 rating (4,207 reviews); 20+ years |
Ports of Entry Accepting the Laos eVisa
The Laos eVisa is accepted at 9 designated checkpoints. Not all land border crossings accept the eVisa, so verify your chosen checkpoint before departure.
| Entry checkpoint | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wattay International Airport | Airport | Vientiane |
| Luang Prabang International Airport | Airport | Luang Prabang |
| Pakse International Airport | Airport | Pakse |
| Boten Railway Station | Railway | China-Laos border |
| Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I | Land border | Thailand-Laos |
| Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II | Land border | Thailand-Laos |
| Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge III | Land border | Thailand-Laos |
| Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV | Land border | Thailand-Laos |
| Additional designated checkpoints | Various | Verify at laoevisa.gov.la |
Laos eVisa Eligibility for Citizens of Mexico, Brazil and Other Americas Countries
Citizens of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru and the US are eligible under the same requirements as Canadians: $50 USD fee, 3 business days processing, 30-day stay, 60-day validity. Entry conditions are identical for all listed nationalities holding a Laos eVisa.
| Country | eVisa Eligible | Visa on Arrival Eligible | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes | Yes | Primary audience of this article |
| Mexico | Yes | Yes | Same requirements as Canada |
| Brazil | Yes | Yes | Yellow Fever certificate may be required |
| Argentina | Yes | Yes | Same requirements as Canada |
| Colombia | Yes | Yes | Yellow Fever certificate may be required |
| Chile | Yes | Yes | Same requirements as Canada |
| Peru | Yes | Yes | Yellow Fever certificate may be required |
| United States | Yes | Yes | Same requirements as Canada |
Health Requirements for Brazilian, Mexican and Other Americas Citizens
Even with a valid Laos eVisa, travellers arriving from or transiting through Yellow Fever endemic zones including Brazil, Colombia and Peru must present a vaccination certificate administered at least 10 days before entry. Mexico and Central American citizens do not need a Yellow Fever certificate unless transiting through endemic zones. The Laos eVisa does not exempt holders from this WHO requirement. Entry may be denied without a valid certificate.
Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF): Requirement for eVisa Holders
Since 1 September 2025, all foreigners entering Laos, including Laos eVisa holders, must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) at immigration.gov.la at least 3 days before arrival. The LDIF is a separate digital arrival and departure registration, distinct from the Laos eVisa. Visit immigration.gov.la, fill in personal details, passport information and travel dates, then submit electronically.
eVisa vs Visa on Arrival: Which Option Is Better for Canadians?
The Laos eVisa can be extended once for up to 30 additional days.
| Criterion | Laos eVisa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $50 USD | Payable at border |
| Processing | 3 business days (online, before travel) | On the spot (queue at border) |
| Accepted ports | 9 designated checkpoints | Some checkpoints only |
| Pre-approval | Yes | No |
Holding an approved Laos eVisa, Canadians skip the on-arrival queue; visa on arrival means waiting at the border and is accepted at fewer checkpoints.
Extending Your Laos eVisa: What Canadian Travellers Need to Know
Canadian travellers can extend a Laos eVisa once for up to 30 additional days by applying at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane before the current stay expires. Required documents include a valid passport, an extension application form and a current passport photo. Overstaying without an approved extension risks fines or future entry bans.
Department of Immigration, Nongping Road, Dongnasok Village, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane Capital. Telephone: (021) 219 607. Hotline: 1502.Official Sources and Avoiding Visa Scams
The only official Laos eVisa portal is laoevisa.gov.la. Third-party services such as Sherpa and VisaHQ charge additional service fees above the $50 USD official Laos eVisa fee. Avoid websites claiming to be the official portal but charging inflated fees. Verify the domain and SSL certificate before entering personal data.
Sources: laoevisa.gov.la (accessed 10 September 2026); immigration.gov.la (accessed 10 September 2026); travel.gc.ca; gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos.
FAQ
How much does a Laos eVisa cost for Canadian citizens in 2026?
The official fee for a Laos eVisa is $50 USD, payable by credit or debit card on laoevisa.gov.la. Third-party services add service fees; the official portal charges only the visa fee.
How long does it take to process a Laos eVisa from Canada?
Standard processing time for a Laos eVisa is 3 business days. Submit at least 60 days before travel. Check status using your Application ID on the portal.
What documents do I need to apply for a Laos eVisa as a Canadian?
A valid Canadian passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), a digital photo (413×531 px, JPEG/PNG), a passport biographical page scan (PDF/JPEG), and an email address.
Is the Laos eVisa single-entry or multiple-entry?
The Laos eVisa is strictly single-entry. It is valid for 60 days from issuance and permits a maximum stay of up to 30 consecutive days.
Which entry checkpoints in Laos accept the eVisa?
The Laos eVisa is accepted at 9 designated checkpoints: Wattay, Luang Prabang and Pakse airports, Boten Railway Station, and Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges I to IV.
Do I need to complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) if I have an eVisa?
Yes. Since 1 September 2025, all foreigners including Laos eVisa holders must submit the LDIF at immigration.gov.la at least 3 days before arrival.
Can I extend my Laos eVisa stay beyond 30 days?
Yes, once for an additional 30 days. Apply at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane (Nongping Road, Sikhottabong District) before your current stay expires.
Do Brazilian citizens need a Yellow Fever certificate for a Laos eVisa?
Yes. Travellers from endemic countries including Brazil must hold a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate administered at least 10 days before entering Laos.
