The standard Laos eVisa fee is $50 USD for a single-entry tourist visa. UK travellers should budget approximately £42 to £50 in total, including card processing fees (2.5 to 3.5%) and currency conversion margins (1.5 to 3%). The fee is non-refundable once paid through the portal at laoevisa.gov.la. Last verified against laoevisa.gov.la: 10 September 2026.
Beyond the headline government fee, several additional costs inflate the final amount: card processing surcharges of 2.5 to 3.5%, currency conversion margins of 1.5 to 3%, and potential weekend border surcharges of $2 to $10 USD per person. This breakdown covers every fee layer so UK travellers can budget accurately.
How Much Does the Laos eVisa Cost in 2026?
The standard Laos eVisa fee is $50 USD for a single-entry tourist visa, strictly non-refundable once submitted. This electronic travel authorization is priced in USD at laoevisa.gov.la, so UK applicants must convert to GBP to understand the true cost. A multiple-entry variant carries a higher Laos eVisa fee of $100 USD. The fee is non-refundable whether the application is approved, rejected, or cancelled, meaning a rejected submission due to a photo or document error requires a fresh payment of the full Laos eVisa fee.
eVisa vs Visa on Arrival: Which Option Actually Saves You Money?
- Bundles digital pre-approval into a single online payment
- Eliminates 45 to 90 minute border queues
- Reduces on-the-spot refusal risk to near zero
- Costs $15 more than the $35 USD Visa on Arrival (or THB 1,500)
| Factor | eVisa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | $50 USD | $35 USD / THB 1,500 |
| Queue time | Minimal (pre-approved) | 30-90 minutes |
| Refusal risk at border | Near zero | Possible |
| Payment currency | USD online | USD / THB / LAK at border |
Total Cost Breakdown: What UK Travellers Actually Pay
UK travellers pay an estimated £42 to £44 total for a Laos eVisa on a weekday with a standard card, rising to £44 to £52 with a weekend land-border surcharge. The breakdown below uses an indicative exchange rate of £1 = $1.25 (interbank rate as of 10 September 2026; actual rate may vary by card issuer).
| Fee Component | USD | GBP Estimate (£1 = $1.25) |
|---|---|---|
| Government eVisa fee | $50.00 | ~£40.00 |
| Card processing surcharge (~3%) | $1.50 | ~£1.20 |
| FX conversion margin (~2%) | $1.00 | ~£0.80 |
| Foreign transaction fee | – | £0-£1.50 |
| Weekend border surcharge (if applicable) | $2-$10 | £1.60-£8.00 |
| Total (weekday, standard card) | $52.50-$54.50 | £42-£44 |
| Total (weekend entry, max fees) | $54.50-$62.50 | £44-£52 |
To minimise the total Laos eVisa cost, use a fee-free travel card such as Starling or Monzo, apply on a weekday, and pay in USD if prompted to avoid dynamic currency conversion.
Hidden Costs Most Travellers Don’t Know About
Land border crossings may charge an additional $2 to $10 USD weekend or overtime surcharge not published on laoevisa.gov.la, and card processing adds 2.5 to 3.5% on top, pushing the total from $50 to $62.50 USD (approximately £44 to £52 GBP with a weekend land-border entry).
Weekend and Overtime Surcharges at Land Borders
Land border crossings may add a $2 to $10 USD per-person surcharge outside standard hours (before 8am, after 4pm, weekends, Lao public holidays). Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane-Nong Khai) is the most consistent enforcer. This charge is semi-official and not published on the eVisa portal. Arrive Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, to avoid it entirely.
Card Processing and Currency Conversion
The fee is processed in USD through a third-party payment gateway (software version 1.2.11). Visa and Mastercard incur a 2.5 to 3.5% surcharge; Amex may reach 5%. UK banks then apply a 1.5 to 3% FX spread above the interbank rate, plus a possible foreign transaction fee of £0 to £1.50. Using a fee-free travel card (Starling, Monzo) eliminates the transaction fee entirely.
Photo Resubmission Risk
If your passport photo is rejected (wrong dimensions, non-white background, face not centred), the application is returned as rejected. The portal does not confirm whether resubmission requires a fresh $50 USD payment. Ensure your photo meets 4×6 cm specifications before first submission to avoid paying the Laos eVisa fee twice.
Payment Methods and Processing Times
The Laos eVisa fee is paid online in USD via Visa or Mastercard through a secured payment method on the portal. Cash, bank transfer, and cryptocurrency are not accepted. Some travellers report UnionPay availability. Your card issuer converts the USD charge to GBP at the point of transaction.
Standard processing takes 3 business days, with delays of up to 5 to 7 days during peak season (November to February and Lao New Year). No expedited or fast-track tier is available through the portal. You can track your application using the Application ID issued at submission. The Laos eVisa fee is non-refundable whether the application is approved, rejected, or cancelled, with no formal appeal process for rejected submissions.
Eligibility, Extensions and Overstay Penalties
UK passport holders with at least 6 months of passport validity beyond intended stay can use the Laos eVisa at the following ports of entry. The Laos eVisa fee covers a single-entry tourist e-visa valid for 60 days from the date of issue, permitting a maximum stay of 30 days per entry.
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
- Luang Prabang International Airport
- Pakse International Airport
- Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane-Nong Khai)
- Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet-Mukdahan)
- Friendship Bridge III (Paksan-Bueng Kan)
- Chong Mek (Vientiane Province)
Smaller checkpoints do not accept the eVisa, so travellers entering there must purchase a Visa on Arrival at $35 USD, an additional cost on top of the Laos eVisa fee already paid.
Extensions are processed at the Immigration Office in Vientiane at approximately $2/day for up to 30 additional days. Overstaying without an extension incurs a penalty of approximately $10/day, payable at the airport on departure.
Laos eVisa Fee: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does the Laos eVisa cost in 2026?
The standard Laos eVisa fee is $50 USD for a single-entry tourist visa. The multiple-entry option costs $100 USD.
Is the Laos eVisa fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No. The Laos eVisa fee is strictly non-refundable. If rejected due to a photo or document error, you must reapply and pay the full $50 USD fee again. There is no formal appeal process.
Does the Laos eVisa have a weekend surcharge?
The application fee itself does not change on weekends. However, entering at a land border outside standard hours (before 8am, after 4pm, weekends, Lao public holidays) may incur an additional $2 to $10 USD per person. Friendship Bridge I is the most consistent enforcer.
How do I calculate the Laos eVisa cost in British pounds?
Take the $50 USD government fee, add approximately 2.5 to 3.5% for card processing and 1.5 to 3% for currency conversion. At £1 = $1.25, the total comes to approximately £42 to £44 GBP on a weekday, or up to £52 with a weekend border surcharge.
Is the Laos eVisa cheaper than a visa on arrival?
No. The Laos eVisa costs $50 USD, which is $15 more than the Visa on Arrival at $35 USD (or THB 1,500). However, the eVisa eliminates 45 to 90 minutes of border queue time and removes the risk of on-the-spot refusal.
What payment methods are accepted for the Laos eVisa?
Visa and Mastercard are the primary accepted methods. Payment is processed in USD through a secured online payment gateway. Some travellers report UnionPay availability. No cash, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency is accepted.
Which border crossings accept the Laos eVisa?
Three international airports (Wattay, Luang Prabang, Pakse) and four major land crossings (Friendship Bridges I, II, III, and Chong Mek). Smaller checkpoints require a Visa on Arrival at an additional $35 USD.
How long is the Laos eVisa valid and how long can I stay?
Valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Maximum permitted stay is 30 days per entry on a single-entry eVisa.
Can I extend my Laos eVisa after arrival?
Yes. Apply at the Immigration Office in Vientiane for an extension at approximately $2 USD per day, for up to 30 additional days. Overstaying without an extension incurs a penalty of approximately $10 USD per day.
What happens if my photo is rejected during the eVisa application?
Your application will be returned as rejected. Ensure your photo meets the 4×6 cm specification with a white background and a centred face before first submission to avoid the risk of paying the Laos eVisa fee twice.
