The Laos eVisa for Indians requires a passport valid for 6 months from arrival and costs USD 50 via the government portal. Pakistani passport holders are not eligible for the eVisa and must apply for a sticker visa at a Lao embassy. Indian citizens complete the three-step online process at laoevisa.gov.la, receiving approval via email within 3 to 5 business days. Pakistani citizens apply through a Lao embassy with a processing window of 5 to 10 business days. All fees and timelines below were verified on 10 September 2026 against laoevisa.gov.la and GOV.UK travel advice.
Laos eVisa for Indian citizens requires a passport valid 6+ months from arrival with 2 blank pages and a digital photo (4×6 cm, white background). The government fee is USD 50 via laoevisa.gov.la; processing takes 3-5 business days. Pakistani citizens are not eligible for the eVisa and must apply at a Lao embassy. The eVisa allows a 30-day single-entry stay and is valid for 60 days from issuance.
India vs Pakistan – Key Differences at a Glance
The Laos eVisa for Indian citizens permits a fully online application through the government portal at laoevisa.gov.la, while Pakistani passport holders are not eligible for the eVisa system and must obtain a sticker visa through a Lao embassy.
| Attribute | Indian Citizens | Pakistani Citizens |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Eligible for eVisa | Not eligible – embassy route required |
| Application Route | Online at laoevisa.gov.la | Lao embassy (sticker visa) |
| Fee | USD 50 (non-refundable) | ~USD 40-50 |
| Processing Time | 3-5 business days | 5-10 business days |
| Maximum Stay | 30 days, single entry | 30 days, single entry |
The Laos eVisa for Indians has a 60-day entry window from issuance; both nationalities share a 30-day single-entry stay, as confirmed by Lao immigration and GOV.UK travel advice.
Laos eVisa for Indian Citizens – Eligibility & Requirements
The Laos eVisa for Indian citizens requires a passport valid at least 6 months from the date of arrival with a minimum of 2 blank pages, plus a digital photograph measuring 4 x 6 cm with a white background, no eyewear, taken within the last 6 months. Indian citizens cannot enter Laos visa-free; a visa (eVisa or VoA) is required.
Passport Validity & Blank Page Rules
A passport expiring within 6 months of the arrival date will trigger Laos eVisa rejection or denial of entry at the border. The Laos eVisa for Indians requires at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps. A passport with only 5 months of validity remaining will be rejected at the application stage, not at the border, saving you from travel disruption.
Tourist vs Business eVisa
The single-entry tourist Laos eVisa for Indians cannot be used for business meetings with Lao companies. Business travel requires a separate business visa, which may need an invitation letter from a Lao entity and different supporting documents. The eVisa is strictly for tourism purposes.
Laos eVisa for Pakistani Citizens – Embassy Application Route
The Laos eVisa for Pakistani citizens is not available, as Pakistani passport holders are not eligible for the online eVisa system. Pakistani applicants must obtain a physical sticker visa through a Lao embassy, with processing taking 5-10 business days and a fee of approximately USD 40-50.
Gather required documents
Passport valid 6 months from arrival, completed application form, passport-size photos, travel itinerary, and bank statement.
Submit the application in person
Submit at the Embassy of the Lao PDR.
Pay the embassy visa fee
Fee of USD 40-50.
Wait for processing
5-10 business days.
Collect the sticker visa
Sticker visa affixed to your passport.
The Laos eVisa for Pakistani citizens remains unavailable in 2026. Apply at least 3-4 weeks before departure to account for embassy processing and document verification. Verify current Embassy of the Lao PDR contact details before applying.
How to Apply for the Laos eVisa – Steps & Fees
Fill the application form
Complete the form at laoevisa.gov.la with passport data, travel itinerary, and digital photograph.
Pay the government fee
USD 50 non-refundable fee via Visa, Mastercard, or JCB.
Download the approved eVisa
Download the Laos eVisa for Indians PDF from the confirmation email.
Photo Requirements
The Laos eVisa for Indian citizens requires a digital photograph of 4 x 6 cm with a plain white background, in JPEG or PNG format. No glasses, no head coverings (unless religious), taken within the last 6 months. Dark backgrounds, blurry images, wrong crop, and outdated photos rank among the most frequent rejection causes on the Lao eVisa portal.
Accepted Payment Methods & Fee Breakdown
The Laos eVisa for Indians carries a flat government fee of USD 50, payable via Visa, Mastercard, or JCB at laoevisa.gov.la. Third-party platforms such as Atlys charge INR 4,900, which includes a service markup on top of the base government fee. Applying directly avoids intermediary costs.
Laos eVisa Processing Time & Application Tracking
The Laos eVisa for Indians processes within 3-5 business days, extending to 7-10 business days during peak season (November-February), according to the Lao eVisa portal. Submit your application at least 14 days before departure. Track your Laos eVisa for Indians status at laoevisa.gov.la using your Application ID and passport number. Status meanings: Pending, Approved, or Rejected. If rejected, correct the errors and reapply.
Visa on Arrival vs eVisa for Indian Citizens
Indian citizens can obtain a Laos visa on arrival at major airports for approximately USD 30-35, but the Laos eVisa for Indians eliminates queues and guarantees pre-approval.
| Attribute | Laos eVisa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | USD 50 | USD 30-35 |
| Processing | Pre-approved (3-5 days) | Queue at airport |
| Queue time at border | eVisa lane: ~5-10 min | Peak season: 30-60 min |
| Documents | Passport + photo (online) | Passport + photo + cash |
| Entry ports | 9 designated checkpoints | Major airports only |
| Risk level | Low (pre-approved) | Medium (queue, staffing) |
| Recommendation | Best for planning certainty | Last-minute fallback only |
At Wattay International Airport during peak season, expect VoA queues of 30-60 minutes. For overland arrivals at Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, the Laos eVisa for Indians is strongly recommended, as VoA kiosks can be understaffed.
Laos eVisa Entry Points, Common Mistakes & Scam Warnings
The Laos eVisa for Indians is accepted at 9 designated entry checkpoints:
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
- Luang Prabang International Airport
- Pakse International Airport
- Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane, Nong Khai)
- Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet, Mukdahan)
- Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge III (Dansavanh, Lao Bao)
- Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge IV (Bang Phuoc, Khamsavath)
- Boten Railway Station (China-Laos Railway)
- Nam Phao / Cau Treo (Vietnam land border)
Top 5 application mistakes for the Laos eVisa for Indians: (1) wrong photo dimensions or dark background, (2) passport expiring within 6 months of arrival, (3) typo in passport number or surname/given-name order, (4) wrong file format or oversized image, (5) applying for the wrong visa type.
Avoid scam sites; apply only at laoevisa.gov.la (fee USD 50, Visa/Mastercard/JCB). Red flags: guaranteed approval claims, fees above USD 50, non-.gov.la domains, and Google Ads leading to look-alike sites. Bookmark the government URL directly.
After You Arrive – eVisa Duration, Extensions & Overstay Rules
The Laos eVisa for Indians permits a 30-day single-entry stay. The 60-day validity window from issuance means you must enter Laos within 60 days; the 30-day stay clock starts at border entry. The Laos eVisa for Indians is extendable once for 30 additional days at the Immigration Department in Vientiane for ~USD 30, processing in 2-3 business days. Bring your passport, original visa, passport photo, and proof of address in Laos.
Overstay incurs ~USD 10 per day payable at the airport on departure. A 5-day overstay equals ~USD 50. Extended overstay of 30+ days risks detention, fines up to USD 500, and a potential future visa ban.
FAQ
Can Indian citizens get a Laos visa on arrival in 2026?
Yes, Indian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at major airports for approximately USD 30 to USD 35. However, the Laos eVisa for Indians is recommended to avoid peak-season queues and guarantee pre-approval before departure.
Are Pakistani citizens eligible for the Laos eVisa?
No, Pakistani passport holders are not eligible for the Laos eVisa. They must apply for a sticker visa through a Lao embassy. Embassy processing takes 5 to 10 business days; submit documents at least 3 to 4 weeks before departure.
How much does the Laos eVisa cost for Indian citizens?
The non-refundable government fee for the Laos eVisa for Indians is USD 50, payable at laoevisa.gov.la via Visa, Mastercard, or JCB. Third-party platforms like Atlys charge approximately INR 4,900, which includes their service markup.
How long does the Laos eVisa take to process?
Standard processing for the Laos eVisa for Indians takes 3 to 5 business days. During peak season (November to February), processing can extend to 7 to 10 business days. Submit your application at least 14 days before departure.
What passport validity do I need for the Laos eVisa?
Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your date of arrival in Laos and contain at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps. Failure to meet this requirement results in eVisa rejection or denial of entry at the border.
How long can I stay in Laos with the eVisa?
The Laos eVisa for Indians allows a maximum stay of 30 consecutive days on a single entry. You must enter Laos within the 60-day validity window from issuance. The visa is extendable once for 30 additional days.
Can I extend my Laos eVisa after arriving?
Yes, you can extend the Laos eVisa for Indians once for up to 30 additional days at the Immigration Department in Vientiane. The extension fee is approximately USD 30, and processing takes 2 to 3 business days. Bring your passport, original visa, and a passport photo.
What happens if I overstay my Laos eVisa?
Overstaying the Laos eVisa for Indians incurs a penalty of approximately USD 10 per day, payable at the airport upon departure. Extended overstay of 30 days or more may result in detention, fines up to USD 500, and a potential ban on future Lao visa applications.
Do I need a return flight or hotel booking for the Laos eVisa?
A return flight or hotel booking is not mandatory for the Laos eVisa for Indians application. However, immigration officers may request proof of onward travel and accommodation at the border. Carry printed copies of your return flight itinerary and hotel confirmation.
What is the government portal to apply for the Laos eVisa?
The only legitimate portal to apply for the Laos eVisa for Indians is laoevisa.gov.la. Avoid third-party scam websites that charge fees above USD 50 or claim guaranteed approval. Bookmark the government URL directly to ensure your application is secure.
