British travellers holding a Laos eVisa can extend their stay up to two times, each adding 30 days, for a maximum of 60 additional days. Overstaying incurs a daily fine of 20,000 LAK (~US$2) per day, escalating to detention and deportation after 30 days. If your eVisa expires or is lost, immediate action at a local immigration office is required.
A Laos eVisa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue (not from entry) and permits a stay of 30 days from the date of entry. The eVisa is single-entry, meaning you cannot re-enter Laos on the same visa once you leave. Extensions must be requested in person at an immigration office at least 3 days before the current visa expires. Since 1 January 2025, GOV.UK confirms that British nationals are allowed to extend a tourist visa twice while in Laos. From 1 September 2025, all foreigners passing through the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I checkpoint must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) before entry or departure.
Laos eVisa: Validity, Duration, and Extension Limits
The Laos eVisa extension system allows British travellers to legally prolong their stay by up to 60 additional days in total, per GOV.UK guidance effective 1 January 2025. Tourists may extend their tourist visa twice while in Laos, each extension granting 30 days.
The 60-day validity runs from the issue date printed on the eVisa, not your arrival date. The permitted 30-day stay is counted from the entry stamp placed in your passport by immigration authorities at the port of arrival.
The eVisa is single-entry – a Laos eVisa extension does not override this constraint. Once you depart Laos, you cannot re-enter on the same visa. For a detailed comparison of entry types, see our guide on Laos eVisa single vs multiple entry.
How to Extend Your Laos eVisa: Step-by-Step Guide and Locations
To extend a Laos eVisa, visit an immigration office in person at least 3 days before expiry with your passport, 2 photos, and a completed form.
Check eligibility
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Submit your Laos eVisa extension application at least 3 days before the current visa expires.
Prepare documents
Bring your passport, 2 passport-sized photos (3×4 cm), a completed extension application form (available on-site), a printed eVisa copy, and proof of accommodation.
Visit an immigration office in person
Online extension is not available. The main office is in Vientiane: Nongping Road, Dongnasok Village, Sikhottabong District (hotline: 1502, phone: (021) 219 607). Provincial offices are located in Luang Prabang (northern Laos), Pakse (southern gateway), and Savannakhet (near the Thai border). Note: Only the Vientiane office address is officially published; for provincial offices, ask locally for “immigration office” directions.
Pay the fee
The Laos eVisa extension costs 20,000 LAK per day (~US$2), payable in cash (LAK or USD).
Collect your passport
Processing takes 1-3 business days; your passport remains at the office during this time.
Practical tip: The Vientiane office is the main hub and busiest – arrive early to avoid queues. Bring exact change in LAK where possible, as the office may not have change for large USD notes.
Laos eVisa Extension Cost, Fees, and Processing Time
A Laos eVisa extension costs approximately 20,000 LAK (~US$2) per day, totalling about 600,000 LAK (~US$52) for a full 30-day extension; processing takes 1-3 business days.
The Laos eVisa extension fee is calculated per day of additional stay. Payment must be made in cash only, with either LAK or USD accepted at the immigration office. There is no express or same-day processing option available. Your passport is held at the office during processing, and you receive a receipt to collect it once the extension stamp is ready.
| Option | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa extension (30 days) | ~600,000 LAK (~US$52) | Legitimate, no legal risk |
| Overstay fine (30 days) | ~600,000 LAK (~US$52) + legal risk | Same monetary cost but carries detention/deportation risk |
| Border run (exit + re-enter) | Transport cost + new visa on arrival fee | Requires leaving Laos; new 30-day stay granted |
| New eVisa from abroad | Standard eVisa fee + processing time | Must be applied outside Laos; single-entry constraint applies |
We recommend exchanging LAK in advance at a bank or official exchange booth in Vientiane, as the immigration office accepts only cash and the exchange rate offered nearby may be less favourable.
Laos eVisa Overstay Penalties and Airport Scenarios
Overstaying a Laos eVisa incurs a fine of 20,000 LAK (~US$2) per day, escalating to detention, deportation, and a re-entry ban after 30 days. The fine is enforced at the point of departure, whether at an airport or a land border checkpoint.
| Overstay Duration | Consequences |
|---|---|
| 1 to 7 days | Fine of 20,000 LAK/day, formal warning, may be allowed to depart after paying |
| 8 to 30 days | Higher cumulative fine, formal interrogation, risk of short-term detention |
| 30+ days | Court proceedings, formal detention, forced deportation, re-entry ban (duration set by authorities) |
The daily overstay fine equals the daily Laos eVisa extension fee, but the legal risks differ sharply. A 1-day overstay means you pay at the immigration counter and depart. A 14-day overstay costs 280,000 LAK (~US$28) in fines (14 x 20,000 LAK) and triggers formal interrogation, plus the risk of short-term detention. A 60+ day overstay leads to detention and deportation proceedings.
Emergency Action Plan: Expired, Lost eVisa, or Lost Passport
If your Laos eVisa expires, visit an immigration office immediately to pay fines; if lost, reprint it or file a police report for a lost passport. The Laos eVisa extension process cannot be initiated after expiry – applications must be submitted at least 3 days before the visa expires.
Track A: eVisa Expired, Passport Intact
Go to the nearest immigration office immediately
If outside office hours, contact the main Vientiane office (hotline: 1502) the next working day. Do not attempt to leave the country without first declaring the overstay, as the fine is enforced at departure.
Pay the accumulated fine
Pay 20,000 LAK per day (~US$2/day) in cash (LAK or USD).
Depart Laos as soon as possible
Once the fine is paid and your overstay is formally resolved, leave the country promptly to avoid further complications.
Track B: Passport Lost or Stolen Inside Laos
- File a police report at the nearest station to obtain a certificate of loss (bring a passport-size photo, passport copy if available, and written loss statement).
- Contact the British Embassy in Vientiane for an emergency travel document.
- Visit the Immigration Department with the police report and emergency travel document to obtain an exit visa.
Nongping Road, Dongnasok Village, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane Capital
Telephone: (021) 219 607 | Hotline: 1502 | Fax: (021) 251 287
Track C: eVisa Printout Lost, Passport Valid
- Reprint the eVisa PDF from your original approval email.
- If email is inaccessible, visit laoevisa.gov.la and use the Application ID retrieval feature with your order details.
- If neither works, visit the immigration office with your passport for guidance.
Medical Emergency and Overstay Waiver
Hospitalisation may support a penalty reduction. Present a medical certificate from a Lao hospital to immigration authorities; the British Embassy can provide guidance. No formal waiver policy exists – cases are handled individually.
Practical Tips, Visa Alternatives, and Contact Information
Set reminders for 14, 7, and 3 days before your Laos eVisa stay expires, and submit your Laos eVisa extension application early to avoid penalties.
- Count from your entry date (stamped in passport), not the eVisa issue date.
- Complete a passport validity check – your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
- Complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF), launched 1 September 2025, at immigration.gov.la before departure.
- Border run: exit Laos and re-enter with a new visa on arrival (30 days, single-entry).
- Common mistakes to avoid: applying exactly 3 days before expiry (arrive earlier if possible), or bringing a photocopy instead of your original passport – originals are required for a Laos eVisa extension.
For consular assistance, British travellers should consult gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos.
Last updated: September 2026. This article is reviewed regularly and updated when Lao immigration regulations change. This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice – always confirm current requirements with the Department of Immigration of Lao PDR or GOV.UK before travelling.
Laos eVisa extension and overstay penalties – FAQ
How long is a Laos eVisa valid for?
A Laos eVisa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Your permitted stay is 30 days from the date of entry. The eVisa is single-entry, so you cannot re-enter Laos once you depart on this visa.
How much does a Laos eVisa extension cost in 2026?
A Laos eVisa extension costs 20,000 LAK (~US$2) per day, totalling approximately 600,000 LAK (~US$52) for a full 30-day extension. Payment is cash only (LAK or USD) at the immigration office.
What is the overstay fine for a Laos eVisa?
The overstay fine is 20,000 LAK (~US$2) per day, enforced at the point of departure. Prolonged overstays carry escalating legal risks including interrogation, detention, and deportation.
Can I extend my Laos eVisa after it expires?
Officially, no. Extension applications must be submitted at least 3 days before expiry. Some offices may process late requests with an added overstay fine, but this is not guaranteed – do not rely on this option.
Can I get a Laos visa extension at the airport?
No. Airport immigration handles entry and exit only. You must visit an immigration office in person in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse, or Savannakhet to apply for a Laos eVisa extension.
What should I do if my Laos eVisa is lost or stolen?
Reprint the eVisa PDF from your approval email, or use the retrieval feature at laoevisa.gov.la. If your passport is also lost, file a police report, contact the British Embassy in Vientiane for an emergency travel document, then visit the Immigration Department for an exit visa.
How long does it take to process a Laos visa extension?
Processing takes 1 to 3 business days. Your passport is held at the office during processing. There is no express or same-day service – submit your Laos eVisa extension application early.
Do I need passport photos for a Laos eVisa extension?
Yes. Bring at least 2 passport-sized photographs (3×4 cm), plus your valid passport, completed extension form, printed eVisa copy, proof of accommodation, and the fee in cash.
How many times can I extend my Laos eVisa?
You can extend your Laos eVisa up to 2 times, for a maximum of 60 additional days beyond the initial 30-day stay (GOV.UK, 1 January 2025).
What happens if I overstay my Laos visa by more than 30 days?
Overstaying by 30 days or more can result in formal detention, court proceedings, forced deportation at your own expense, and a re-entry ban. Contact the British Embassy in Vientiane and the Immigration Department hotline at 1502.
