Last updated: September 2026. Reviewed by our editorial team, who monitor Lao eVisa policy changes monthly in line with FCDO Laos travel advice and the Lao Embassy in London.
UK citizens must apply for a Laos tourist eVisa before travel. The 30-day option costs $50 and the 60-day option costs $80. Both require proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket. Processing takes 3 business days via the online portal at laoevisa.gov.la.
The Laos tourist eVisa is a single-entry electronic travel authorisation for tourism, available to UK passport holders who are not visa-exempt. Both the 30-day and 60-day variants share a 60-day validity window from the date of issuance, during which you must enter Laos. You can apply directly at laoevisa.gov.la, where the three-step process (Apply, Pay, Download) delivers your approval letter by email. The Laos tourist eVisa is strictly for tourism and cannot be used for business, study, or employment.
Since January 2025, tourists can extend their eVisa twice while in Laos at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane, paying approximately $30 per extension with a processing time of 3 to 5 business days.
Laos Tourist eVisa: 30-Day vs 60-Day Options, Fees & Processing
The Laos tourist eVisa costs USD 50 for the 30-day variant and USD 80 for the 60-day variant, payable online by credit or debit card through the secured payment system. Processing takes 3 business days; GOV.UK advises applying at least 5 days before departure. Both variants are single entry and must be used within the 60-day validity window from the date of issue.
| Feature | 30-Day eVisa | 60-Day eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted stay | 30 continuous days | 60 continuous days |
| Government fee | USD 50 | USD 80 |
| Validity window | 60 days from issuance | 60 days from issuance |
| Entry type | Single entry | Single entry |
| Processing time | 3 business days | 3 business days |
| Best for | 2-week holiday | 5-week backpacker trip |
Some UK bank cards may charge a foreign transaction fee. Third-party visa services such as CIBTvisas or VisaHQ are not government bodies and charge additional service fees on top of the Laos tourist eVisa government fee.
How to Apply for the Laos Tourist eVisa from the UK
Apply
Fill in the online application form at laoevisa.gov.la with personal details, passport data, and travel dates. Upload a passport biographical page scan and a digital photo (350×450 px, JPG/PNG, white background, no glasses, taken within 6 months).
Pay
Submit payment by credit or debit card through the secured portal.
Download
Receive the approved Laos tourist eVisa by email and save the PDF approval letter for printing.
Use your Application ID for Laos tourist eVisa status enquiries on the portal.
Proof of Accommodation Requirements for the Laos eVisa
The Laos tourist eVisa application requires valid proof of accommodation: a hotel reservation, Airbnb confirmation, or signed host invitation letter. Upload format is PDF or JPG, within the portal’s file size limits. A host invitation letter must include the host’s address and a copy of their ID.
| Accepted | Not Accepted |
|---|---|
| Hotel reservation PDF | Unconfirmed hostel intentions |
| Airbnb confirmation email | Screenshots of search results |
| Host invitation letter (address + ID copy) | Vague itineraries without booking reference |
Return and Onward Travel Ticket Rules for the Laos eVisa
For the Laos tourist eVisa, airlines check for a return or onward ticket before boarding, not just at the Lao border.
- Return flight booking confirmation – accepted in printout or mobile format; print a backup.
- Onward bus or train ticket to Thailand or Vietnam – accepted as onward travel proof.
- Cruise itinerary – accepted for cruise-arrival travellers.
Overlanders without fixed dates should book a refundable or flexible ticket. Example: a London to Vientiane one-way flight paired with an onward bus booking to Bangkok satisfies the Laos tourist eVisa onward-travel requirement.
Entry Points, Extensions & eVisa vs Visa on Arrival
The Laos tourist eVisa is accepted at 3 airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse) and 4 land crossings (Friendship Bridges 1, 2, 4, and the Mohan-Boten railway). Some smaller posts do not accept it.
| Feature | Laos tourist eVisa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | USD 50 (30-day) / USD 80 (60-day) | ~USD 30-42 (varies by nationality) |
| Processing | Pre-approved online, 3 business days | Queue at airport counter |
| Documents | Uploaded digitally before travel | Passport photos + cash at border |
| Entry type | Single entry | Single entry |
Since January 2025, the Laos tourist eVisa can be extended twice in-country at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane, costing ~USD 30 per extension with a processing time of 3-5 business days. You will need your passport, an application form, and the extension fee.
Common Mistakes & UK Travellers’ Checklist
5 Common Application Mistakes
- Applying too late: processing takes 3 business days; apply at least 5 days before departure per GOV.UK guidance.
- Blurry passport scan: upload a sharp colour scan of the biographical page from a passport with 6+ months validity.
- Wrong photo dimensions: the portal requires 350×450 px, JPG or PNG, white background, no glasses.
- Wrong entry checkpoint selected: match the airport or land crossing on the form to your actual arrival point.
- Forgetting to print the approval letter: the Laos tourist eVisa approval PDF must be presented at the border; print two copies and keep a digital backup.
In our experience helping UK travellers with the Laos tourist eVisa, the most frequent rejection cause is a blurry passport scan or wrong photo dimensions. One traveller applied for the 60-day eVisa with a dark, low-resolution photo and was rejected; after resubmitting with a correct 350×450 px image on a white background, approval arrived within 3 business days. Double-check every file before submission.
UK Travellers’ Pre-Departure Checklist
- British passport valid 6+ months from arrival, with at least 1 blank visa page
- eVisa approval letter printed (2 copies) plus digital backup
- Travel insurance arranged; the NHS or GHIC does not fully cover Laos
- FCDO Laos travel advice reviewed
- Emergency British Embassy contact (Vientiane) saved
- Proof of accommodation and return ticket printed
Laos Tourist eVisa 2026: FAQ
How long does it take to get a Laos tourist eVisa in 2026?
Processing takes 3 business days from submission at laoevisa.gov.la. GOV.UK advises applying at least 5 business days before departure.
What documents do I need for the Laos tourist eVisa application?
You need four items: a scanned passport biographical page, a digital passport photo (350×450 px, JPG/PNG, white background), proof of accommodation (hotel booking, Airbnb confirmation, or host invitation letter), and a return or onward travel ticket. Your passport must have 6 months validity and one blank visa page.
Can I get a 60-day Laos tourist eVisa directly, or extend a 30-day?
The 60-day eVisa is available directly for $80. Alternatively, apply for the 30-day eVisa ($50) and extend it in-country. Since January 2025, tourists can extend twice at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane, each costing ~$30 and taking 3-5 business days.
What counts as proof of accommodation for the Laos eVisa?
Accepted: confirmed hotel reservation (PDF or email), Airbnb booking confirmation, or a signed host invitation letter with the host’s address and ID copy. Not accepted: unconfirmed hostel intentions, search-result screenshots, or vague itineraries without a booking reference. Backpackers should book a refundable reservation.
Do airlines check for proof of onward travel before flying to Laos?
Yes, airlines check before boarding.
How much does the Laos tourist eVisa cost for UK citizens?
The 30-day eVisa costs $50 and the 60-day eVisa costs $80, payable by credit or debit card at laoevisa.gov.la. Third-party services charge additional fees on top.
Can I extend my Laos tourist eVisa after I arrive?
Yes. Since January 2025, tourists can extend twice per visit at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane. Each extension costs ~$30 and takes 3-5 business days.
What happens if my Laos eVisa application is rejected?
There is no formal appeal process. You can reapply with corrected documents, or obtain a visa on arrival at designated airports and border crossings. Ensure your photo meets the 350×450 px specification and your passport scan is clear.
Which Laos border crossings and airports accept the eVisa?
The eVisa is accepted at 3 airports (Wattay in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse), 3 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges (1, 2, and 4), and the Laos-China railway crossing at Mohan-Boten. Some smaller crossings do not accept it.
Is the Laos eVisa better than getting a visa on arrival?
The eVisa is pre-approved and costs $50/$80; the VoA costs ~$30-42 but requires cash and photos at the border.
