Quick answer
Indian passport holders need a visa for Laos. Apply for the official e-visa on laoevisa.gov.la, costing about USD 40–50 (₹3,500–4,400) with approval in about three working days, or take a visa on arrival at international airports and main land borders, paid in US dollars cash. Both allow a 30-day stay. The e-visa only works at nine listed entry points.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Tourist e-visa (single entry) or visa on arrival
- Stay allowed
- Up to 30 days
- Fee
- About USD 40–50 (₹3,500–4,400) for the e-visa; visa on arrival paid in US dollars cash, in a similar range
- Processing
- About 3 working days for the e-visa; 15–30 minutes on arrival
- Validity
- E-visa typically valid 60 days from issue, single entry
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months from arrival, with blank pages
- Photo of the passport data page showing the whole page, including the coded lines
- Digital photo, 4x6 cm format, ICAO standard, taken within the last six months
- Printed e-visa approval letter
- Return or onward ticket, or a clear onward plan if leaving overland
- US dollars in clean notes, plus a printed photo, for visa on arrival
- Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- The e-visa is accepted only at nine listed entry points; arriving elsewhere means you need a visa on arrival or an embassy visa.
- Weekend and holiday crossings at some land borders add a small overtime charge in cash.
- Serious medical cases are often moved to Thailand, so insurance without evacuation cover leaves a gap.
- Non-compliant photos delay e-visa approval; follow the size and background rules exactly.
Do Indians need a visa for Laos?
Yes. Indian passport holders can choose between the official e-visa, applied for online, and a visa on arrival at international airports and the main land borders. Both allow a 30-day stay and both are straightforward. The choice depends on where you enter.
Where does the e-visa work?
The Lao e-visa is accepted at nine entry points:
- Wattay International Airport, Vientiane
- Luang Prabang International Airport
- Pakse International Airport
- Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge I, Vientiane (from Nong Khai)
- Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge II, Savannakhet
- Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge IV, Bokeo (from Chiang Khong)
- Boten international checkpoint and Boten railway station, on the China border
- Khamsavath railway station, Vientiane
If you are entering anywhere else, use a visa on arrival where available or apply at a Lao embassy.
How to apply for the e-visa
- Open laoevisa.gov.la and check the current fee with the fee calculator.
- Upload a photo of the passport data page, including the two coded lines at the bottom, and a 4x6 cm ICAO-standard photo taken within six months.
- Enter your entry point and dates, then pay by card. The fee is not refundable.
- Approval usually takes three working days. Print the approval letter.
- Present it at the entry point, where the visa is stamped in.
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival is available at the international airports and main land crossings. Pay in US dollars cash, bring a passport photo and expect 15–30 minutes. Fees are in the same range as the e-visa, and some border posts add a small overtime charge at weekends.
What officers check
Lao immigration is unhurried. Officers check the visa, passport validity and sometimes your onward plan. Return tickets are less important if you are clearly continuing overland into Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia, but keep bookings handy.
Families and seniors
Luang Prabang's slow pace suits families and older travellers well, but medical facilities are limited and serious cases are often moved to Thailand. Buy insurance with evacuation cover; see our travel insurance page.
Laos is usually the second or third country on an Indochina trip. Check the visa for your next stop: the Thailand visa guide, Vietnam visa guide and Cambodia visa guide cover the common combinations.
For help with the paperwork, contact our visa assistance team.
Frequently asked questions
Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Laos?
How much does the Laos e-visa cost for Indians?
Can I use the Laos e-visa when entering by train from China?
How long is the Laos e-visa valid?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
