Laos visa on arrival for citizens of Australia: conditions and fees 2026
A visa is required for Laos, and citizens of Australia can obtain it on arrival, for stays up to 30 days.
Data updated on
Apply online through iVisa
iVisa is a paid service, charged on top of the official fees. Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you order, at no extra cost to you.
Mandatory arrival form: Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF). Within 3 days before arrival. Also required before leaving the country. Only fill it in on the official website.
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Processing time
On arrival
Allowed stay
30 days
Our guide to the Laos visa from Australia
Australian travellers need a visa for Laos: the easiest option is to apply for the e-Visa online before departure. A visa on arrival exists at some entry points, but the e-Visa avoids queues.
Australian nationals travelling to Laos for tourism must obtain a visa. The Lao authorities offer an e-Visa applied for online on the official portal laoevisa.gov.la, with an approval letter to print before boarding. A visa on arrival is still available at several borders and international airports, but an e-Visa prepared in advance makes the crossing simpler.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Australian citizens do not have visa-free entry to Laos: a tourist visa is required. The e-Visa is obtained online before travel, while the visa on arrival is offered only at designated entry points. The passport must be valid for at least six months at entry.
How much does a visa for Laos cost from Australia?
The official fee for a visa for Laos is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for Laos really cost?
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for a visa for Laos?
The exact list for Laos is not published in a source we can verify. Every short-stay tourist application is nonetheless built on the same core:
- Valid passport
- Completed application form
- Compliant passport photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds
Treat this as the common core, not the official list, confirm it with the consular authorities of Laos before you apply.
Documents and fees
Have ready a passport valid for six months, a recent passport photo, an address of accommodation in Laos and a return or onward ticket. The exact e-Visa fee and any associated service charge must be checked on the official portal, as it varies by nationality and can change. Pay only via the official site.
How to apply for a visa for Laos from Australia
- 1Check before departure that your entry point actually issues the visa on arrival.
- 2Prepare the supporting documents and the fee, often required in cash.
- 3Complete the form at the dedicated counter after landing.
- 4Pay the fee and collect the sticker before immigration control.
How and where to apply
Lodge your e-Visa application on the official portal laoevisa.gov.la: you create an account, enter your details, upload a photo and pay online. You then receive an approval letter by email to present to immigration. If you choose the visa on arrival, enter through a point of entry that issues it.
Where do you apply for a visa for Laos from Australia?
A visa on arrival for Laos is issued at the border post itself, at a counter placed before immigration control.
- Not every crossing issues it. Confirm that your specific airport or land border does before you book.
- The counter is reached after landing and before immigration. Follow the visa signs rather than the exit.
- The fee is usually paid on the spot, sometimes in cash and in a specific currency. Card is not guaranteed.
Using an online service
You never have to use an intermediary. If you would rather have a service fill in and file the application online for you before departure, iVisa does it for a service fee, charged on top of the official fees. It does not change the decision.
File my application with iVisaPartner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you order, at no extra cost to you.
You live in Australia on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Australia but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does a visa for Laos take?
A visa on arrival is issued at the counter of the entry point when you cross the border: there is no processing time to plan for before departure.
Processing and tips
The Lao e-Visa is usually processed within a few working days: apply at least a week before departure. Confirm that your entry point is among those accepting the e-Visa and check Australian travel advice (Smartraveller) for the latest guidance. Keep a printed copy of the approval.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes
Do not travel assuming a visa on arrival will be available at any border post: not all of them issue it. Also avoid a passport whose validity falls below six months and third-party sites charging extra fees. Finally, be ready to show accommodation and a return ticket, sometimes requested at the checkpoint.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other visa types for Laos
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- Lao eVisa: official portal
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lao PDR
- Smartraveller (Australian Government): Laos
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
Visa on arrival
Entry regime
Visa on arrival
Duration
30 days
Business visa (NI-B2)
Consular visa
Duration
90 days
Price
20–42 USD
Processing time
3 business days
Official websiteVerified
Investor visa
Investor visa
Duration
5 years
Price
20–150 USD
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
1 year
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Work Permit
Work visa
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Family visa
Family reunification
Duration
1 year
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Tips for Extending Your Stay in Laos
- Apply locally in Laos for a visa extension before the current visa expires.
- Check specific requirements for each visa type before traveling.
Example: For a longer stay, it is better to apply for a business or residence visa through the Laos embassy.
Apply online with iVisa
Online application for Laos, with no consulate visit.
- Online filing for e-visa and visa-on-arrival destinations
- Online application tracking
- Paid service, on top of official fees
- Decision made by the country's authorities, not by iVisa
Partner link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The visa verdict above does not depend on this partner.
Get alerted when this visa policy changes
One email only when this destination’s regime, fees or visas change. One-click unsubscribe.
Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Other visas from Australia
Guides to prepare your trip
Transit visa 2026: when a simple layover requires a visa
Staying airside and crossing immigration are not governed by the same rules. When a transit visa becomes mandatory, the Schengen case, the…
7 min readRead the guide →
Digital Nomad Visas Around the World: 2026 Guide
Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Estonia, Indonesia, Dubai, Japan… Income requirements, duration, cost and processing times of the main digital…
9 min readRead the guide →