Laos visa on arrival for citizens of Canada: conditions and fees 2026
A visa is required for Laos, and citizens of Canada can obtain it on arrival, for stays up to 30 days.
Data updated on
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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 Canada
Canadian travellers can obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) for Laos, applied for online before departure. A passport valid for at least six months is required.
Laos offers Canadian nationals a tourist e-Visa, requested on the official government portal before travel. Some entry points also issue a visa on arrival, but arranging the e-Visa in advance avoids queues and unpleasant surprises. This guide sets out the steps to follow, the documents expected and the checks to carry out before leaving.
Do Canadian citizens need a visa?
Yes: holders of a Canadian passport need a visa for a tourist stay in Laos. The simplest route is the e-Visa, applied for online before arrival. A visa on arrival is still available at several border posts, but the pre-arranged e-Visa secures entry and saves time at the airport or land crossing.
How much does a visa for Laos cost from Canada?
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
Bring a Canadian passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo on a light background, an address of accommodation and an onward ticket. The visa amount and its validity vary and must be confirmed on the official Lao portal, which is the only authoritative source.
How to apply for a visa for Laos from Canada
- 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
Go to the official portal laoevisa.gov.la to create your application, upload an ID photo and the passport bio-data page, then pay online. Once approved, the authorisation is sent to you by email: print it or keep it on your phone to present when entering Laos.
Where do you apply for a visa for Laos from Canada?
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 Canada on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Canada 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
Apply several working days before departure to absorb any processing delay. Confirm that your planned entry point actually accepts the e-Visa, as not every border post is on the list. Also review the Government of Canada travel advice for Laos before you go.
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
Difficulties often come from a passport too close to expiry, a non-compliant photo or choosing an entry point not covered by the e-Visa. Do not overstay the authorised period: any extension must be requested from immigration services in Laos, and overstaying exposes you to a fine on departure.
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.
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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
- Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Government of Canada - Travel advice (Laos)
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
- Check entry and extension conditions before traveling.
- Prepare all necessary documents to avoid delays.
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
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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
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