Laos visa on arrival for citizens of the United Kingdom: conditions and fees 2026
A visa is required for Laos, and citizens of the United Kingdom can obtain it on arrival, for stays up to 30 days.
Data updated on
Apply online through iVisa
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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 the United Kingdom
UK travellers need a visa for Laos; the e-Visa is applied for online on the official portal before departure, and some entry points may also offer a visa on arrival.
A United Kingdom national needs a visa to visit Laos as a tourist. The most convenient option is the e-Visa, requested online before travel on the official Lao portal. This guide sets out the steps; the exact fee and validity should be confirmed on the portal.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. British citizens must obtain a visa to enter Laos. The e-Visa applied for in advance is recommended; depending on the crossing, a visa on arrival may sometimes be issued, but the e-Visa avoids uncertainty at the border.
How much does a visa for Laos cost from the United Kingdom?
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?
The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.
We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.
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 a UK passport valid for at least six months, a recent passport photo, and your flight and accommodation details. The fee amount and validity period are not fixed here: check the official portal for the current rates and conditions.
How to apply for a visa for Laos from the United Kingdom
- 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
The e-Visa application is made online on the official Lao government portal. You enter your details, upload a photo and your passport bio page, then pay online. The approval is sent to you electronically to present on arrival.
Where do you apply for a visa for Laos from the United Kingdom?
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 the United Kingdom on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in the United Kingdom 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 a few days before departure to cover the processing time. Check that your intended entry point (airport or land border) is among those that accept the e-Visa. Print the approval and keep it with your passport.
Before you fly, and at the border
- Passport validity: most countries require the passport to stay valid beyond the return date, and the margin required differs from one destination to the next. Check it on the official source, and count from your return, not from your departure.
- A visa is not a right of entry. The border officer decides, and may ask for a return ticket, an address or proof of funds even when everything is in order.
- Conditional exemptions exist: several countries waive the visa for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a third country. This depends on the destination and on the document, and we do not publish that rule when our sources do not carry it. The official page does.
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent are often asked for extra papers, typically a parental authorisation and the family record. Ask the post before booking.
- Overstaying is not a formality. It exposes you to a fine, to removal, and to an entry ban that can outlast the trip by years, including for the whole area when the destination belongs to one.
Common mistakes
Classic pitfalls are a passport valid for less than six months and a name or passport number entered that does not match the document. Be wary of unofficial third-party sites charging a surcharge. Finally, do not assume a visa on arrival will be available at every crossing.
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
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
- Make sure to extend your visa before the end of the 90 days following your arrival to avoid penalties.
- Regularly check for updates on visa policies to avoid surprises.
Example: If you arrive with a visa on arrival, you can extend it twice for a total of 60 days, but it is crucial to do so before the end of the 90 days.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to Laos from the United Kingdom?▾
A visa on arrival is issued to travellers from the United Kingdom directly at the border of Laos (allowed duration: 30 days).
How long does it take to get a visa for Laos?▾
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.
How do you apply for a visa for Laos from the United Kingdom?▾
The visa is issued at the dedicated counter after landing. Before departure, check that your entry point actually issues it, and bring the fee, often in cash, along with your supporting documents.
How long can you stay in Laos?▾
The tourist visa allows a stay of 30 days.
What other visa types exist for Laos?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, Laos offers among others: Business visa (NI-B2), Work Permit, Student visa, Family visa, Investor visa.
Data verified on 25/10/2026 · Our methodology
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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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