How Indian passport holders get a visa for Laos: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: eVisa — apply online before travel
- Government fee: USD 35 (~₹3,000) standard eVisa. Rush options up to USD 50. Non-refundable.
- Processing time: 3 business days standard (3–5 with verification). Apply 1–2 weeks before travel.
- Maximum stay: 30 days from arrival, single entry. Extendable in-country by another 60 days via the Department of Immigration in Vientiane.
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 78/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 6+ months from arrival, 2 blank pages
- Recent passport-style photo (white background, JPG)
- Confirmed return / onward ticket
- Hotel bookings or itinerary
- Valid email + card for online payment
How & where to apply
Apply on the official Lao eVisa portal — laoevisa.gov.la. Visa-on-arrival is also available at major airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse) and some land borders, but the eVisa is faster on arrival. Lao Visa Online — eVisa portal (official, laoevisa.gov.la)
Transit & connections
No transit visa needed for an airside connection through Vientiane (VTE) or Luang Prabang (LPQ).
How Laos compares in Southeast Asia
With an ease score of 78/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. Laos uses an online e-visa for Indian passport holders — no embassy visit is needed at application time.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇱🇦 Laos | eVisa — apply online before travel | USD 35 (~₹3,000) standard eVisa. Rush options up to USD 50. Non-refundable. | 3 business days standard (3–5 with verification). Apply 1–2 weeks before travel. |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | Visa-free — 60 days | No government visa fee | Granted on arrival at immigration |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | eVisa — apply online before travel | US$25 single-entry / US$50 multiple-entry (non-refundable if refused) | Usually within 3 working days |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Visa on arrival — pre-register online (e-VoA) | IDR 500,000 (about US$33–35). A small card-payment fee may apply. | e-VoA usually issued within ~48 hours; apply at least 48 hours before departure |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | eVisa — apply via an authorised agent before travel | S$30 non-refundable processing fee. Authorised visa agents charge a separate service fee on top. | Within about 3 working days; apply within 30 days before arrival |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | Visa-free — 30 days (extended until 31 Dec 2026) | No government visa fee. MDAC is free on the official portal. | Granted on arrival at Malaysian immigration |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | Visa-free — 14 days (since 8 June 2025) | No visa fee. eTravel is free on the official portal. | Granted on arrival at Philippine immigration |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
eVisa is the simplest route. Laos is popular as a slow-travel addition to a Thailand or Vietnam trip — many travellers cross by land from Thailand. Researched May 2026. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://immigration.gov.la/en/visas
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Laos?
eVisa — apply online before travel. eVisa is the simplest route. Laos is popular as a slow-travel addition to a Thailand or Vietnam trip — many travellers cross by land from Thailand. Researched May 2026.
What documents do Indians need for a Laos visa?
Passport valid 6+ months from arrival, 2 blank pages; Recent passport-style photo (white background, JPG); Confirmed return / onward ticket; Hotel bookings or itinerary; Valid email + card for online payment
How long does a Laos visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: 3 business days standard (3–5 with verification). Apply 1–2 weeks before travel.. Government fee: USD 35 (~₹3,000) standard eVisa. Rush options up to USD 50. Non-refundable.. Maximum stay: 30 days from arrival, single entry. Extendable in-country by another 60 days via the Department of Immigration in Vientiane..
How do Indians apply for a Laos visa?
Apply on the official Lao eVisa portal — laoevisa.gov.la. Visa-on-arrival is also available at major airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse) and some land borders, but the eVisa is faster on arrival. Official source: https://immigration.gov.la/en/visas
Is a Laos visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 78/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Laos visa online or on arrival?
Laos uses an online e-visa for Indian passport holders — no embassy visit is needed at application time.
More visas nearby
← All visa guides for Indian travellers · Get expert help with your Laos visa