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Laos Visa Exemption Policy

Laos has entered into mutual agreements with all ASEAN member countries as well as some non-ASEAN nations to exempt visitors from visas requirements.

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In addition, it grants visa exemption to some other countries even if they have not granted the same privileges in return.

The country extends privileges to Lao individuals living abroad by NOT charging them a visa fee and allowing them to extend the length of their stay. Read on for more details.

For some countries the visa free scheme applies to all type of passports (Diplomatic, Official and Ordinary passport), while for others it only applicable to certain type of passports. The length of stay ranges from 14-90 days depending on the countries.

Here are lists of countries with which Laos has reached mutual agreements on visa exemption. (Lao passport holders can enter these countries visa-free. The same conditions apply)

ASEAN Member Countries
Country
Passport Type
Days of stay (Max)
1
Brunei
Diplomatic/Official
14
Ordinary
14
2
Cambodia
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
30
3
Indonesia
Diplomatic/Official
14
Ordinary
30
4
Laos
-
-
5
Malaysia
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
30
6
Myanmar
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
14
7
Philippines
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
30
8
Singapore
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
30
9
Thailand
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
30
10
Vietnam
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
30
Non-ASEAN Member Countries
Country
Passport Type
Days of stay (Max)
1
Bangladesh
(effective 6-Jan-2013)
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
2
Brazil
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
3
China
Diplomatic/Official
*Not set
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
4
Cuba
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
5
DPR Korea
Diplomatic/Official
*Not set
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
6
Hungary
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
7
India
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
8
Japan**
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
15
9
Mongolia
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
30
10
Peru
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
11
Poland
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)
13
Russia**
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
15
12
South Korea**
Diplomatic/Official
90
Ordinary
15
14
Timor Leste
Diplomatic/Official
30
Ordinary
N/A (Visa required)

*The length of stay can be as long as the length of an assignment            
**Ordinary passport holders of these countries can enter Laos without a visa, but Lao ordinary passport holders don’t get the same privilege in return (they still need to get a visa to enter those countries).

In addition, Laos grants visa-free to some former USSR countries without having the same privilege in exchange.

Here is the list of the countries to which Laos gives visa exemption

Country
Applicable Passport Type
Days of stay (Max)
1
Armenia
Diplomatic/Official
30
2
Azerbaijan
3
Belarus
4
Estonia
5
Georgia
6
Kazakhstan
7
Kyrgyzstan
8
Latvia
9
Lithuania
10
Moldova
11
Tajikistan
12
Turkmenistan
13
Ukraine
14
Uzbekistan
15
Luxembourg
Ordinary
15
16
Switzerland

If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed above and hold a passport type as listed, you can enter Laos without having to obtain a visa. The length of stay varies (as listed above)

Be reminded that your passport must not expire within the next six months from the date you enter Laos.

Apart from the lists above, Laos also grants visa fee exemption to individual Lao natives holding passport of foreign countries.

Starting from 1 January 2011, as aLao native you can have a Lao visa stamped on your passport FREE of charge as described below.

90-day visit visa - FREE of charge (you still need to apply for the visa, but you are not charged for a visa fee), provided that you’re:
a. 65+ years of age, or
b. under 15 years of age, or
c. monk/priest or (all ages), or
d. Physically and/or mentally disabled (all ages)

If you are a Lao native falling into one of the groups (a-d) above, you can apply for a FREE visa either at Lao embassies/consulates outside Laos or at Lao international airports, or Lao border crossing points (known as visa-on-arrival).

Furthermore you can get your visa extended at immigration office in Laos FREE OF CHARGE when your 90-day visa expires should you want to stay longer.

60-day visa (apply at embassy/consulate) - FREE of charge for ALL Lao natives, no age constrain.
All Lao natives who obtain a Lao visa at the Lao embassies or consulates oversea are entitled to a FREE 60-day visa.

The holders of this visa will also pay NO fee for a visa extension (at the immigration offices in Laos).
60-day visa (on arrival) - NOT FREE

If you are a Lao native but not in any of the groups (a-d) above, you'll be given 60 days permit (not the usual 30 days) when applying for a visa-on-arrival. Though you still need to pay the usual fee. This ranges from $30-$42 depending on your current citizenship.

However, if/when you get your visa extended at the immigration offices in Laos you will only be charged half of the fee ($1/day). The full fee is $2/day.

Whether you have the Lao visa exemption or the visa fee exemption, you need to hold a valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity. For visa fee exemption applicants, two passport-type photos are required for visa processing.

Have an enjoyable trip. I hope you enjoy your privilege.