Yes — Indian passport holders need a visa for Laos in 2026, but you can get a 30-day e-Visa online or Visa on Arrival at Vientiane, Luang Prabang and land borders.
Cover image: the gilded temples of Luang Prabang in Laos — photo by Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Yes — Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa for Laos in 2026, but Laos makes it straightforward. You can secure a 30-day tourist visa in advance online via the official e-Visa portal, or obtain a Visa on Arrival at the main international airports and major land borders. India is not visa-exempt for Laos and is not on the pre-approval-only list, so both the online and on-arrival routes are open. Diplomatic, official and service passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 30 days.
Do I need a visa for Laos from India?
All Indian tourists travelling on ordinary passports must hold a valid Lao visa before or upon entry. The two most common options:
- e-Visa (recommended): Apply at laoevisa.gov.la. The e-Visa is valid for 60 days from issuance and permits a stay of up to 30 days. You present the printed approval at immigration.
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): Issued at immigration counters. Also for 30 days and extendable twice inside Laos for up to 90 days total via the provincial immigration office for a fee.
Both options require a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry, a recent passport photo and payment of the visa fee in US dollars. The third route is a conventional sticker visa from a Lao embassy or consulate, typically issued for 60 days and useful if you prefer to arrive with a visa already in your passport.
Which entry points accept e-Visa and Visa on Arrival?
Laos accepts e-Visa and VoA at slightly different sets of ports. The overlap is greatest at the main airports. For Indian travellers in 2026:
| Port | e-Visa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Wattay International Airport (Vientiane) | Yes | Yes |
| Luang Prabang International Airport | Yes | Yes |
| Pakse International Airport | Yes | Yes |
| Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane–Nong Khai) | Yes | Yes |
| Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet), IV (Houayxay), Boten Road | Yes | Varies |
| Khamsavath and Boten railway stations | Yes (rail) | No |
If you are entering by rail on the Laos-China Railway, carry the e-Visa. The railway stations listed above accept e-Visa only. For the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, both channels are generally available — expect longer queues at VoA counters on weekends.
How to apply: step-by-step for Indians
Most Indian travellers choose the e-Visa for certainty:
- Create an account at laoevisa.gov.la and select Tourist (T). Upload passport biodata page and a recent photo.
- Pay the fee online. Approvals are typically issued within 3 working days, valid for 60 days from issuance.
- Print the approval letter and present it on arrival with your passport. Immigration stamps the 30-day stay.
For Visa on Arrival, bring USD cash (cards are not reliably accepted at the counter), a passport photo or be prepared to pay a small photo fee, and your accommodation address. Both stays can be extended inside Laos twice for a total of up to 90 days.
Fees, photos and what to bring
Fees are quoted in US dollars and vary by nationality; Indian applicants should budget USD 30 to 45 for e-Visa or VoA, with a small additional fee if you need a photo taken at the counter. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity and one blank page. Keep proof of onward travel and accommodation handy — officers may ask, even if they do not always do so.
Indian travellers often route via Bangkok, Hanoi or Kuala Lumpur. If you transit Thailand, remember Thailand’s own 30-day visa-free rule from 15 September 2026 is now the norm for Indians entering Thailand for tourism.
How long can I stay and can I extend?
Standard tourist entry is 30 days whether by e-Visa or VoA. Extensions are handled inside Laos at the provincial immigration office and can be done twice, each extending the stay within an overall 90-day maximum. Overstaying without extension risks fines of USD 10 per day and complications on exit. If you need longer than 90 days, apply for an embassy tourist visa before travel.
Tips for Indian travellers
Apply for the e-Visa at least a week before departure to allow for the 3-day processing window and weekends. Carry USD and a printed visa approval. If crossing by land from Thailand, choose Friendship Bridge I at Vientiane for the smoothest experience and avoid late-evening arrivals when staffing is thinner. And keep your passport with you at all times — Lao law requires visitors to carry their travel document.
For broader Southeast Asia planning from India, compare Laos with the visa process for Cambodia and Vietnam’s 90-day e-Visa, and note that overland routing from India through Myanmar remains impractical for most tourists — you will connect by air.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Laos?
Yes, on ordinary passports. You can get a 30-day e-Visa at laoevisa.gov.la or a 30-day Visa on Arrival at major airports and land borders. The e-Visa is valid for 60 days from issuance and allows a 30-day stay.
Can Indians get Visa on Arrival in Laos?
Yes. Wattay (Vientiane), Luang Prabang and Pakse airports all issue VoA, as do the main Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges and several other land borders. Railway ports accept e-Visa only.
How much does a Laos visa cost for Indians?
Budget USD 30 to 45 for a single-entry tourist visa whether via e-Visa or VoA, plus a small photo fee if you do not bring a photo. Fees are payable in US dollars at the border.
How long can I stay in Laos?
30 days on a standard tourist e-Visa or Visa on Arrival. You can extend twice inside Laos at the provincial immigration office for a total stay of up to 90 days.
