Traces of Laos Culture and history is still visible in the country. The country is known for the kingdom on Lan Xang Hom Khao (Kingdom of millions of elephant) that existed for over four centuries as Southeast Asia largest kingdom. Laos as a tourist destination offers an authentic experience and friendly hospitality to travellers. To visit Laos, travellers need a Laos visa which can be applied through Tourist Visa Online. One also need to apply for this visa beforehand and must know about the Laos visa processing time as well.
The need for Laos visa
According to Laos Law, every traveller must have a visa to enter Laos. Along with their Laos visas, travellers must also carry their valid passport with 6 months’ validity at least. Laos visa grants you official permit to enter Laos and explore the country. The visitors can get their Laos visa extended through immigration office or their respective travel agency.
Laos visa eligibility
Laos visa eligibility completely depends upon the visitor’s nationality. A visitor from a certain country can apply for a visa on arrival or prepare visas in advance or through Laos e-visa. A total of 29 countries that includes Sri Lanka, Algeria, Nigeria, Afghanistan etc. are not permitted for the visa on arrival. Travellers from these countries can only apply through consulate/embassy.
Application process for Laos visa
When a traveller applies for a visa in advance and travels with a pre-approved visa lessens the pain of standing in long queues at the airport and this way travellers can have a fun and memorable experience. For travelling abroad, travellers must know basic rules and regulations and laws about the country planning trip for. By doing so, travellers will not have to face any inconvenience in future. Applying through Embassy (on paper)
Travellers willing to apply for Laos visa can do so by visiting the nearest Laos consulate/embassy. Travellers will have to obtain visa form either online by visiting the official embassy website or at the embassy window itself. Travellers must fill in all the details and provide authentic information. After filling the application, travellers can submit the visa form along with all the Xerox copy of all essential documents.
Countries who do not have Laos embassy, travellers of those countries can stop at Thailand, Vietnam and any other en-route countries and apply for a visa. But this is a very time-consuming process.
Indian travelers can obtain their Laos tourist / transit visa by visiting Laos embassy that is located in Delhi:-
Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
S – 420, Greater Kailash, Part II
New Delhi – 110 048
Please Note – The timing for submission of visa application is from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Apply on arrival
Visitors from certain countries who are willing to apply for Laos visa on arrival must have all the documents that will be needed to process the visa without any hurdle. Tourist can get their visas on arrival once they arrive at the country’s international borders and even at airports. This is a very tiring process as travellers will have to end up waiting in long queues for hours.
Visa on arrival can be obtained from following –
- Wattay International Airport – Laos
- Savanna khet Airport - Laos
- Pakse International Airport - Laos
- Luang Prabang Airport - Laos
Applying online (Laos e-visa)
Applying for Laos visa online is the most convenient option for travellers. Travellers can from anywhere and anytime proceed with online visa application for their Laos visa. Travellers will have to make online payment against visa application.
The process to apply through Tourist visa online for Laos e-visa:-
- Fill the details in an application form – While filling the details in the application form online the applicant must be very alert as they cannot afford any mistake in the application form. Even a small mistake while filling the details in the application form will lead to rejection of Laos visa. The details in the application form must be valid and authentic and must match with the details mention on the passport. The application form consists of personal details, passport travel information details and address details that need to be filled.
- Upload the documents – Document has to be uploaded after filling the details in the online application form. Applicants will only be allowed to attach 7 files against their application for. In case there are more documents, an applicant can scan the document and adjust two documents on one page.
- Make payments against your e-visa application for Laos.
- Track the status of Laos visa online
Laos visa Processing time
Laos visa processing time is the time that goes in for approval of a visa once the visa application has been submitted successfully. This is why it is advisable to be very cautious while filling the detail in the application form as mistakes later will end up in denial or rejection of your visa. If applying through Tourist Visa online, the processing time for a Laos visa is 5-7 days. This is only possible with a Tourist visa online, there are other OTA that ends up taking more than 7 days for Laos visa processing time. Tourist visa online aims at delivering fast and effective services to customers.
Documents for Laos visa
- Photograph: Passport size photography that looks decent and is recently been clicked. Make sure the dimension of your photograph is 35x45mm and must be against a white or off-white background
- Hotel booking: You will have to submit the details of your hotel booking where you will be staying in Kenya during your visit.
- Flight bookings: You will have to submit flight booking details of your round trip to Kenya.
- Passport: That has a validity of six months’ minimum