Laos e-visa from Thailand - Requirements and Fees

Laos, a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River, is well-known for its mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, and Buddhist temples. Traveling to Laos, tourists have a chance to witness the magnificent mountains of the north to the river islands of the south which is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Not only that but travelers to Laos are also mesmerized by the diverse landscapes and the rich cultures.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Thai tourists visiting Laos. This raises the question “Do Thai citizens need a visa to Laos?”. Let’s keep reading this article to learn more about the Laos visa for Thai citizens, the visa requirements as well as other related information.

Laos visa for Thai citizens

1. Check Laos visa requirements for Thai citizens

What is a Lao eVisa?

Laos electronic visa was launched in 2019 by The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This eVisa is an official electronic travel permission granted to certain countries in the world to expedite the visa application process. Currently, citizens of 151 countries can take advantage of this visa and travel to Laos easier. Holders of Laos eVisa are permitted to enter Laos once for tourism, leisure purposes and remain in the country for up to 30 days.

Do Thai passport holders need to have a Laos visa?

Thai passport holders are in the exemption list for Visa to Laos within 30 days. Therefore:

If you stay in Laos less than 30 days, visa to Laos is NOT REQUIRED

If you stay in Laos more than 30 days, visa to Laos is REQUIRED

Check Laos eVisa eligibilities

• Thai citizens should understand the characteristics of a Laos tourist visa after confirming their eligibility:
• Laos electronic visas are issued for tourism, leisure, sightseeing purposes only. Its holders are not allowed to use this visa for business reasons.
• Once issued, the eVisa is linked electronically to the traveler’s passport. The visa has a validity period of 60 days after receiving the Approval Letter.
• This is a single entry visa. Therefore, if you wish to return to Laos, you will need to obtain a new visa.
• With an eVisa, the Stay Permit of eVisa is 30 days.
• There will be a special lane for eVisa service at the arrival ports.
• All applicants including children and infants must have a visa to enter the Lao PDR

In case you intend to visit Laos for other reasons, you can consider applying for a regular visa at the nearest Laos Embassy or Consulate.

2. How to apply for a Laos visa from Thailand?

What are the required documents Thai citizens need to prepare for the Laos application

Thai travelers who wish to obtain a visa for Laos should make sure that they meet Laos visa requirements for Thai citizens. There are some supporting documents Thai citizens should prepare before applying for a Laos tourist eVisa:

• 01 passport scan /person (You can take a picture of the biographical page of the passport). Applicants should note that their passports should be valid for at least 06 months from the intended arrival date in Laos.
• There should be at least 2 blank pages available for stamping.
• 01 photograph (any size you have) / person (the filename is your full name). The photograph should be taken as recently as possible
• An email address. After being issued by the Government, the eVisa will be sent to this email address in PDF format.

Once applicants make sure that they prepare enough required documents above, they can begin the visa application process.

Laos visa requirements for Thai citizens

Instructions on applying for a Laos eVisa for Thai citizens

As mentioned above, Thai passport holders are exempted from Laos visas if they visit this beautiful country for less than 30 days. Those travelers whose trips are longer than 30 days, on the other hand, are required to obtain a visa for Laos.

The process of applying for a Laos visa is shortened owing to the electronic visa system. Instead of waiting in a long line at the Embassy to apply for a visa and preparing a ton of complicated paperwork, Thai travelers can apply for a visa online for a short trip to Laos. The process is entirely online, taking travelers a few minutes to complete.

Thai travelers have to complete a secure online visa application form on Laos Immigration Services website. Please click on “Apply Visa” on our website and follow the 4-step procedure.

• Step 1: Fill in the application form, you need to provide visa information (number of visa, type of visa, transportation method, port of arrival, and the processing time), and your personal details: contact, full name, date of birth, passport number, travel details. Kindly guarantee the accuracy of your information because it may affect the processing time of your application.
• Step 2: Make a payment for the visa fee. After payment, Laos Immigration Services may request some documents to finish the process.
• Step 3: Check an emailed confirmation from us and know the processing time as well.
• Step 4: When you receive your Laos eVisa, please download and print it out. A stamped confirmation will be placed on your passport. You should enter Lao PDR with the same passport that was used for applying for Laos eVisa. Upon arrival, please show it along with your valid Visa so that the Immigration Officer at the border checkpoint can monitor your eligibility.

The processing time of Laos eVisa is normally within 03 business days. Therefore, travelers are highly recommended to apply for at least 07 days before departing.

Apply for a Laos visa from Thailand

3. Laos visa fees for Thai citizens

There are two types of Laos visa fees for Thai citizens: the Government fee and service fee.

The Government fee is mandatory and paid to the Government for them to grant a tourist eVisa to foreigners. This fee is non-refundable no matter whether your visa is approved or not

The service fee is charged based on the processing time you choose for your visa application. Laos Immigration Services offers 03 visa services for Thai nationals:

• Normal: Laos Tourist visa is processed within 03 business days. This is the cheapest service and is matched with those who planned a travel trip previously.
• Urgent: If your itinerary is quite rushed. This option helps you get an eVisa after 24 processing hours.
• Super urgent: This is the fastest service available. Pay an extra cost and you can expect to obtain a Laos eVisa after 05 processing hours.

Regarding the payment method, you have 02 options: use electronic payment (Paypal, Visa, Master Card, and American Express), or Wire transfer to the Bank of Cyprus.

For a long trip, we strongly suggest you add Travel Insurance to your plan. This Insurance prevents you from the risks of pandemics, accidents, or sickness. In a strange country, sometimes unexpected situations will happen and bring you not good experiences, so having Travel Insurance is recommended.

We hope this article brings you useful information about Laos visas for Thai citizens. In case you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us and get immediate assistance.

Laos Visa Requirements for Thailand Citizens FAQs

Do I need a visa to enter Laos from Thailand?

Yes. Thai citizens are exempt from Laos visa requirements for stays up to 30 days from the arrival date, as Thailand is included in the exemption list. However, if a Thai citizen intends to stay in Laos for more than 30 days, a visa is required.

Thai travelers who wish to obtain a visa for Laos should make sure that they meet Laos visa requirements for Thai citizens. There are some supporting documents Thai citizens should prepare before applying for a Laos tourist eVisa:

• Passport - it must be valid and valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Laos. You must scan the information page of your passport
• The passport must have at least 2 blank pages
• Digital passport photo - The photo must be more than three months old
• Travel itinerary
• An email address - After being issued by the Government, the e visa will be sent to this email address in PDF format.
• Proof of accommodation - a hotel booking confirmation is adequate, but if you want to stay with relatives or friends, a letter of invitation from them is required.
• Proof of legal residence – You do not need this unless you want to apply from a nation other than your own.

For further information on obtaining a Laos visa, Thai citizens can visit the Laos embassy in Thailand. Thai travelers can also seek immediate assistance with the Laos e visa by contacting Laos Immigration Services.