The Laos tourist eVisa is a single-entry visa for leisure travel. It allows a stay of up to 30 days and is issued on the official Lao portal, laoevisa.gov.la. The government fee varies by nationality — confirm the current amount on the official Lao eVisa fee calculator. When Issa Compass files the application, the total is ฿3,000 by bank transfer (฿3,090 by card), covering both the Lao government fee and Issa's service fee. Processing takes up to 3 working days once the application is complete and fully paid, and you must enter Laos within 60 days of receiving the approval letter. The detail that catches travelers out is the entry point: the eVisa only works at 9 designated ports. For that reason, when Issa Compass files a Laos eVisa, it confirms the planned port of entry first, then checks passport validity and photos.
TL;DR
- The Laos tourist eVisa is single entry, for tourism, with a stay of up to 30 days.
- It only works at 9 designated ports: 3 airports, 3 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges, 1 international checkpoint and 2 railway stations.
- If you arrive at any other port, you must buy a visa on arrival instead.
- Processing takes up to 3 working days, and you must enter within 60 days of approval.
- Issa Compass's Laos eVisa total is ฿3,000 by bank transfer (฿3,090 by card), covering both the Lao government fee and Issa's service fee. The government fee varies by nationality. The eVisa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
About the Author: Issa Compass is an online visa platform that has served 100,000+ clients across the region. For the Laos tourist eVisa, its immigration experts confirm the planned port of entry, passport validity and photo before filing.
What are the 9 designated entry points for the Laos tourist eVisa?
The port list matters more than the fee, because a valid eVisa does nothing at a port that is not on it. These are the only 9 ports where the Laos tourist eVisa functions:
| Port type | Designated eVisa ports |
|---|---|
| Airports (3) | Wattay, Luang Prabang, Pakse |
| Lao-Thai Friendship Bridges (3) | Friendship Bridge I, Friendship Bridge II, Friendship Bridge IV |
| Land checkpoint (1) | Boten International Checkpoint |
| Railway stations (2) | Boten railway station, Khamsavath railway station |
Three planning points follow from this list:
- Overland from Thailand: only Friendship Bridges I, II and IV are listed. Any other crossing falls outside the eVisa, including any Friendship Bridge not on the list.
- By rail: only the Boten and Khamsavath stations are listed.
- By air: only Wattay, Luang Prabang and Pakse are listed.
Lock in your route before you apply, not after.
What happens if you enter Laos at a port that is not on the list?
If you arrive at an undesignated port, you must buy a Laos visa on arrival instead, even if you already hold an approved eVisa according to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa portal [laoevisa.gov.la]. A useful way to see why: the eVisa works like a prepaid ticket that is only accepted at named gates. At any other gate the ticket is not honoured, so you pay again at the counter.
Because the eVisa fee is non-refundable, a port mistake means paying twice: once for the unused eVisa and again for the visa on arrival. This cost is easy to avoid, and it is why the port check comes first.
How long is the Laos eVisa processing time, and when must you enter?
After the route, timing is the next thing to get right. Once approved, two separate clocks apply:
- Entry window: you must enter Laos within 60 days of receiving the approval letter.
- Permitted stay: up to 30 days for tourism, on a single entry.
Worked example: if your trip starts in about 10 weeks, applying today puts your entry date outside the 60-day window. Apply when your travel date sits inside 60 days, but leave more than 3 working days so an incomplete document does not squeeze your timeline.
On a Laos visa extension: the eVisa is single entry for up to 30 days, and this guide does not cover extending that stay. If your plans may run beyond 30 days, confirm the options with Lao immigration before you travel.
How do fees work for a Laos visa for Americans, Australians or Indians?
Searches for a Laos visa for Americans, a Laos visa for Australians or a Laos visa for Indians usually come down to one question: what will my passport pay? The government fee varies by nationality, so confirm the current figure for your passport on the official Lao eVisa fee calculator before paying. The cost layers stay separate:
| Fee layer | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lao government eVisa fee | Varies by nationality — check the official fee calculator |
| Issa Compass total (government fee + service fee) | ฿3,000 bank transfer / ฿3,090 card |
| Refund policy | The eVisa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances |
How does Issa Compass file a Laos eVisa application?
Since the costly errors on this visa are port choice, passport and photo, Issa Compass builds its Laos eVisa application check around exactly those three points:
- Port of entry: your planned arrival point is checked against the 9 designated ports.
- Passport validity: your passport is checked before submission.
- Photo: your photo is reviewed before submission.
- Filing: the application goes through laoevisa.gov.la, where the eVisa is issued.
- Approval: you receive the approval letter and must enter within 60 days.
The eVisa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, which is why the checks happen before payment and submission rather than after. Issa Compass is a private online visa platform, not a government agency. Final visa approval rests with the relevant government authorities, in this case the Lao authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Laos eVisa official website?
The Laos eVisa is issued on laoevisa.gov.la, the official Lao portal.
Can I use the Laos eVisa at any border crossing?
No. It only works at the 9 designated ports listed above. At any other port, you must buy a visa on arrival instead.
How long is the Laos eVisa processing time?
Within 3 working days of a complete application and full payment.
Can I get a refund if my plans change?
No. The eVisa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
How long can I stay on the Laos tourist eVisa?
Up to 30 days, single entry, and you must enter within 60 days of receiving the approval letter.
Can a trip to Laos be used to apply for the Thai DTV?
Generally not. Since 31 August 2026, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is filed only at the Thai embassy or consulate in your country of citizenship or a country where you hold legal residence. A tourist visit does not meet that test.
About Issa Compass
Issa Compass is an online visa platform whose main work remains Thai visas. It runs applications through a decision engine trained on real-time embassy requirements, with immigration experts and a legal team available for review. The Laos tourist eVisa is one of several travel-support add-ons, alongside Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Issa Compass holds a 4.8/5 rating from 865 Google reviews and a 4.6/5 rating from 106 Trustpilot reviews, both as of November 2026.
Ready to apply for your Laos eVisa or plan a longer stay in Thailand? Get your route and documents checked before you pay at Issa Compass.
References
- Laos Visa on Arrival (VOA): Requirements, Fees, Processing Time & How to Apply – DesiNRI Visa Portal (desinri.com)
- The entry procedures for Laos in 2024 (asiakingtravel.com)
