Field notes
Laos Visa for Indians 2026 — Complete Guide
Quick Answer
The Laos visa for Indians is an online e-visa — the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) — applied for before travel through the official government portal. The maximum stay is 30 days after arrival. Processing usually takes 03 working days once the completed application and full visa fee are submitted.
Laos E-Visa at a Glance
Indian passport holders apply for a single visa category — the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa — entirely online. The table below lists only the details confirmed by the official government source as of 15 October 2026.
| E-visa detail | Verified value |
|---|---|
| Visa category | e-Visa |
| Visa type | Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa |
| Maximum stay | 30 days after arrival |
| Validity | 60 days after receiving the eVisa Approval Letter |
| Fee | Confirm on the official portal — no figure verified here |
| Processing time | Usually 03 working days after submitting the completed application and paying the full visa fee; longer if information is not accepted or during breaks |
| Application channel | Online through the Lao official eVisa website (laoevisa.gov.la) |
Other Ways into Laos for Indian Passport Holders
According to the official government portal, no separate visa-free or visa-on-arrival route is confirmed for Indian passport holders. The e-visa is the reference entry route for travellers from India.
If you have read about another entry method — for example, a border crossing arrangement or a group visa — treat it as unconfirmed. Verify directly on the official portal before booking flights or any land transport into Laos. Transit rules are also not stated in the verified information; confirm those separately if Laos is only a stopover on a longer journey.
How to Apply Online for the Laos E-Visa — Step by Step
The entire application is completed online before you travel. There is no embassy visit, no appointment and no biometric requirement for this route. Follow these steps in order.
- Step 1: Open the official application. Go to the Lao official eVisa website at laoevisa.gov.la. Type the address directly into your browser rather than clicking a link from a third-party site. Unofficial lookalike pages exist and can collect your passport details and payment without issuing a valid visa.
- Step 2: Complete the application form. Fill in your personal details and passport information exactly as they appear on your passport bio page. Select the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa as the visa type. Any mismatch between the form and your passport can cause delays or rejection.
- Step 3: Upload your documents. The only document confirmed for this route is the passport bio page including the MRZ (the two lines of machine-readable text at the bottom of the photo page). Passport validity rules and photo specifications are not stated in the verified information — visit the official portal for those details before you upload.
- Step 4: Pay the fee online. The fee amount is not listed in the verified information for this route. The official portal at laoevisa.gov.la shows the current figure. Pay only through that portal — never through a third-party payment page.
- Step 5: Submit and track your application. After submitting, note your application reference number and monitor the status through the portal. Processing usually takes 03 working days. Applications submitted close to a public holiday or during a break period may take longer, so build in extra time.
- Step 6: Download and carry the Approval Letter. Once approved, download the eVisa Approval Letter. Carry a printed copy as well as a digital copy when you travel. The eVisa must be obtained before arrival — you cannot apply at the airport or border.
What to Prepare and Upload
The table below lists only the documents confirmed for the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa application. Do not upload additional documents not asked for, and do not assume requirements not listed here.
| Upload | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport bio page including the MRZ | Upload as part of the online application; the scan must clearly show the machine-readable zone |
Passport validity rules — such as a minimum validity period beyond your travel dates — are not stated in the verified information. Photo specifications are also not stated. Visit the official portal at laoevisa.gov.la for both before you apply, since these requirements can affect whether your application is accepted.
Cost and Waiting Time for the Laos E-Visa
The visa fee is not listed in the verified information for this route. Head to the official portal at laoevisa.gov.la for the current amount before you submit. Pay only through that portal — the fee shown there is the authoritative figure.
Processing usually takes 03 working days after you submit the completed application and pay the full visa fee. Two situations can extend that window: the information you submit is not accepted, or the application falls during a break period. Apply at least a week before your travel date to allow for either scenario. Once the Approval Letter arrives, the eVisa is valid for 60 days from that date, so you have a reasonable window to plan your entry.
An arrival card or online registration requirement is not confirmed in the verified information. Review the official portal close to your travel date in case a pre-arrival form has been introduced.
Common E-Visa Mistakes Indian Travellers Make
Most Laos e-visa delays come down to a small number of avoidable errors. These are the ones that come up most often for travellers from India.
- Mismatched passport details: Your name, passport number and date of birth on the form must match the bio page exactly, including spelling. Even a single character difference can cause the application to be rejected.
- Unreadable scans: A blurred, cropped or low-contrast scan of the passport bio page is one of the most common reasons for delay. The MRZ at the bottom must be fully visible and legible.
- Selecting the wrong visa type: The correct category for Indian tourists is the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa. Choosing a different category means your approval, if it comes, may not match your purpose of travel.
- Using unofficial websites: Several third-party sites mimic the official portal and charge a service fee on top of the visa fee, or simply take payment without issuing a valid visa. Apply only at laoevisa.gov.la.
- Applying too close to the travel date: Processing usually takes 03 working days, but can run longer during breaks. Applying in the final two or three days before departure leaves no room if anything needs to be corrected.
Staying Longer in Laos
The maximum stay on the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa is 30 days after arrival. Extension rules are not stated in the verified information for this route.
If you want to stay beyond 30 days, review the official portal before you travel rather than assuming an extension will be available or straightforward once you are in the country. Planning your itinerary within the 30-day window is the safer approach. A seven-day trip covers Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane; two weeks allows for the Plain of Jars or a slow Mekong boat journey — both well within the permitted stay.
Passing Through Laos in Transit
Transit rules for Indian passport holders are not stated in the verified information for this route. If Laos is a connecting point on a longer journey rather than your main destination, do not assume the tourist e-visa covers a transit stop.
Confirm the entry and transit requirements on the official portal before booking any connecting ticket through Laos. Wattay International Airport (VTE) in Vientiane, Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) and Pakse International Airport (PKZ) are the main international entry points — each may have different transit arrangements, and none are confirmed in the current verified information.
A levy or tax on arrival or departure is also not stated. Verify any additional charge on the official portal before you travel so it does not catch you short at the airport.
Insurance for Laos Travel
Travel insurance is not stated as required or recommended in the verified information for this visa route. The official portal does not list it as a mandatory document for the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa application.
Review the official portal if you want to confirm the current position before you apply. Separately, many travellers from India choose to buy a policy for medical cover regardless of whether it is a visa requirement — confirm what suits your trip at booking.
Official Sources for the Laos E-Visa
The authoritative source for the Lao Tourist Visa (T-B3) eVisa is the Lao official eVisa website at laoevisa.gov.la. Use that portal for the application form, the current fee, and the Approval Letter. All details on this page were verified from official government sources on 15 October 2026.
Visa rules, fees and document requirements can change. Recheck the official portal close to your travel date, particularly if you are travelling several months after reading this guide. If the portal shows information that differs from what is here, the portal takes precedence.
If you would like help planning a Laos trip around these visa timelines — from Vientiane to Luang Prabang or beyond — Tripstor can put together the route and arrangements for you.