All visitors entering Laos must possess a valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity). A 30-day visa in advance of arrival is available at the Lao Embassy or Consulate in your country.

At international airports in Laos and at the following international borders in the South, a 30-day visa on arrival is also available (visa fees vary between US$30-45, depending on your country of origin), bring passport size photos:

  • Laos-Thailand border (Vang Tao-Chong Mek)
  • Laos-Cambodia border (Nong Nok Khian-Trapaeng Kriel)
  • Laos-Vietnam borders (Phou Keua-Bo Y and Dansavanh-Lao Bao)

The Laos-Thailand and Laos-Vietnam borders usually operate from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the Laos-Cambodia border is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. When crossing the border after 4:30 p.m., on weekends and on official public holidays, an overtime fee of around 10,000kip will be charged.

In case of questions you can contact the Tourism Office in Pakse and visit the website of The Department of Immigration in Lao PDR, www.immigration.gov.la.

Visa extensions for temporary visitors can be obtained at the Police office in Pakse, a fee of US$2 per day will be charged. When leaving Lao PDR, please make sure you observe and follow the visa requirements of the respective countries.

Note that there is a Vietnamese consulate in Pakse (www.vietnamconsulate-pakse.org/en).