To boost its tourism industry, Laos might expand its list of visa-exempt countries.
The Laotian government is considering the possibility of exempting citizens of additional countries from visa requirements to attract more tourists.
This proposal was put forward by members of the National Assembly of Laos during the 7th ordinary session held on Monday, June 10.
In recent years, the tourism industry has significantly contributed to the Laotian economy.
As such, Champasack province’s representative to the National Assembly, Saithong Xaiyaong, suggested extending the visa exemption policy to attract even more visitors.
He urged the government to carefully analyze the countries and categories of visitors that could benefit from this measure and also emphasized the need to simplify the current visa issuance requirements and processes for tourists.
Alongside this proposal, Saithong Xaiyaong highlighted the necessity of modernizing Laos‘ tourism infrastructure, improving facilities at tourist sites, and raising standards in restaurants, hotels, and other popular attractions. According to him, these improvements could leave a positive impression on visitors and encourage them to return.
Only citizens of 15 countries can currently enter Laos without a visa
Currently, Laos grants visa exemptions to citizens of the following 15 countries for periods of 14, 15, or 30 days:
- Brunei (30 days), Cambodia (30 days), Indonesia (30 days), Japan (15 days), Luxembourg (15 days), Malaysia (30 days), Mongolia (30 days), Myanmar (14 days), Philippines (30 days), Russia (30 days), Singapore (30 days), South Korea (30 days), Switzerland (15 days), Thailand (30 days) and Vietnam (30 days).
Local tourism experts believe that extending these visa exemptions to other countries could significantly increase the number of tourists to Laos.
In the first three months of 2024, Laos recorded a 36% increase in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the same period the previous year, totaling over 1.1 million visitors.
Statistics from the Tourism Marketing Department show that the largest number of tourists came from Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, the USA, the UK, France, Russia and Germany.
Laos offers visa on arrival and e-Visa
Tourists from most countries therefore need a visa to visit Laos. This can be obtained upon arrival in the country or online via the electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
Without prior arrangements, the Laotian visa can be requested at various entry points in the country, including the international airports of Luang Prabang, Wattay, and Pakse.
For those who want to leave with peace of mind and prefer to have a visa in hand before traveling, Laos offers an electronic visa since 2019, allowing stays of up to 30 days.
On the government portal laoevisa.gov.la, tourists from over 160 countries can obtain an e-Visa within three business days for US$50.
The following eight border crossing points can be used by e-Visa holders:
- Luang Prabang International Airport
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
- Pakse International Airport
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane)
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet)
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo)
- Boten road checkpoint on the border with China
- Boten railway station
