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Laos Visa for Canada Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

Canadian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Laos's main international airports and border crossings, or apply for an e-visa in advance — both issue a 30-day single-entry tourist visa.

Guide last updated September 29, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival, with at least one blank page
  • Completed visa-on-arrival application form (available at the counter) or the online e-visa form
  • One or two passport-size photos for the on-arrival application
  • Return or onward ticket
  • Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds may be requested
  • No formal biometric enrollment for the visa; standard immigration photo/fingerprint may be taken on arrival
  • Travel health insurance recommended

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival/e-visa: single entry, valid for a stay of up to 30 days, fee approximately USD 42 for Canadian citizens (fees vary by nationality)
  • Visa extension: available inside Laos through the Immigration Department, typically up to twice, for roughly USD 2/day
  • Business visa: requires an invitation letter from a Lao sponsor, generally arranged in advance rather than on arrival
  • Multiple-entry and longer-stay visas require pre-arrangement through the Lao embassy

Visa on arrival

  • Available at: Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang International Airport, and major land border crossings (e.g., Friendship Bridges from Thailand)
  • Steps: fill out the arrival form, submit passport, photo, and fee at the visa counter, wait for processing, then collect the visa sticker before passport control
  • Fee and currency: USD cash preferred (exact change recommended); Lao kip and Thai baht sometimes accepted at land crossings
  • Alternative: apply for Laos's official e-visa (laoevisa.gov.la) 3+ business days before travel to skip the on-arrival queue
  • Queue tip: airport visa-on-arrival can be slow during peak arrival times — the e-visa avoids this entirely

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee: approximately USD 42 for Canadian passport holders (fee varies by nationality; carry exact USD cash for the airport counter)
  • No separate VFS/BLS fee for the e-visa — it's Laos's own government portal
  • Total cost estimate: USD 42–45 including a small photo/processing charge at some counters
  • Processing time: 15–30 minutes at the airport counter; e-visa typically processed within 3 business days
  • No official express lane at most crossings — arriving early in the flight bank helps avoid queues

Tips for Canada travelers

  • Bring exact USD cash in small denominations for the on-arrival fee — change is not always readily available
  • Apply for the e-visa in advance if arriving at a smaller border crossing, since not every crossing reliably issues visas on arrival
  • Extensions are straightforward in Vientiane but can take longer in smaller towns — plan extra buffer days if you might need one
  • Overstaying incurs a per-day fine collected at departure — settle any extension before your visa expires to avoid this
  • Check current Global Affairs Canada guidance for road safety and rural travel conditions before overland trips

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.