Xam Nua

Passport validity requirements

To enter Laos, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.

Airlines will only let you board your flight if your passport has enough blank pages.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Digital Arrival/Departure Cards - Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) 

All foreign nationals entering Laos are required to complete the LDIF digitally within 3 days before arrival and 3 days before departure.  

The LDIF applies at Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport and Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. At these checkpoints, the LDIF replaces paper arrival and departure cards. 

The LDIF does not replace visa requirements.

Visa requirements 

You must have a visa to visit Laos.  

To work, study and travel for business or other reasons, you must meet the Lao immigration department’s entry requirements.

Applying for a visa

From 1 January 2025, tourist visas reverted to the previous 30 days from the date you arrive in Laos.

You can apply online for a Laos e-visa – apply at least 5 days in advance. The e-visa is single entry only and is accepted at major entry points.

You can also get a visa on arrival (single entry) at many entry points, including:

• Vientiane Wattay airport
• Luang Prabang airport
• Pakske airport

See a full list of the entry points that accept e-visas and visas on arrival.

Visa extensions

From 1 January 2025, you’re allowed to extend your tourist visa twice while in Laos, for a total of 60 additional days.

If you do not extend your visa within 90 days, you will face a fine in Lao kip worth 2,000 US dollars, deportation to your home country and a ban on returning to Laos.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Laos guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Laos. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Laos. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Emergency services in Laos

Fire: 1190

Police: 1191

Alternative numbers for police stations: 241162, 241163, 241164, and 212703

Tourist police in Vientiane: 021 251 128 

Ambulance: 1195 or 030 525 7239

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Laos
• dealing with a death in Laos
• being arrested or imprisoned in Laos
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Xaisomboun Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. There are intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: 

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts
• be mindful of your permitted length of stay in Laos, extend visa if necessary, and see visa extensions on Entry requirements page

Land borders and crossing with Thailand and Cambodia 

In July 2025, Thailand and Cambodia fought along parts of the border. The fighting included the use of rocket and artillery fire. Tensions remain and fighting erupted again at various points along the border in December. Land borders and crossings between Thailand and Cambodia continue to be  suspended. Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple are closed. 

There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. 

British nationals in Southern Laos travelling to Cambodia or Thailand, should carefully consider which land border crossings to use. British nationals should also carefully consider any travel they have planned close to the Lao border adjoining the affected areas. 

See our travel advice for Thailand and Cambodia.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Legal system

The Lao legal system operates differently from the UK, and the standard of prisons is very poor.

If you are under criminal investigation, you can be detained for long periods without evidence or official charges. There can be long delays before you can contact lawyers, British Embassy officials or family. Legal representation is far below UK standards.

Illegal drugs and the death penalty

Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Laos. This includes cannabis. British nationals have been caught carrying cannabis while transiting through Laos.

The Laos authorities have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences. Possessing drugs, even in very small quantities, carries severe penalties, including:  

• arrest and detention
• a long jail sentence if charged and convicted
• a possible death penalty for drug trafficking

Legal processes before court hearings can be long and expensive. It can take many months for a case to go to trial.

Criminal gangs in the UK and elsewhere are known to coerce people into carrying drugs across borders. Do not allow yourself to be persuaded.

Airports in Laos have security equipment and procedures in place for scanning and detecting illegal substances, including cannabis. This is also used to scan the carry-on and checked-in baggage of transiting passengers.

It is important to be aware of your rights if you are detained by the police. See our guidance for those detained or imprisoned in Laos.

Police often raid venues known to be frequented by foreigners. You may have to take a urine or blood test if there is a suspicion you have used drugs. You will be arrested if the test is positive.

Using cameras and binoculars in secure areas

Photographing or entering any military site without an official invitation is prohibited and you may be arrested or detained. Avoid photographing bridges or airfields.

Getting permission for special travel projects

You should get permission from the local district authorities for any travel seen as out of the ordinary, such as extensive photography, or scientific research of any kind.

Relationships with Lao nationals

The Lao government prohibits sexual relationships between foreign and Lao nationals, except when the parties have been married in accordance with Lao family law. You must ask permission for marriage or engagement to a Lao national in a formal application to the Lao authorities.

Penalties for failing to register such a relationship can be up to 5,000 US dollars fine and possible imprisonment. It is not unknown for Lao authorities to demand entry into hotel rooms or guesthouses where they suspect this regulation is being broken.

Smoking and e-cigarette bans 

While cigarettes are common, the use of e-cigarettes (vapes), heated tobacco and shisha (water-pipe tobacco) are illegal. You could be fined or imprisoned for possessing, using them, importing, selling, purchasing or exporting them.

Dress codes

When you visit any temples and religious sites, your shoulders and knees should be covered, whether you are male or female.

It is not culturally appropriate to walk around in public wearing swimming costumes after leaving waterfalls, rivers or swimming pools.

LGBT+ travellers

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations in Laos. Proud To Be Us Laos raises awareness about LGBT+ rights and HIV/AIDS among the LGBT+ community. More information can be found on the Proud To Be Us Laos Facebook page.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.