Going to Lao for leisure or visiting family or frineds and need to know the latest Lao tourist visa requirements, Lao tourist visa processing time or need to make a Lao visa appointment? Browse this Lao visa website to learn more.
Lao Visa Types
There are several types of Lao visas available and the visa type for Lao you need to apply depends on the purpose of your trip to Lao.
Finding out what type of Lao visa you need to apply for is actually a pretty easy process. You can apply for Lao visa if you are traveling for one of the following purposes:
- Lao Tourist Visa - Lao visa is issued to foreigners that wish to visit Lao, for a shorter period like 30 days within a 3-month period
- Lao Visitor Visa - Make it possible for non-Lao family members and friends that live outside of Lao to come to Lao and meet their parents, children, spouse or friends.
- Lao Business Visa - To participate in business related activities including attending or conducting meetings or conferences or training, installing equipment or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate or branch office in Lao.
- Lao Transit Visa - To transit through the airport or port in Lao
Other Lao Visa Types
There are other types of Lao visas available for non-Lao citizens to apply:
- Student Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Retirement Visa
- Permantent Resident Visa
- Work Visa
- Official Visit Visa
- Cultural, Film Crew & Sports Visa
- Merchant Seaman Visa
Lao Entry Visa Types
Single Entry visa for Lao: A single-entry visa allows its holder to enter Lao only once, within the given period of time, as mentioned in the visa sticker affixed to their passport. Once the visa holder exits the territory of Lao or visa region associated with Lao, he or she can no longer go back, even if they have not spend in Lao the number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued them the visa.
Double Entry visa for Lao: In general, a double-entry visa applies the same way as the single-entry visa explained above. The sole difference between a single-entry and a double-entry visa is that the second gives you the chance to go once more back to Lao
Multiple Entry visa for Lao: This type of visa allows the holder of the visa to enter Lao mutiple times with visa validity period.
Steps to Applying for Lao visa To apply for a Lao visa follow the steps given below:
- Check if you need to apply for a Lao Visa.
- Know when is the right time to apply!
- Figure out what type of Lao visa you need.
- Find out where you should lodge your application.
- Fill in the right Lao visa form.
- Collect the documents required for Lao visa.
- Make a visa appointment.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your biometrics.
- Pay the visa fee.
Please Note: Please consult Lao embassy in your country as visa regulations for Lao can and often change overnight. In individual cases, additional documents required for Lao visa. We accept no responsibility as we have no affiliation with the embassy of Lao or their visa section.
Going for a visa interview at the embassy? The visa officer at the Lao consulate will look over your application and ask you questions if they wish to clarify anything. It is best to answer these questions honestly.
Typical questions asked at the Lao visa interview include:
- What is your purpose of your trip to Lao?
- Do you know anyone living in Lao?
- What is your current occupation?
- How long have you been in your current occupation?
- If you are a student, when will the studies finsh?
- How will you suuport yourself whilst in Lao?
- Have you ever travelled to other countries?
- Who will pay for your trip to Lao?
- What are your plans when you return from your trip?
- What will you do if your visa application is rejected?
- What is your marital status?
- Will you be involved in business in Lao?
Common reasons why your Lao visa application got rejected include:
- Lack of funds – you must be able to afford your trip Lao and you must provide documents to show that you can.
- Proof of accommodation not provided – you must be able to show where you will be staying in Lao and you can easily do this by providing a hotel reservation in Lao.
- The visa officer thinks you will not return to your home country – you must make it clear that you intend to leave Lao and return to your home country before the expiry of your visa. You can do this by providing documents that show you have ties where you live, such as an employment letter or proof that you own your home etc.
- No proof of residence – you must be able to prove that you can live in the country of your residence legally, so you must provide proof of residence.