Passport Atlas
Laos

Passport Atlas

Entering Laos

Laos playbook updated 2026-09. Openness first, then how to apply and how to stay.

Openness rank

#30

Entry openness

170

Visa free

15

Visa required

28

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Country profile

Capital

Vientiane

Population

7.6 million

Area

236,800 km²

Currency

Lao kip LAK

Languages

Lao

Time zone

UTC+07:00

Foreign-born

51,446 · 2024

Migrant share

0.7%

Ethnic groups · 2015

  • Lao53.2%
  • other11.6%
  • Khmou11%
  • Hmong9.2%
  • Phouthay3.4%
  • Tai3.1%
  • Other8.5%

Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.

Travel notes

Plug

Type A

Mains

230 V · 50 Hz

Driving

Right

Emergency

Police 112 · Ambulance 112

Dialing code

+856

Airports

VTE · LPQ · PKZ · ZVK

Highlights

  • Luang Prabang
  • Vang Vieng
  • Wat Phou
  • Mekong

Laos PassportVisa siteImmigration site

How to get a visa

  • VOA / visa exemption

    Visit / tourism · Often 30 days

    • Pay in cash at the border or enter visa-free; bring photos and an arrival card.

Immigration routes

  • Work or investor residence

    Employer sponsor

    No general skilled PR.

    Leads to PR：No general skilled PR.

PR & citizenship

Long-term residence

Time to PR：Depends on the route

  • Lawful status, clean record, means or a sponsor.

Naturalisation rules vary — check immigration before filing.

Passports that enter without a prior visa

FVisa free15

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AOn arrival155

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