All travellers
The government of the Lao PDR announced the reopening of all international borders on 9 May 2022. We recommend checking in advance as not all land border crossings allow the entry of non Lao nationals or offer visa on arrival facilities.
Visa on arrival and e-Visa are available from the above date.
Fully vaccinated individuals do not require pre-departure or on arrival tests.
The official policy remains that unvaccinated individuals will be required to take an ATK test a maximum of 48 hours before departure. There are reports of this not being enforced. However, customs and immigration officials retain the authority to ask you to produce a pre-departure test.
There is no requirement to quarantine.
Visitors contracting or arriving with COVID-19 will be responsible for all treatment costs.
All visa processes will return to pre-pandemic regulations, tourists visas will again only be extended twice in country. Visa on arrival is not available at all land borders, please confirm in advance before attempting to cross.
Be aware that if you do not renew your visa within 90 days new regulations set a fine of 20 million LAK, deportation to your home country and a ban on returning to Laos.
If you’re fully vaccinated
Proof of vaccination status
Laos will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior to travel. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
See the ‘All travellers’ section.
Children and young people
Requirements are the same regardless of age. See the ‘All travellers’ section.
If you’re transiting through Laos
There are currently no transit options via Laos.
Check your passport and travel documents before you travel
Passport validity
Your passport should have at least 6 months’ validity remaining on your date of entry into Laos.
Additionally, be aware that airlines will now only allow boarding of flights to and from Laos if you have two blank pages in your passport.
Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
Yellow fever certificate requirements
Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.