Rules of entry to Laos for Ukrainians

Citizens of Ukraine have access to an electronic visa to Laos or a visa on arrival at the airport.

Electronic visa to Laos for Ukrainians

With such a visa, you can stay in Laos for 30 days within 60 days from the date of visa issuance and extend your stay for another 30 days without leaving the country.
You can apply for a visa through the official eVisa website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos.

Requirements for obtaining an eVisa:

• A 4x6 cm photo. The photo must be taken no more than 6 months ago and meet certain requirements. A sample can be found here.
  
• Cover page of the passport.
  
• The page of your passport with your data.
  
• A return ticket or a ticket to another country from Laos.
  
• Booking of accommodation.
  
• Medical insurance.
  
  

💡 Tips from Visit Ukraine for Ukrainians traveling abroad

Planning a trip can be a daunting task. Where to start? What is the first step to getting a visa? It's easy to get confused at first - especially if you've never done anything like this before.

That's why we recommend using Visit World's travel guide - a detailed step-by-step guide to organizing a trip, which contains basic tips on visa obtaining, border crossing, and much more. For more details, follow the link.

How to apply for an e-Visa to Laos?

1. To start applying for an e-visa, you will need to fill out an online application with your name, date of birth, address, phone number, travel dates, and passport details.
   
2. Upload the required documents for the visa.
   
3. You need to pay the processing fee with a valid debit/credit card to submit your application.
   
4. You will receive your visa by email within 3 business days after submitting your application.
   
5. You are required to take a printed copy of the eVisa with you when traveling and show it at the border along with your passport
   
   

The eVisa can be used to enter the following designated ports:

1. Vattay International Airport (capital Vientiane)
   
2. Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane capital)
   
3. Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang)
   
4. Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province)
   
5. Pakse International Airport (Champasak Province)
   
   

💡 Tip: If you have any difficulties with applying for an e-Visa to Laos, you can contact our qualified specialists for help.

Visa upon arrival in Laos

A visa to Laos for Ukrainians can be issued at the place of arrival in the country. You can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country, namely at the airports of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse or at border crossings from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. This visa entitles you to stay in the country for up to 30 days. The cost of the visa upon arrival will be approximately USD 30.

Documents for the visa:

• Passport (valid for 6 months with a blank page for the visa);
  
• 2 questionnaires (issued at the place of arrival);
  
• 2 3x4 photos;
  
• Consular fee;
  
• Children under the age of 16 are included in the visa of their parents (mother).
  
  

Crossing the border with pets

Crossing the border with pets is possible if you have a vaccination certificate.

To travel to Laos, please prepare the following documents:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
  
• Printed electronic visa (if necessary)
  
• Travel insurance policy
  
• Flight itinerary
  
• Confirmation of hotel reservation
  
• Confirmation of sufficient funds for the trip
  
• Cash $30 if you choose a visa upon arrival in Laos
  
  

How much money do you need to have to cross the border?

Laos does not specify a minimum amount of money that must be carried upon entry, but border authorities may randomly check financial resources. Cash or financial assets worth more than 100,000,000 LAK (≈ 6,000–6,500 USD) must be declared when crossing the border.

What to do if your foreign passport is about to expire

As of October 29, 2025, Ukraine has abolished the military rule that allowed foreign passports to be extended and information about children to be added to them.

Now, a valid biometric passport is required to travel abroad.

If your document has been extended or information about children has been added to it, you must apply for a new foreign passport.

Where to get a new passport

• In Ukraine: at the State Migration Service, Administrative Service Centers, or branches of the State Enterprise “Document.”
• Abroad: at Ukrainian embassies or consulates, as well as at branches of the State Enterprise ‘Document’ if they operate in your country.

If you are abroad and have an “extended” passport

If border guards do not let you leave or enter the country with an “extended” document, contact the nearest Ukrainian embassy or consulate.

There you can apply for an identity card for return to Ukraine (“white passport”).

It is issued on the day of application — free of charge for children under 16 and for a consular fee for adults.

👇🏼 Please note!

You will need travel insurance to travel to Laos. The policy can be purchased on our website here.

With our travel insurance package, you get access to high quality medical care anytime, anywhere. Our policy covers a wide range of medical services, including medical consultations, hospitalization, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Protect yourself from unexpected events right now. Choose insurance on our website and receive your policy by email in just a few minutes.

Are you planning a trip or an extended stay in Laos? To avoid unforeseen situations, it is important to be confident in every step. Visit Ukraine team offers professional legal support to make your trip as safe and comfortable as possible.

We offer the following services:

• Written consultation: Get clear answers to all questions regarding documents, entry and stay in Laos. This will provide you with specific recommendations to prevent any legal difficulties.
  
• Introductory consultation (30 minutes): If you have any urgent questions, we will help you to quickly understand and provide recommendations on the next steps. You will receive important information that will help you avoid trouble while traveling.
  
• Basic consultation (60 minutes): If your request requires a more detailed analysis, we will evaluate all legal aspects and offer the best solution. This will help you avoid legal problems during your stay in Laos.
  
• Legal support: If you need to prepare documents or resolve other legal issues, our lawyers will provide full support. We will help you with the preparation of documents and visa or residence permit application so that you can feel confident.
  
  

With Visit Ukraine, you can focus on planning your trip, while we take care of all the legal issues. Travel with confidence - we will do our best to make your trip to Laos safe and enjoyable!

Citizens of Ukraine can stay at Vattay International Airport in Vientiane for no more than 24 hours, but there are no actual transit options.

Tourists are allowed to carry duty-free to Laos:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco (this item is prohibited for persons under 16 years of age);
  
• 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine (this item is prohibited for persons under 16 years of age);
  
• 250 grams of eau de toilette and 50 grams of perfume;
  
• Tools for professional use by the traveler and means for transportation of luggage;
  
• One used camera or one video camera with 10 reels of film;
  
• One used movie camera;
  
• One used tape recorder;
  
• One second-hand radio;
  
• Used sports equipment and a tent;
  
• One used baby stroller;
  
• Other personal items not for commercial use up to $50.
  
  

Do not be surprised by the interpretation of the items with “unused”. This means that these items should not be new in their packaging, i.e., not intended for sale, for example.

It is assumed that for other items you are obliged to pay customs duties upon entry. This does not mean that you cannot import anything other than these items. You are free to bring in any non-banned items for personal use, but there are quantity and quality restrictions for the specific types of goods listed above.

They are subject to declaration upon entry into Laos:

• foreign currency in the equivalent of more than $2000;
  
• antiques.
  
  

Import/export is prohibited:

• weapons, explosives, poisonous and flammable substances
  
• narcotic drugs;
  
  

It is forbidden to export:

• antiques, art;
  
• images of Buddha, except for souvenirs;
  
• wild animals, their bones, horns, feathers.
  
  

Currency
Currency import rules:
Foreign currency in amounts exceeding USD 2000 (in cash or checks) must be declared upon arrival. Prohibited: local currency (Lao kip - lac).

Currency export rules:
Foreign currency in amounts exceeding USD 2000 (in cash or checks) must be declared upon departure. Prohibited: local currency (Lao kip - lak).

Import and export of foreign currency is not restricted, only the amount exceeding USD 2000 in cash or checks must be declared.