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Laos Visa for Germany Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

German citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Laos's international airports and major border crossings; a 30-day tourist visa costs around USD 42, payable in cash, or can be pre-arranged as an e-visa to skip the queue.

Guide last updated October 13, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry
  • Visa on arrival application form (available at the border, or printable from laoevisa.gov.la)
  • One passport-sized photo (4x6cm, white background)
  • Return or onward ticket
  • Proof of accommodation for at least the first night
  • Sufficient funds (around USD 20 per day recommended)
  • No biometrics collected on arrival
  • Travel health insurance recommended, not mandatory

Visa types

  • Visa on arrival (Tourist): single entry, 30 days, fee approximately USD 42 for German citizens, cash payment in USD
  • e-Visa (alternative): same validity and fee, applied in advance via laoevisa.gov.la, avoids airport queues
  • Business visa: requires a sponsor letter from a Lao company, 30 days single entry, fee around USD 40, arranged through the embassy or a local sponsor

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang International Airport, and major land border crossings (e.g., Friendship Bridge at Vientiane-Nong Khai)
  • Steps: fill out arrival and visa application forms, submit passport, photo, and fee at the visa counter before immigration
  • Fee: USD 42 for German nationals (approx EUR 39), payable in USD cash; Lao kip or Thai baht sometimes accepted at a worse rate
  • Processing takes 10-20 minutes depending on queue length
  • Queue tip: arrive with exact USD cash and a filled form to speed up processing, especially during peak evening arrivals

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival fee: USD 42 (~EUR 39) for German passport holders
  • e-Visa fee: USD 42 plus a USD 3-5 processing fee if applied online via laoevisa.gov.la
  • No separate VFS/BLS fee
  • Total cost: approximately EUR 40-45
  • Standard processing: immediate (10-20 minutes) on arrival; e-visa takes about 3 business days online

Tips for Germany travelers

  • Apply for the e-visa online before departure to skip the on-arrival queue, especially if landing in the evening
  • Bring exact USD cash in small denominations - change is not always available
  • Common rejection reason: fewer than 2 blank passport pages, or passport validity under 6 months
  • Overstay fines are USD 10 per day, collected at departure
  • Visa extensions of up to 30 additional days are possible at the Department of Immigration in Vientiane

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.