Laos entry requirements for Austria passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 15, 2026·View sources
No visa required
15 days
Max stay
15 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Austrian passport holders can enter Laos without a visa for up to 15 days. This applies to tourism and short business visits. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date, and you need a return or onward ticket.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Laos | Your passport needs at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Airlines at Vienna and other EU hubs will check this before letting you board. If your passport expires within 6 months of your Laos departure date, renew it before traveling. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Laos within 15 days | Immigration at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane and Luang Prabang Airport routinely asks for a printed or digital onward ticket. Budget airlines flying into Laos are strict about this at check-in. Have a confirmed flight out of Laos before you arrive. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Immigration officers occasionally ask for your first night's hotel confirmation. A printed booking confirmation or a screenshot on your phone works. If staying with friends, have their address and phone number ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds At least 20,000 THB or equivalent per person | Laos officially requires visitors to show 20,000 THB (or about $550 USD) per person in cash, traveler's checks, or a bank statement. In practice, this is rarely checked for short visa-free stays, but carry a bank card and some cash just in case. | Recommended |
15-day limit is strict
The visa-free stay cannot be extended. If you need more time, get a visa before you travel. Overstaying costs $10 per day and can cause problems at departure.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you land in Laos, not your departure date. Check your passport now to avoid surprises.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration
At Wattay International Airport in Vientiane or Luang Prabang International Airport, follow signs to 'Immigration' or 'Passport Control'. Join the queue for foreign passports.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport (with at least 6 months validity and one blank page) and your boarding pass. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation details — have them ready on your phone or printed.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with a 15-day visa-free entry. No fee is charged. Check the stamp says '15 days' before leaving the counter.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, collect your checked luggage from the carousel, then proceed through customs (usually green channel for nothing to declare). You're now in Laos.
Download Laos Entry Checklist
PDF · Austria Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist Visa Single Entry
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$35 USD (approx. 730,000 LAK)
Apply at Lao embassy or consulate abroad. Allows longer stay than visa-free.
Tourist Visa Multiple Entry
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$50 USD (approx. 1,040,000 LAK)
Good for multiple visits within validity. Must leave and re-enter.
retirement visa
Lao Retirement Visa (B2)
1 year, renewable annually
~$100 USD per year (approx. 2,080,000 LAK)
For foreigners aged 55+ with proof of pension or funds. Requires annual renewal and no local employment. Must have a Lao sponsor or embassy letter.
work visa
Lao Work Visa (B1)
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD per year (approx. 3,120,000 LAK) plus work permit fees
For those with a job offer from a Lao company. Requires a work permit and employer sponsorship. Allows long-term stay and multiple entries.
investor visa
Lao Investor Visa (B3)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD per year (approx. 4,160,000 LAK) plus investment proof
For individuals investing at least $50,000 USD in a Lao business. Requires business registration and annual reporting.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayNo official cap reported; pay at immigration before departure. | $10 USD per day (approx. 100,000 LAK) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket35%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Laos
No transit visa needed
Austria passport holders transiting through Laos airports (e.g., Vientiane, Luang Prabang) do not need a transit visa for stays under 24 hours if they remain airside.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsWattay International Airport (Vientiane) · Luang Prabang International Airport · Pakse International Airport
Health & vaccines for Laos
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue FeverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne; common in urban and rural areas, especially rainy season (May–October).
MalariaModerate risk
Present in rural and forested areas, especially southern provinces. Prophylaxis recommended for high-risk regions.
Food and Waterborne DiseasesHigh risk
Common due to poor sanitation; includes traveler's diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis A.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk is highest in rural areas of southern Laos (e.g., Champasak, Attapeu) and along borders. Prophylaxis recommended for those regions.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Vientiane
Lao Immigration Department
Samsenthai Road, Ban Phonxay, Vientiane
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and overstay payment. Bring passport, photos, and fee.
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang Immigration Office
Ban Pakham, Luang Prabang
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00
Handles extensions for tourists in the north. Often less crowded.
Practical information for AT travellers
Country basics
CapitalVientiane
LanguageLao
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyLao Kip (LAK)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 21,927.59 LAK
Time zone
Local timeUTC+7
vs New York+12h
vs Los Angeles+15h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
A,B,C,E,FTypes A and B (US-style) and types C, E, F (European-style) are common.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, the visa-free entry is not extendable. If you want to stay longer than 15 days, you must apply for a visa (e.g., tourist visa) before travel or at a Lao embassy/consulate. Overstaying incurs a fine of $10 per day.
You need to get a visa instead of using the visa-free entry. Apply for a tourist visa (single entry, 30 days) at a Lao embassy or consulate before you travel. Alternatively, you can get a visa on arrival at major airports and land borders, but that also gives 30 days. The visa on arrival costs around $30–$40 (payable in USD or THB).
Yes, the 15-day visa-free entry applies at all international border crossings, including land borders from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. The same rules apply: passport validity 6 months, blank page, and onward ticket.
No, there is no arrival declaration or online form required for Austrian passport holders. You just present your passport and documents at immigration.
You'll be fined $10 per day of overstay, payable at immigration when you leave. Overstays of more than 30 days may result in a ban or additional penalties. Avoid overstaying by keeping track of your entry date.
It's not mandatory for entry, but strongly recommended. Medical care in Laos is limited and expensive for serious issues. Evacuation to Thailand can cost thousands. Many travellers buy a policy like SafetyWing or World Nomads before departure.
No, the visa-free entry is for tourism and short business visits only. For work or study, you need the appropriate visa (e.g., business visa or student visa) obtained in advance from a Lao embassy.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.