Laos entry requirements for Switzerland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 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
Swiss passport holders can enter Laos without a visa for up to 15 days. This visa-free entry is for tourism only and cannot be extended. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity from your arrival date.
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 Zurich and Geneva check this before boarding — they'll deny you if you're short on pages or validity. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Laos within 15 days | Immigration at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane and Luang Prabang checks for a confirmed onward ticket. If you arrive without one, they'll direct you to a nearby travel agency to buy a bus or flight out — expect to pay a premium. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Immigration officers rarely ask for it, but budget airlines like AirAsia and Thai Lion may request a printed hotel confirmation at check-in. Have a booking confirmation on your phone or printed out. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds At least 20,000 THB or equivalent per person | Laos officially requires visitors to show 20,000 THB (or ~$550 USD) per person. In practice, immigration almost never asks, but if you look like you're working or overstaying, they might. Keep a bank statement or cash handy. | Recommended |
Visa-free entry is not extendable
The 15-day visa-free stay for Swiss passport holders cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you must leave Laos and re-enter, or apply for a tourist visa in advance at a Lao embassy (allows up to 30 days, extendable once).
Overstay fines add up fast
Overstaying costs $10 USD per day, payable at immigration when you leave. If you're even a day late, you'll be fined. Set a reminder on your phone for day 13 to be safe.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration counter
At Wattay International Airport (Vientiane) or Luang Prabang Airport, follow signs to 'Immigration' or 'Visa on Arrival' counters. For visa-free entry, go directly to the 'Foreign Passports' queue.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport (with 6+ months validity) and your return/onward ticket. The officer may ask for your hotel address — have it ready on your phone or a printout.
3
Get stamped in
The officer will stamp your passport with a 15-day entry permit. No fee is charged for Swiss citizens. Keep the stamp visible — you'll need it when you leave.
4
Collect baggage and exit
After immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually nothing to declare for personal items. Exit into the arrivals hall.
Download Laos Entry Checklist
PDF · Switzerland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 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.)
Apply at Lao embassy/consulate before travel. 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.)
For multiple visits within validity period. Apply at Lao embassy.
retirement visa
Lao Retirement Visa (B2)
1 year, renewable annually
~$100 USD per year
For foreigners aged 55+ who can prove a pension or sufficient funds. Requires annual renewal and proof of income. Allows long-term residence.
work visa
Lao Work Visa (B1)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD per year
For those with a job offer from a Lao company. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit. Allows multiple entries.
investor visa
Lao Investor Visa (B3)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD per year
For investors with a minimum investment of $50,000 USD in a Lao business. Requires proof of investment and business registration.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayNo official cap; pay at immigration upon departure. | $10 USD per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
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
Swiss passport holders transiting through Laos do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. For land border transit, a visa may be required.
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 yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialTetanus-diphtheriaRecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue FeverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne; risk year-round, especially in rainy season. Use repellent and mosquito nets.
MalariaHigh risk
Present in rural areas, especially in the south. Prophylaxis recommended for rural travel.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to poor sanitation. Drink bottled water and eat thoroughly cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
Risk is high in rural and forested areas, especially in the south. Prophylaxis recommended for those visiting rural 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, Vientiane
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, photos, and fee.
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang Immigration Office
Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions for tourists in the north. Arrive early to avoid queues.
Practical information for CH 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 = 21,811.53 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 15-day visa-free entry for Swiss passport holders cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you must leave Laos and re-enter (a 'visa run') or apply for a tourist visa in advance at a Lao embassy, which allows up to 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days.
The same 15-day visa-free rule applies at all international border crossings, including the Friendship Bridge from Thailand and the border at Da Nang from Vietnam. Just make sure the crossing is officially open to foreigners — some smaller border posts may not be.
If you're staying airside and not passing through immigration, you don't need a visa. But if you leave the transit area (e.g., to catch a connecting flight the next day), you'll need to enter Laos — either visa-free (up to 15 days) or with a visa.
You'll be fined $10 USD per day of overstay, payable at immigration when you leave. Overstays can also result in a black mark on your record, so avoid it if possible. If you know you'll overstay, it's better to leave and re-enter.
No. The visa-free entry is strictly for tourism. Any paid work, volunteering, or business activities require a proper visa (e.g., a business visa or work permit). Working without the right visa can lead to deportation and a ban.
Not typically for Swiss citizens. Immigration rarely asks for bank statements or cash. But if you're staying in expensive hotels or plan to travel extensively, having a credit card or some cash (USD or Lao Kip) is sensible.
You can buy a SIM at the airport (Unitel or Lao Telecom) for about $5 USD with 1-2 GB data. Alternatively, get an eSIM from Airalo before you travel — it activates as soon as you land and saves queuing.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.