Laos entry requirements for Sweden 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
Swedish passport holders can enter Laos visa-free for up to 15 days. This policy is in effect for 2026 and applies to tourism and short business visits. No visa application is needed before you travel — just show up with your passport and a return 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 6 months of remaining validity from the day you leave Laos. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Laos within 15 days | Immigration officers at Wattay International Airport and land borders routinely ask for a flight or bus ticket out of Laos. If you don't have one, they may deny entry or require you to buy one on the spot. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers sometimes ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A printed hotel confirmation or a friend's address with their phone number works fine. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds At least $1,000 USD or equivalent | Laos can ask you to show you have enough money for your stay. Carry at least $1,000 USD in cash or have a bank statement ready — credit cards aren't widely accepted outside Vientiane and Luang Prabang. | Recommended |
15 days is strict — no extensions
The visa-free entry is exactly 15 days, not extendable. If you need more time, get a tourist visa before you go (30 days, extendable) or plan a visa run. Overstaying costs $10/day.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you land in Laos, not from your departure date. Check now — if it's close, renew before you travel.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration counter
At any international airport in Laos (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse), head to the immigration counter for foreign passports. There's no separate visa-on-arrival queue for Swedish citizens — you go straight to the 'Visa Free' or 'Foreign Passports' lane.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport (valid 6+ months) and your return/onward ticket. The officer may ask for your accommodation address. Answer clearly. No visa fee is charged.
3
Get stamped in
The officer will stamp your passport with a 15-day entry. Check the stamp before leaving the counter — make sure the date is correct. You're free to enter Laos.
Download Laos Entry Checklist
PDF · Sweden 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
Cost$40 USD (approx. 840,000 LAK)
Can be obtained on arrival at major airports and land borders. Extend once for 30 days at immigration office.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay60 days total (30+30 per entry)
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$60 USD (approx. 1,260,000 LAK)
Must be applied for at a Lao embassy abroad. Allows multiple entries within validity.
Business visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable up to 1 year
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$50 USD (approx. 1,050,000 LAK)
Requires invitation letter from a Lao company. Can be extended for longer stays.
retirement visa
Lao Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant B3)
1 year, renewable annually
~$150 USD per year (including visa fee and extension)
For foreigners aged 55+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds (approx. $1,000/month). Allows long-term stay without work. Requires annual renewal at immigration.
work visa
Lao Work Visa (Non-Immigrant B2)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD per year (including work permit and visa)
For those employed by a Lao company or NGO. Requires a work permit and sponsorship. Allows multiple entries and long-term residence.
student visa
Lao Student Visa (Non-Immigrant B1)
1 year, renewable annually
~$100 USD per year
For enrolled students at accredited Lao institutions. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayPay at immigration upon departure. No official cap, but fines can accumulate. | $10 USD per day (approx. 100,000 LAK) |
| Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days)Available at Lao embassies/consulates abroad or on arrival at major entry points. | $40 USD (approx. 840,000 LAK) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry, 60 days)Must be obtained in advance from a Lao embassy; not available on arrival. | $60 USD (approx. 1,260,000 LAK) |
| Stay extension (30 days)Apply at immigration office before visa-free period expires. Requires passport photo and form. | $30 USD (approx. 630,000 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
Swedish passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Lao airports (e.g., Wattay International Airport in Vientiane) as long as they remain in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or passing through immigration, a visa-free entry (15 days) or visa on arrival is required.
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 and South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)RecommendedMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)RecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue FeverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne disease common in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season (May–October).
MalariaModerate risk
Risk in rural and forested areas, especially in southern provinces. Prophylaxis recommended for high-risk areas.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to contaminated food/water. Stick to bottled water and well-cooked food.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk is highest in rural and forested areas, especially in southern provinces (Champasak, Attapeu). Prophylaxis (e.g., doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil) recommended for those visiting these 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 (Head Office)
Km 3, Thadeua Road, Ban Phonthan, Vientiane
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and re-entry permits. Bring passport, 1 photo, and fee in cash (USD or LAK).
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang Immigration Office
Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang (near the night market)
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:00–16:00
Handles extensions for tourists. Often less crowded than Vientiane.
Practical information for SE 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, you must leave Laos and re-enter (land border or flight) to get a new 15-day stamp, or apply for a tourist visa in advance (30 days, extendable). Overstaying costs about $10 per day.
You have two options: (1) Apply for a tourist visa at a Lao embassy before you travel — that gives you 30 days and can be extended by another 30 days at immigration offices in Laos. (2) Do a 'visa run' — leave Laos to a neighbouring country (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia) and re-enter for another 15-day visa-free stay. Overland crossings work fine.
If you stay airside and don't pass immigration, no visa is needed. But if you leave the transit area (e.g., to catch a domestic flight or stay overnight), you'll need to use your visa-free entry or get a visa on arrival. Check with your airline.
Yes. The 15-day visa-free entry applies at all international border crossings — both airports and land borders (e.g., from Thailand at Friendship Bridge, from Vietnam at Lao Bao, from Cambodia at Veun Kham). Same rules: passport validity, return ticket.
You'll be fined $10 per day at immigration when you leave. Pay in cash (US dollars or Lao kip). Overstays under 30 days are usually straightforward — just pay and go. Longer overstays may require a visit to the immigration office in Vientiane.
No. There's no official requirement to show bank statements or cash. But if you look like you're working illegally or have no means of support, an officer could ask. Having a credit card or some cash (around $300) is sensible.
No, it's not required by law. But it's strongly recommended. Medical facilities in Laos are basic outside major cities, and evacuation to Thailand can cost thousands. A basic policy covering medical and evacuation is cheap insurance.
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.