How to Apply for Myanmar and Laos Visa from India , Step-by-Step 2026

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Last updated April 2026 · Verified against official sources

How to Apply for Laos Visa from India, Step-by-Step Guide 2026

The Laos e-visa application is entirely online and takes about 20 minutes to complete. No embassy visit, no courier, no biometrics appointment. The two steps that trip up most Indian applicants are the photo background (Vietnam requires white, Indian studios use grey) and the credit card settings (most Indian banks disable international transactions by default). Sort both before you open the form and the remaining steps are straightforward.

📑 In This Article
  1. Prepare These Before Opening the Form
  2. Step-by-Step Application Guide
  3. After Your Application, Tracking and Receiving Approval
  4. Frequently Asked Questions About Applying
  5. Laos vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians
  6. Before You Apply, Final Checklist
  7. Common Mistakes Laos Travelers Wish They Had Known
  8. Laos Visa Guide by Departure City
Application, Key Facts
Portal
Official Site
https://laoevisa.gov.la
Time Required
20 minutes
When documents are prepared
Fee
Rs 4,200
Visa or Mastercard only
Processing
3 to 5 business days
Apply 2 weeks before travel

Prepare These Before Opening the Form

Do This First, Before Opening the Application

1. Enable international payments on your card. Open your bank app and enable international online transactions. HDFC: Cards, Manage Card, International Usage, enable E-Commerce. SBI YONO: Cards, Manage Card, Transaction Limits. If you skip this, your card declines after 15 minutes of form filling.

2. Fix your photo background. Go to remove.bg, upload your passport photo, download the white-background JPEG. Zoom in on the result and check all corners, no grey patches. This prevents the most common rejection cause.

3. Open your passport and keep it visible throughout. You will need to copy your full name exactly, passport number character by character, and entry airport from your flight booking.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

1
Choose your entry method for each country
For Laos: e-Visa (laoevisa.gov.la, USD 50, apply 1 week ahead) or VoA (USD 30 cash at airport/border on arrival). For Myanmar: e-Visa (evisa.moip.gov.mm, USD 50, apply 1 week ahead) or VoA if arriving by air before August 29, 2026 (USD 50 cash, Yangon/Mandalay/Nay Pyi Taw airports only). If doing a combined Laos-Myanmar itinerary with overland crossings, e-Visa for both is the safe choice.

2
Apply for Laos e-Visa at laoevisa.gov.la
Go to laoevisa.gov.la. Select Tourist e-Visa. Fill personal and travel details — passport number, proposed entry date, entry port (choose from the designated list), accommodation details. Upload passport bio page scan and a recent passport photo (4×6 cm, white background). Pay USD 50 by Visa or Mastercard. You receive an approval letter by email in 3 to 5 business days. Print the approval letter and show at the designated Lao entry port — the actual visa sticker is affixed to your passport on arrival.

3
Apply for Myanmar e-Visa at evisa.moip.gov.mm
Go to evisa.moip.gov.mm. Register an account. Select Tourist Visa. Fill required details — passport information, proposed arrival date, port of entry (Yangon, Mandalay, or other designated airports). Upload passport scan and photo. Pay USD 50 by card. Processing: 3 working days. You receive an approval letter by email. Print it. Show at Myanmar immigration on arrival — your passport gets stamped with a 28-day tourist visa.

4
Plan your entry ports — critical for overland travelers
For a classic combined itinerary (India-Bangkok-Laos-Myanmar or India-Vietnam-Laos-Myanmar): check that each border crossing point you plan to use is on the approved list for both countries’ e-Visas. The Nong Khai (Thailand-Laos Friendship Bridge) is a common Laos entry for travelers coming from Bangkok. The Mae Sai/Tachileik crossing (Thailand-Myanmar) and Myawaddy (Thailand-Myanmar) are the main overland Thailand-Myanmar crossings. Verify current operational status before planning any land crossing — some open and close based on political situation.

5
Prepare USD cash for VoA or backup
Even if applying e-Visa, carry USD 60 to USD 80 in crisp bills as backup. At Laos borders: USD 30 for VoA, plus USD 1 overtime fee possible after 6 PM, plus USD 1 if no photo. At Myanmar airports for VoA: USD 50. Bills must be crisp, undamaged, dated 2009 or newer. Exchange INR to USD at major Indian bank branches or international airport forex before departure — better rates than border exchanges.

6
Check MEA travel advisory for Myanmar
Before booking any Myanmar trip, read the current Indian MEA travel advisory at mea.gov.in. The situation changes — some areas are restricted, some have improved. Register with the Indian Embassy in Yangon before traveling: +95-1-229-541, indianembassyrangoon.in.th. For Laos, the situation is stable and peaceful — no significant security concerns for tourists as of 2026.

After Your Application, Tracking and Receiving Approval

Check your application status at https://laoevisa.gov.la using the “Check E-Visa Status” option with your application code and passport number. The status will show Processing, Approved, or Rejected. Most Indian applicants receive a decision within 3 to 5 business days.

When approved, download the PDF from your email immediately. Print two copies before you fly, one for the Indian airport check-in counter, one for Laos immigration. The letter has a QR code that officers scan to verify your visa. Make sure the printout is clear enough for the scanner to read it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying

Can I save the Laos Visa application and complete it later?
The portal has a save feature but it is not always reliable on mobile browsers. Have all documents ready and complete the application in one 20-minute session.
Can I change my entry airport after paying?
No. The application is locked after payment. If your plans change, you need a fresh application and pay Rs 4,200 again. This is why verifying the entry airport against your actual flight booking before paying is critical.
My card was declined. What do I do?
Open your bank app and enable international online transactions, this is disabled by default at most Indian banks. HDFC: Cards, Manage Card, International Usage, enable E-Commerce. SBI YONO: Cards, Manage Card, Transaction Limits. If still failing, use a family member’s Visa or Mastercard.
Do I need to print the Laos Visa approval letter?
Yes, print two physical copies. One for the check-in counter at your Indian departure airport, one for immigration in {c[‘name’]}. Some counters do not accept phone screens.
What if I don’t receive approval email after 3 business days?
Check your spam folder first. Then check status at https://laoevisa.gov.la using your application code. If status shows Processing after 5 business days, this may indicate an issue, contact Laos Immigration via the email on the official portal.

Laos vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians

Country Visa for Indians Fee Stay Best For
Laos e-Visa USD 50 or VoA USD 30 Rs 4,200 / Rs 2,520 30 days stay Luang Prabang, Mekong, slow travel, Buddhist culture
Myanmar e-Visa USD 50 or VoA (air only) Rs 4,200 28 days stay Bagan temples, Inle Lake, Yangon — with security caveats
Cambodia e-Visa USD 36 or VoA USD 35 Rs 3,025 30 days stay Angkor Wat — more visited, easier logistics
Vietnam e-Visa required Rs 2,100 90 days stay 90-day stay, more infrastructure, Ha Long Bay
Thailand Visa-free (open-ended) Rs 0 30 days stay Hub for SE Asia itineraries, easiest for Indians

Before You Apply, Final Checklist

Check These Before Submitting Payment
  • Photo background is pure white, verified by zooming into corners. Use remove.bg if any grey. Saves Rs 4,200 reapplication cost.
  • Name copied exactly from passport, full name including middle name, same capitalisation as bio-data page.
  • Entry airport matches actual flight, checked against your flight booking or e-ticket, not memory.
  • Passport number verified twice, character by character. O vs 0, I vs 1.
  • Passport validity at least 6 months beyond entry date, check expiry date now.
  • International transactions enabled on your card, in your bank app before opening the form.
  • Entry type selected correctly, single or multiple depending on your itinerary. Check fees for each in the visa types table.
  • Applying at least 14 days before travel, enough buffer for any rejection and reapplication.

Common Mistakes Laos Travelers Wish They Had Known

Booking non-refundable flights before getting visa approval. The e-visa takes 3 to 5 business days but can extend during Vietnamese public holidays. Always wait for the approval email before booking flights you cannot cancel.

Using a travel agent for the e-visa. Agents in India charge Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 to fill a 15-minute form available at the official portal for Rs 4,200. The visa you receive is identical. Apply at https://laoevisa.gov.la directly.

Printing only one copy of the approval letter. You need it at two points: the check-in counter at the Indian airport, and Laos immigration on arrival. Print two copies and carry both.

Arriving at the airport with only a phone screen. Some immigration counters in Laos do not accept phone screens. Physical printed copies are always accepted. Print before you leave home.

Choosing the wrong entry type. Single entry (Rs 4,200) is right for a Vietnam-only trip. Multiple entry (check visa types table for Laos fee) is needed if you plan to exit to Cambodia or Laos and return. Confirm which you need before paying.

Laos Visa Guide by Departure City

MumbaiCity-specific guide
DelhiCity-specific guide
BangaloreCity-specific guide
KolkataCity-specific guide
ChennaiCity-specific guide
HyderabadCity-specific guide
PuneCity-specific guide
AhmedabadCity-specific guide
JaipurCity-specific guide
LucknowCity-specific guide
Full Laos Visa Guide

This page covers how to apply for laos visa from india. For the complete Laos visa guide with all topics: Laos Visa for Indians 2026, Complete Guide

Apply for Laos Visa

Cost: Rs 4,200. Processing: 3 to 5 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.

Official portal: https://laoevisa.gov.la

Updated April 2026. For information only. Verify at official sources before booking travel.

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📅 Last updated: May 13, 2026