# Laos Visa on Arrival & eVisa: Which Border Accepts What > What the Lao visa on arrival costs, where the eVisa actually works, and the crossings where official policy and traveller experience do not match. **Source:** https://laosbustickets.com/laos-visa-guide/ **Language:** en **Last verified:** 4 September 2026 **Written by:** Laos Bus Tickets, Vientiane, Laos **Other languages:** [Français](https://laosbustickets.com/fr/laos-visa-guide.md) · [Deutsch](https://laosbustickets.com/de/laos-visa-guide.md) · [Español](https://laosbustickets.com/es/laos-visa-guide.md) --- ## Quick answer Lao visa on arrival costs about US$40 for most nationalities (US$30–50 range), payable in USD cash, or roughly 1,500 THB at Thai land borders. Add US$1 at weekends and outside office hours. You need one passport photo. The Lao eVisa costs $45–50 and takes 3–5 working days, but it is only reliably accepted at Friendship Bridges 1, 2 and 4 and at Boten. It is widely reported as refused when entering overland from Vietnam or Cambodia. ## Common questions ### How much is the Lao visa on arrival? About US$40 for most nationalities, in a US$30–50 range. Chinese and Vietnamese nationals pay roughly US$20–35. At Thai land borders you can pay in baht, around 1,500 THB. ### Are there extra charges? Yes, US$1 at weekends and outside office hours, and a small surcharge if you do not have a passport photo. Bring one. Cards are unreliable at land borders; bring USD cash. ### Where does the Lao eVisa actually work? Officially at every international checkpoint. In practice it is reliably accepted at Friendship Bridges 1, 2 and 4 and at Boten. It is widely reported as not accepted when entering overland from Vietnam or Cambodia. If that is your route, carry cash for visa on arrival. ### How long does the eVisa take? Three to five working days, at US$45–50, more than visa on arrival, so its value is convenience rather than cost. ## Sources - [Lao Department of Immigration](https://immigration.gov.la): checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status - [Travelfish](https://www.travelfish.org/visas/laos): field reports on visa on arrival in practice --- _Written and maintained from Vientiane. The people behind this site have lived in Laos for two decades and cross these borders themselves. Routes and visa rules get rechecked whenever something changes, not on a fixed schedule that lets stale information sit for months._