Laos

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 2/4 — Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 2/4
• ☐ Canada: level 2/4 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

Health notices

• ☐ Global Polio (level 2)
• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)

Entry requirements

☐ Visitors to Laos must obtain a visa from one of the Laotian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens eligible for a visa on arrival or an e-Visa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.

☐ Passport valid 6+ months beyond your stay

Practical

• ☐ Plug type A/B/C/E/F, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the right
• ☐ Emergency (police): 191
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 195
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 190
• ☐ Money: The use of ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, holidays, etc. A few visitors have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to continue their travels. Always bring some cash. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns.

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Mandatory identification — You must carry an identification document, such as a passport or national ID card, at all times. Police have the legal right to request it, and failing to produce it results in a fine.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Laos — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM