Laos business visa application, requirements, price, and processing time
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Famous for its unexplored lands and stunning scenery, Laos is one of the most popular travel destinations among many international travelers. Although most foreign nationals visit Laos for tourism purposes, you can also enter the country for professional and personal activities.
Depending on your purpose of visit, you can apply for different types of Lao visas. Foreign citizens can get Laos tourist visas for tourism and leisure or Laos business visas for business purposes.
In this article, we have discussed about Laos business visas: visa requirements for a Laos business visa, and how to apply for this travel document online.
So, without further ado, let's get into it!
Laos Business Visa - Application Process
For different countries, the Lao government has set different visa policies. You can get an e-visa, a traditional visa, or a visa on arrival, depending on the nature of your visit.
For business purposes, the country offers business visas. A Laos business visa is a travel document that permits holders to visit the country for commercial and professional activities, such as:
Attending seminars and business meetings
Meeting with business associates
Enrolling in a training program
It's a single-entry travel document that comes with a validity period of 90 days. Holders of a Laos business visa can stay in the country for 30 days within the validity period.
Visa Application Process
The application process for a Laos business visa depends upon several factors, including your nationality and selected visa type. If you prefer convenience, a business e-visa is an excellent choice for you as you can get this travel document from the comfort of your home.
Unfortunately, not all foreign nationals are eligible for a Laos eVisa. If that's the case for you, you're required to get a traditional paper or stamp visa. Compared to an online Lao visa, applicants are required to visit the embassy or consulate office to get a traditional visa.
Undoubtedly, the fastest and most convenient way to apply for a Laos business visa is through VisaHQ. You can partner up with VisaHQ, and we'll do all the work. All you need to do is:
Visit VisaHQ
Select your citizenship
Choose your travel destination
Fill out the Laos visa application form
Pay the visa processing fee
Submit your application
If you submit your application at the Lao embassy, it can take an entire day to fulfill all of the visa requirements. However, if you partner up with VisaHQ, you can complete this process within 10 minutes. Afterward, the embassy will process your visa application, and you'll get an approved travel document via email!
Keep in mind that a Laos visa does not guarantee your entry; the final decision will be made by the embassy. Therefore, you should fulfill all of the entry requirements while traveling to Laos!
Laos Visa Requirements
There are a few documents required to apply for a Laos business visa, also known as Laos visa requirements. You must fulfill all of these requirements to avoid complications!
Laos visa requirements vary from applicant to applicant, depending on your nationality. So, it's advised to visit VisaHQ and select your citizenship to find out all of the necessary supporting documents required for a Laos business visa.
Some of the basic documents required to apply for a Laos visa include the following:
Valid Passport - An original passport valid for at least 6 more months. Make sure your passport has at least 2 blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps
Passport-Style Photograph - A recent photograph taken in front of a white background within the last 6 months
Travel Itinerary - A copy of your detailed travel itinerary or a round-trip ticket
Invitation Letter - A business invitation letter issued by a sponsoring company located in Laos
Business Support Letter - A business support letter issued by the sending company which states the nature of your visit
You may need some additional documents, depending on your nationality. Plus, make sure to get a covid-19 vaccination certificate before traveling to Laos so that you don't have to self-isolate.
Visa Application Form
Your Laos visa application form is the most important thing to get a travel document. Travelers need to provide personal, contact, travel, and passport details to the ministry of foreign affairs through their visa application form.
These details include the following:
Name and surname
Nationality
Date of birth
Place of birth
Email address
Phone number
Passport number
Issue and expiry date
Travel dates
Before you submit your online form, make sure to double-check the application. If there are mistakes in your visa application form, the embassy will eventually delay or deny your travel document!
Processing Time
When it comes to processing time, you can get a regular visa or an urgent business visa for Laos. The processing time for a regular visa is 7-10 business days. Alternatively, applicants can get an urgent Laos visa within 3 business days.
Laos Visa Policy
Laos has a visa policy that influences government policy regarding migration and visitors coming from foreign countries. Most visitors are expected to get visas online or on any of the Laotian foreign missions unless they are nationals of any visa-exempt country. Only visa-exempt visitors are allowed into the country without visas. However, all visitors must have valid passports for at least 6 months.
Laos also has a visa-on-arrival program for selected nationalities who are allowed to stay in the country for 30 days after receiving visas at any of the approved points of entry. These entry points are approved airports such as Pakse, Luang, and Wattay International Airports and the Thai -Lao Friendship Bridge I, II, III, and IV, the Samliemkgam, Daensavan, Tanalaeng, Boten, Vang Tao, and Veunkham border crossings.
Visas issued on arrival can be extended twice but not for more than 90 days combined, and this is handled by the immigration authorities in Laos for a fee.
Laos e Visa
The Laotian e visa is an online visa program that has been in commission since 2019. This e-visa is available to all foreign nationals regardless of their country and is valid for 60 days after issuance. The visa allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 30 days, and the cost varies depending on the applicant’s country. E visas are issued within three working days after the application form is submitted.
Key Information About Laos e Visa
Before you submit your application for this e Visa, here are some vital tips to bear in mind.
Extension Application: E-visa holders are allowed to apply for an extension if the 30 days are insufficient for them; however, there is a caveat. Some nationalities are allowed to apply for extensions twice, while others can only apply for extensions once. The number of extension days will be at the discretion of the immigration authorities. To get an extension, submit your application to the immigration office at least a week before your e-visa expires, and this application will cost a fee payable to the immigration service. Applying for an extension after your existing visa expires is a violation.
Passport Validity: Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity from your arrival date to Laos. Any passport that expires in less than 6 months will not be accepted. Also, note that the same passport for the application should be the one you use for the trip. If you travel with a different passport, you will encounter issues at the port of entry because e-visas are linked to the passports you register with.
Approved Routes: There are only 7 approved routes for e-visa visitors to Laos; three airports and 4 border crossings. Traveling through any other route is prohibited, and you will not be allowed into the country. However, you can exit using an unapproved route.
Print A Copy: The e-visa will be forwarded to the email address you provided in the application form. Once you get the e-visa, please print it out and keep it in a safe place. On the day of your trip, travel to Laos with it and show it to the immigration officers to show that you do have a visa. Also, carry it with you if you are in public during your stay in the country in case you encounter law enforcement officers.
Non-Refundable Fee: The application fee for this visa is paid online with a credit or debit card, not with cash. Do note that this fee is not refundable and does not guarantee that the e-visa will be issued to you if you don’t qualify. The fee is only used for processing your application.
Don’t Overstay: Holders of e-visas are only allowed to stay in Laos for 30 days and additional days if they are granted an extension. Do not stay back after your visa expires, as that will be an immigration violation that will attract sanctions like fines and deportation.
Not For Residency: E visas are short-term, not long-stay, like residency visas issued by Laotian embassies and consulates. If you wish to work or live in Laos, we advise you to approach the nearest Laotian embassy for a work visa. Persons who enter the country with work visas are issued work and resident permits.
Laos Visa Online – Get your e-Visa with VisaHQ
If you want to travel to Laos in Southeast Asia, you may need to apply for a visa through a foreign mission or online. For travelers eligible for an electronic visa, VisaHQ is the perfect platform to apply for one. We also have updated information about everything that concerns the application process, policy.
How To Apply For A Visa With VisaHQ?
You can apply for an online visa to Laos with VisaHQ without stress. The application form is structured in such a way that you can fill it out on your own without requiring help from a third party. You are good to go as long as you have a computer or smartphone connected to the internet. Follow these steps to file your application.
Complete The Application Form: Start by choosing the type of e-visa you want, then fill out the application form. You must provide your passport, travel, and personal information. Do these carefully and make sure that your information matches what is on your travel documents.
Upload Documents: Once you are done filling out the form, upload your travel documents based on the requirements for the visa you are applying for. Your documents must be valid and accurate.
Submitting invalid documents belonging to someone else will be accepted. Also, pay the application fee with your credit or debit card, then submit the application form.
Get Your Visa: E-Visa applications take only a few days to process, and the approval will be forwarded to your email address. Do well to print it out and keep it safe for your trip.
Why Use VisaHQ?
If you are still in doubt as to whether to use VisaHQ or not, you might want to reconsider. We have been in business for more than 2 decades and have helped many applicants facilitate their applications. We have experienced staff who know all there is to know about online visa applications, and we are willing to help you avoid difficulties and mistakes. With offices in six countries and across two continents, VisaHQ has what it takes to ensure that your application is successful.
Who says you need travel agents when you can leverage our seamless processes and user-friendly platform to submit your application yourself? Even if you have never used online platforms before and you lack prior experience, you can do it right the first time with VisaHQ.
We guarantee you
- The smooth and stress-free application process
- Online application status tracking
- Apply for multiple visas at once
- Save your data for use in the future instead of starting the process from scratch every time
- Transparent pricing
- Data security with our advanced data protection software
- Technical Support whenever you need it
These and more are what you stand to gain when you use our trusted platform for all your online applications. We are your best bet if you are looking for the easiest way to submit your online visa application. Navigate to our application page to start the process, or better still, send us your inquiries, and we will respond to them speedily.