Laos e-visa requirements for Swiss citizens

FAQs

1. Is Laos visa-free for Swiss citizens?

   Yes, Laos is visa-free for Swiss citizens for a stay of up to 15 days. This implies that Swiss nationals can enter Laos without a visa and stay in the country for up to 15 days without limitation.

   If you want to stay in Laos for more than 15 days, you must apply for a visa. A visa can be obtained at a Lao embassy or consulate in your home country, or from the airport in Vientiane.

   The Laos visa requirements for Swiss citizens are:

   • Passport – Valid for 6 months from the date of arrival in Laos. Make sure there is one blank in the stamp.
   • Passport photo – must be current and meet the criteria for a passport photo.
   • Travel itinerary.
   • Place of accommodation – A hotel reservation confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or proof of accommodation will suffice.
   • Email address – Each visa we provide to our customers will be sent as an email message. Therefore, please provide an email address that you use frequently.

   A Swiss national will be notified through email whether they are successful in acquiring a Laos eVisa.

   If the e-Visa is not granted for any reason, Swiss applicants must contact their nearest Laos embassy or consulate to apply for a Laos visa.

2. Can Swiss citizens apply for a Laos business visa?

   Yes, Swiss citizens can apply for a Laos business visa. A business visa is a type of visa that allows you to enter Laos for the purpose of conducting business.

   The visa application requirements for a Swiss citizen are:

   • A valid passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry into Laos.
   • A recent passport-sized photograph.
   • A blank passport front page
   • The first page of your passport.

   The processing time for a business visa for Swiss citizens is typically 1-3 working days. However, if you apply from a nation without an online application system, the processing time may be longer.

   You can apply for a Laos business visa at a Lao embassy or consulate in your home country, or at the airport in Vientiane.

   Here are some additional tips for applying for a Laos business visa:

   • Make sure your employer's or business sponsor's letter is in English or French.
   • A hotel reservation or a letter from a friend or family member who is hosting you might serve as proof of lodging in Laos.
   • A bank statement or a letter from your company confirming that they will reimburse your expenditures might serve as proof of adequate finances to sustain your stay in Laos.
3. What type of visa is required for Laos?

   There are different types of visas for traveling to Laos, with numerous aspects to consider when deciding which one you require. Travelers should consider the length of their stay in Laos as well as the cause of their travel since Laos visa types include business, tourist, transit, and more

   • Tourist Visa (T): This visa is appropriate for tourists and leisure travelers visiting Laos. It enables a brief vacation to the nation for sightseeing, visiting friends or family, or immersing oneself in the local culture.
   • Business Visa (B): The business visa is for foreign travelers traveling to Laos for business-related activities, such as attending meetings, conferences, or exploring business opportunities.
   • Transit Visa (TR): The transit visa is for travelers passing through Laos on their way to another destination and requires a short stopover in the country.
   • Visa on Arrival (VOA): Some nationalities are eligible for visas on arrival in Laos at specified entrance ports. This sort of visa permits for a brief stay in the country for tourists or businesses. However, before flying, be sure your nationality is qualified for a VOA.
   • E-Visa: The Laos government unveiled the Laos eVisa (really titled Laos Approval Letter) in July 2019, an electronic visa to travel to Laos that streamlines the process of acquiring a visa to visit the nation. This website will be updated with current information regarding the Laos eVisa.
   • Work Visa (E): For individuals intending to work in Laos, a work visa is required. Work visas are usually obtained through sponsorship from an employer or organization in Laos.
   • Residence Visa: For those planning to live in Laos for an extended period, a residence visa is necessary.
4. How to travel to Laos from Switzerland?

   Swiss citizens must print the Laos eVisa Approval Letter. Travelers must bring a valid Swiss passport as well as a printed eVisa Approval Letter.

   Swiss citizens should do the following when they arrive at the Laotian border:

   • Go to the eVisa lane in the immigration area.
   • Show border authorities your Swiss passport and e-Visa.
   • Receive final permission to enter Laos

   There are a few ways to travel to Laos from Switzerland. Here are some of the most popular options:

   • By plane: Because there are no direct flights from Switzerland to Laos, you must take a connecting trip. Bangkok, Hanoi, and Kuala Lumpur are all major connecting airports. The flight from Switzerland to Laos takes about 10-12 hours.
   • By bus: There are no direct buses between Switzerland and Laos. However, you can travel by bus to Bangkok, Thailand, and then take a connecting bus to Laos.
   • By car: Driving to Laos from Switzerland is possible, but it is a lengthy and difficult voyage. Switzerland and Laos are almost 5,000 kilometers apart, and the journey would take at least 5 days.

   Once you arrive in Laos, you can travel around the country by plane, train, bus, or car.

5. Do Swiss citizens need proof of onward travel to Laos?

   Yes, Swiss citizens need to show proof of onward travel when entering Laos. This is mandatory for all travelers to Laos, regardless of nationality.

   A valid visa for another country, a confirmed onward airplane or bus ticket, or a letter from a travel agent confirming your further travel plans can all serve as proof of onward travel.

   When you arrive in Laos, immigration officials may want to examine your documentation of onward travel. You may be refused admission into Laos if you do not have documentation of onward travel.

   Here are some tips for getting proof of onward travel to Laos:

   • Plan your next steps ahead of time. You'll have a piece of mind knowing you have a confirmed ticket or visa.
   • Always have your evidence of further travel with you. This involves storing it in your passport or another secure location.
   • When you arrive in Laos, be prepared to provide your evidence of onward travel to the immigration officials.
6. Is 2 days enough in Luang Prabang?

   With just two days in Luang Prabang, you may get a good perspective of the city, see a Mekong sunset, meet some monks, and take a culinary lesson. You may also explore the surrounding area by taking a river boat to the Pak Ou Caves and seeing one of the neighboring waterfalls, or perhaps working on a genuine farm.Here’s how.

   Day 1: Morning

   Begin the day early, like the locals do, by waking up to witness the monks collecting alms throughout the city and participating in the rite yourself. Take in the ambiance at a wet (product) market, which is buzzing long before daylight, and then walk in the footsteps of Laos' last king at the Royal Palace Museum.

   Day 1: Afternoon

   Culture vultures could spend the afternoon exploring the city's iconic temples, including Vat Visounarath and Wat Xieng Thong. Others may learn about Laos' distinctive cuisine, which includes elements from Thailand, China, and even France, by taking a culinary lesson.

   Day 1: Night

   The colors that the setting sun reflects in the Mekong will stay with you for the rest of your life. Experience your first sunset in Luang Prabang from a sunset boat, above Mt. Phousi in the city center, or from a humble riverbank bistro with a cool Beer Lao in hand.

   Day 2: Morning

   Continue your Mekong adventures with a traditional Luang Prabang adventure: a river trip to the Buddha-filled Pak Ou Caves. Many boats stop in traditional villages such as Whisky community (Ban Xang Hai) and Ban Xang Khong, a weaving community.

   Day 2:  Afternoon

   A number of beautiful waterfalls cascade through the trees just west of Luang Prabang. Spend the afternoon visiting Kuang Si Falls, a three-tiered waterfall that also houses a bear rescue facility that rescues bears from the brutal traditional medicine trade. Alternatively, visit a real organic farm and learn about the hard job of rice production.

   Day 2: Night

   The vibrant night market in Luang Prabang is one of the top places in Southeast Asia to browse for handicrafts. Purchase mulberry-paper notebooks, vibrant silks, and embroidered bags. Finish your tour to the city with a gourmet dining feast by candlelight in a tropical garden at one of Luang Prabang's beautiful restaurants.