Travelling to Laos is becoming more popular among Egyptian travellers who want a peaceful, cultural, and nature-filled getaway in Southeast Asia. The country is known for its relaxed vibe, misty mountains, Buddhist temples, and the famous Mekong River. Thankfully, getting permission to enter Laos has become much easier with the eVisa system. Here’s a Laos eVisa for Egyptian Citizens — written simply and conversationally, as if by a traveller who’s done the process themselves.
Do Egyptian citizens need a visa to visit Laos?
Yes — if you hold an Egyptian passport and want to visit Lao PDR (Laos), you cannot just show up visa-free. You need to obtain a visa before or upon arrival.
Thankfully, you have two main options:
-
Apply for an eVisa online before your trip.
-
Get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at certain border points.
What documents are required for the Laos eVisa application?
If you — as an Egyptian traveller — choose to apply online for a Laos eVisa, you’ll need a few simple things ready:
-
Valid Egyptian passport: Ensure that your passport is valid and will remain so for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry. The passport should have a minimum of 2 blank pages to accommodate immigration stamps.
-
Colour passport-size photograph: Provide a recent photograph that meets the required specifications for a passport photo.
Sometimes, additional documents may be requested, but the above list covers the standard requirements.
How do I apply for the Laos eVisa online from Egypt?
Applying is straightforward. The online process for eVisa goes roughly like this:
-
Access the online lao-evisa.com site: Visit the online lao-evisa.com website and create an account.
-
Fill Out the Application Form: Complete the online Laos eVisa application form with your personal details, passport information, and travel plans. Double-check all the information for accuracy to prevent delays or rejections.
-
Upload Supporting Documents: A scanned copy of your passport bio-data page (valid for six months). A recent passport-sized photograph.
-
Pay the Visa Fee: The eVisa fee varies depending on the processing speed you choose (Standard, Urgent, or Super Urgent). Payment is made securely online using a credit or debit card.
-
Wait for Approval: Once submitted, applications are usually processed within 5 – 7 Working Days (Standard), 3 – 5 Working Days (Urgent), or 1 – 3 Hours (Super Urgent).
-
Download and Print Your eVisa: After approval, the eVisa will be sent to your registered email. Print a copy to present upon arrival in Laos along with your passport.
That’s it! Then you fly (or travel) to Laos and present your passport + printed Approval Letter at immigration.
How long does the Laos eVisa remain valid, and how long can I stay?
Good question — these are two different things.
-
Once your eVisa is approved, its validity period is 60 days. That means you must enter Laos within those 60 days.
-
Once you arrive in Laos, the allowed stay is up to 30 days (single entry).
-
The eVisa only allows one single entry. If you leave and want to return you’d need a new visa.
How much does the Laos eVisa cost?
The Laos eVisa Fees for Egyptian citizens are relatively affordable and can be paid online during the application process. Keep in mind that prices may vary slightly, so it’s a good idea to check the lao-evisa.com site for the most up-to-date information before submitting your application.
The payment is required for the application to be processed.
How long does eVisa processing take for Egyptian citizens?
Usually, the standard processing time for
-
Standard Processing: This is the usual processing time, which takes within 5 – 7 Working Days for eVisa processing. Standard processing is best for travellers who plan their trip and have time to wait for standard processing.
-
Urgent Processing: The eVisa processing is completed within 3 – 5 Working Days and fits the travellers who need their visa quickly but are not in an immediate rush.
-
Super Urgent Processing: Processed within 1 – 3 Hours. It is most suitable for last-minute travellers requiring the fastest possible approval.
So it’s wise to apply with some buffer — ideally at least a week before your travel date.
Do children/infants from Egypt also require an eVisa for Laos?
Yes. For eVisa or visa-on-arrival, all travellers — including children and infants — need a visa.
So if you’re travelling with minors, make sure their passport, photo, and all required details are included in the application.
Can I get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) with an Egyptian passport?
Yes. As an Egyptian citizen, you can opt for Visa on Arrival instead of the online eVisa.
This gives more flexibility if your travel plan is spontaneous or you decide last minute.
However, VOA also has its own limitations (single entry, passport validity, entry points) and you may have to wait at immigration, especially when many travellers arrive together.
Can I extend my stay in Laos?
If you come on a tourist eVisa, your initial stay permit is 30 days. Some sources suggest that Egyptian visitors can extend stay by an additional 30 days by visiting local immigration before the visa expires.
However, policy can change. It’s a good idea to double-check once you are in Laos (or ask locally) if extension is still allowed.
Laos eVisa better hai ya visa on arrival for Egyptians?
Here are pros and cons in simple friendly tone — this helps you decide what’s better for you.
Why eVisa could be better:
-
You apply from home — no hassle arriving and filling forms at the border.
-
You get your visa approval ahead of time, so arrival is smoother.
-
You have a dedicated eVisa lane at many entry points — tends to be faster than VOA queue.
Why VOA might be okay (or even better) sometimes:
-
More flexibility — good if your travel plan is not fixed or you decide last minute.
-
No need to wait days for approval (in theory) if arrival is spontaneous.
-
You don’t need to obtain an approval letter in advance.
So if you plan, eVisa is usually more convenient and less stressful. If your trip is spontaneous or last-minute, VOA gives flexibility.
Can I edit my eVisa application after submitting it?
Once you submit your application and pay the fee, editing is generally not allowed. The application must have accurate details (passport number, name spelling, date etc.) before submission.
If there’s a mistake after submission, many sources advise reapplying rather than trying to edit (because visa rules tend to be rigid).
Is the eVisa fee refundable if the application is denied?
-
Refunds are allowed only if the application has not started processing.
-
No refunds once processing begins or after a visa is issued.
-
Refunds may be considered for health/emergency reasons, technical issues, or wrong visa type, but only before processing starts.
-
If a visa is refused, the fee is non-refundable.
-
Refunds go back to the same payment method.
-
Processing time depends on your bank (4–17 business days).
-
A $20+ refund processing fee applies.
-
Exchange rate differences may affect the final refund amount.
-
Refunds may be cancelled if customer-side issues occur.
Should I apply for an e-Visa through a travel agent or the online portal myself?
I always recommend doing it yourself, online — especially if you have a straightforward tourist trip.
-
User Experience Issues
-
Many government e‑visa websites are not very user-friendly; the interface might be clunky, or instructions unclear.
-
-
Limited Help / Customer Support
-
If you run into problems (uploading documents, payment issues, technical bugs), support might be slow or not very responsive.
-
-
Technical Glitches
-
Some users report site crashes, timeouts, or difficulties in filling/ submitting the form.
-
-
No Refunds
-
If your application is rejected or there is an error, you might not get a refund of the visa‑fee component (depends on the country) — and there’s no “agent guarantee.”
-
Pros of Using an Agent / Travel Agency
-
Convenience / Time Saving
-
Agents can handle the entire process: filling out forms, formatting photo/passport scans, tracking status.\
-
-
Higher Success Rate (Sometimes)
-
Experienced agents may make fewer mistakes and understand common pitfalls, reducing the chances of rejection.
-
-
Better Support
-
Agents often provide 24/7 customer support throughout — helpful if you’re not confident with the visa process or paperwork.
-
-
Faster Processing (Potentially)
-
Some agents promise faster turnaround (though this depends on their arrangements, not always guaranteed).
-
How to Check Your Laos eVisa Application Status Online?
Once you apply, you should receive — via email — a confirmation or reference code / application ID. Then:
-
Visit the eVisa website and look for a “Check Status” page.
-
Enter your application ID (or passport number, depending on the system) and check if the visa is approved, pending, or needs more info.
If it’s approved, you’ll receive the eVisa Approval Letter via email. Print it (or at least have a clear copy) — that’s what you show at arrival.
🧳 Travel Tips (from a traveller’s perspective)
-
Before applying: make sure passport has at least 6 months validity and one free blank page for visa/stamp.
-
Use a recent passport-style photo (plain background, no shadows, good lighting). Upload carefully.
-
Use a reliable card for payment to avoid issues.
-
Apply at least a week or more before planned departure so you have buffer in case of delays.
-
Print (or have a PDF copy) of the eVisa Approval Letter — carry it with passport. Don’t rely solely on a phone screenshot (some travellers say immigration wants printed version).
-
When arriving, go to the eVisa lane at designated airports or land borders.
-
If plans change or you leave Laos and return — remember you’ll need a new visa (single-entry only).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I enter Laos on eVisa if my passport is expiring soon?
A: No — your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival date. Otherwise authorities may deny entry.
Q: Can I enter via any entry point with eVisa?
A: Not all. Only certain airports and border crossings accept eVisa. For example:
Q: Can I stay more than 30 days?
A: The standard stay is 30 days. Some sources say an extension may be possible (another 30 days) but you should check locally if extensions are still allowed.
Q: What if my application is rejected?
A: You’ll need to reapply with correct info. The fee is generally non-refundable even if rejected.