All country guides
- Capital
- Vientiane (VTE)
- Dialing Code
- + 856
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +7
- Language
- Lao
- Best Time to Go
- November – February
- Currency
- Lao Kip (LAK)
Travel Tips
- Many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and English are spoken.
- USD and Thai Baht are also accepted and many larger transactions use these currencies instead of Kip.
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised.
- It is strongly recommended that comprehensive travel and health insurance be obtained which would include emergency air evacuation by a recognised carrier. Prospective travellers should check with their insurer make sure that their policy meets their needs.
- Lao is a predominantly Buddhist country and respect to religious beliefs should be shown. Lao people should not be touched on the head, and women should not touch monks. Dress should be conservative. When visiting a mosque, short skirts, skimpy shorts and sleeveless shirts should be avoided. Shoes should be removed when entering a Wat (Temple) or home.
- Identification should be carried at all times and fines for non-compliance will be issued.
Last updated 29 September 2026
Visa Guide
Public Holidays
2026:
Jan 1; Mar 8-9; Apr 14-16; May 1; Jul 20; Dec 2
Visa Requirements
South African passport holders do require a visa to enter Laos.
Visa applications can be done online at www.laoevisa.gov.la if entering through one of the below ports. eVisa is currently available for Tourist Visa (T-B3) only, for stays of up to 30 days.
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital)
- Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane Capital)
- Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang)
- Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province)
- Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province)
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province)
- Boten International Checkpoint (Luang Namtha Province)
- Boten Railway Station (Luang Namtha Province)
- Khamsavath Railway Station (Vientiane Capital)
Documents required:
- Photograph size 4x6 cm (have been taken no longer than 6 months).
- Passport cover page.
- Passport bio page.
Note: Please upload the photo of your passport that covers the whole bio page including its MRZ (two lines at the bottom of the page)
Visa Processing Time
Usually 3 working days
Visa Cost
USD 50.
eVisa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Entry Requirements
- Passport must be valid for more than 180 days from the date of arrival, with 1 blank page
- Proof of sufficient funds
- A print out of your e-visa is required. This may be in black and white.
- There will be a special lane for eVisa service at the arrival ports.
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
South African Representative Abroad
Representation accredited from Bangkok, Thailand