Laos visa requirements for Somali citizens
Somali citizens get a visa on arrival in Laos, for up to 30 days.
SOM
Somalia
LAO
Laos
Visa on arrival
Get a visa when you arrive, if your passport and entry point qualify.
- Visa
- On arrival
- Max stay
- 30 days
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for Somali citizens in Laos
- 18 of the 33 border crossings are only open to regular visa holders. e-Visa may be used to enter Laos through the Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane international airports, 3 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, in Boten (road and railroad), and in Vientiane (at Khamsavath railway station).
- Visa on arrival is available at the Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane international airports, 4 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges and 7 border crossings.
What to do
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo.
Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
Queue at the visa-on-arrival desk before immigration in Laos.
Ways into Laos
Some passports allow visa-free visits; others need a visa.
Visa on arrivalVisa on arrivalGet a visa when you arrive, if your passport and entry point qualify.
Official pageHow to apply
- Confirm your passport qualifies before you travel.
- Check that your entry point gives arrival visas.
Visa requiredEmbassy visitor visaThis is a visa you get through a Lao embassy.
- Processing
- 10 days
Official pageDocuments required
- Passport valid 6 months
Sources (12)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Department of Immigration: visa page; no readable content returned
- Foreign ministry: exemption table dated 22 December 2025; read through indexed official text
- Official Lao electronic visa portal
- Electronic visa information, documents and entry points
- Electronic visa frequently asked questions
- Electronic visa terms and entry conditions
- Electronic visa eligible countries and territories
- Electronic visa fee calculator; no nationality-specific amount retrieved
- Lao embassy, Washington: visa requirements and fees
- Lao embassy, Washington: visa application form
- Lao embassy, Tokyo: visa and arrival visa guidance
- Investment Promotion and Management Committee: visa classes, investor procedures and stay permits
Coming from Somalia
- Plugs A B C E FAdapter for some
- MoneyLAK ₭
- Time+4h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageLao
- Emergency191 police195 ambulance
Planning your Laos trip
Best time to go: November to March is the dry season, with little rain and cooler weather. Mountain nights can reach freezing, and northern Laos can become very hazy towards the end of the dry season.
- Mekong RiverEnjoy river scenery, boat journeys and sunsets along the water.
- Temples in Luang Prabang and VientianeExperience the country's strong Buddhist traditions. Many Luang Prabang temples charge a small entry fee.
- Bolaven PlateauSee coffee-growing country in southern Laos, with waterfalls and scenic stops on the Bolaven Loop.
- Northern limestone landscapesVang Vieng, Nong Khiaw and Mung Ngoi have limestone formations that attract climbers.
Scams to watch for in Laos
- Inflated tuk-tuk fares and fare cardsDrivers quote high tourist prices. Some show a fare card with inflated prices to make the charge look fixed. Drivers waiting outside busy riverside restaurants may refuse a lower fare.
- Airport taxi overcharging and false pickup claimsTaxi touts push an expensive prepaid ride. They also claim that rideshare drivers cannot collect passengers at the airport.
- High bus-ticket markupsTickets bought through hotels or agents can cost much more than tickets bought directly. The extra service may be little more than a tuk-tuk transfer. A markup is not automatically fraud, but it can be poor value if the fee is unclear.
About Laos
Laos is a landlocked Southeast Asian state along the Mekong, bordered by five other countries.
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Money
- Lao kip (₭)
- Languages
- Lao
- Time zone
- UTC+07:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +856
Other Africa passports
Going to Laos
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Laos with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for Somali citizens visiting Laos?
Do somali citizens need a visa for Laos?
Somali citizens get a visa on arrival in Laos, for up to 30 days.
How long can somali citizens stay in Laos?
Up to 30 days each visit with the visa on arrival rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Can I get the Laos visa at the airport?
Yes. Somali citizens get the visa when they land in Laos. Carry cash for the fee, a passport photo, your return ticket and hotel details.
Do laotian citizens need a visa for Somalia?
Laotian citizens need an eVisa for Somalia. Apply on the official website.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Laos?
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso Cape Verde, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Laos are easier for somali citizens?
Malaysia, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Palestine Bangladesh, and 3 more let somali citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Laos?
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo. Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
What money is used in Laos?
Lao kip (₭). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Laos?
Lao.
How strong is the Somalia passport?
It ranks #99 and reaches 29 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck