Laos Implements Relaxed Visa Policy to Boost Tourism
Initiative Aims to Attract More International Visitors
The Lao Ministry of Public Security has announced a new relaxed visa policy to attract international tourists under the “Visit Laos 2024” programme. This initiative is expected to unlock significant tourism potential and increase international arrivals.
The new visa regulations include:
- **Visa-Free Travel for Chinese Tourists**: Chinese tourists traveling in groups organized by officially registered and licensed agencies of the Lao Ministry of Tourism can enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days.
- **Visa Exemptions for European Citizens**: Citizens from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and Greece are exempted from visa requirements for their first 15-day visit to Laos.
- **Extended Stay Periods for Multiple-Entry Visas**: Visitors from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK can now stay up to 60 days, an increase from the previous 30-day limit.
- **Increased Stay for Thai Tourists**: Tourists from Thailand traveling in groups with passports and temporary border passes can stay in Laos for up to 10 days, compared to the previous limit of three days. They can visit three provinces adjacent to their original points of arrival.
During the first four months of this year, Laos hosted approximately 1.5 million international tourists, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. Vietnam was noted as the second-largest source market. Laos aims to welcome more than 4.6 million foreign arrivals and generate 1.3 billion USD in tourism revenue this year.
The new visa regulations include:
- **Visa-Free Travel for Chinese Tourists**: Chinese tourists traveling in groups organized by officially registered and licensed agencies of the Lao Ministry of Tourism can enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days.
- **Visa Exemptions for European Citizens**: Citizens from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and Greece are exempted from visa requirements for their first 15-day visit to Laos.
- **Extended Stay Periods for Multiple-Entry Visas**: Visitors from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK can now stay up to 60 days, an increase from the previous 30-day limit.
- **Increased Stay for Thai Tourists**: Tourists from Thailand traveling in groups with passports and temporary border passes can stay in Laos for up to 10 days, compared to the previous limit of three days. They can visit three provinces adjacent to their original points of arrival.
During the first four months of this year, Laos hosted approximately 1.5 million international tourists, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. Vietnam was noted as the second-largest source market. Laos aims to welcome more than 4.6 million foreign arrivals and generate 1.3 billion USD in tourism revenue this year.
