Laos
Warnings and insurance
Summary
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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to partsXaisomboun ofprovince, Laos.due to intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups. See Local travel
TheBefore Foreign,you Commonwealthtravel, &check Developmentthe Office‘Entry (FCDO)requirements’ providessection advicefor aboutLaos’ riskscurrent ofentry travelrestrictions toand helprequirements. BritishThese nationalsmay makechange informedwith decisions.little Findwarning. outMonitor morethis aboutadvice FCDOfor travelthe advice.
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Xaisomboun Province
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NoYou travelshould can be guaranteedaware safe.of Readelevated allrisks theof adviceflooding inand landslides during this guideperiod, asparticularly wellif travelling by road as supportmaintenance forand Britishrepair nationalsstandards abroaddiffer whichto includes:the UK, you should take additional care and undertake research. See Natural disasters
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- information
danger. forTake women,care LGBT+when andtravelling disabledaround travellers
Laos. See Local travel
FollowAlthough andthere’s contactno FCDOrecent travelhistory onof Twitter,terrorism Facebookin Laos, attacks cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
Carry an ID document or passport at all times. You will receive a heavy fine if you do not present ID on request. See Local laws and Instagramcustoms.
If Youyou’re canliving alsoin signLaos upor planning to getwork emailor notificationsstay for a longer period, check the Living in Laos guide whenin thisaddition adviceto isthis updated.travel advice.
Travel insurance
If you’re abroad and you chooseneed toemergency travel,help researchfrom yourthe destinationsUK andgovernment, getcontact appropriatethe travelnearest insuranceBritish embassy, consulate or high commission. InsuranceConsular shouldsupport coveris yourlimited itinerary,in plannedparts activitiesof andLaos expenseswhere inwe anadvise emergency.against all but essential travel.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to partsXaisomboun ofprovince, Laos.due to intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups. See Local travel
TheBefore Foreign,you Commonwealthtravel, &check Developmentthe Office‘Entry (FCDO)requirements’ providessection advicefor aboutLaos’ riskscurrent ofentry travelrestrictions toand helprequirements. BritishThese nationalsmay makechange informedwith decisions.little Findwarning. outMonitor morethis aboutadvice FCDOfor travelthe advice.
Areaslatest whereupdates FCDOand advisesstay againstin allcontact butwith essentialyour travel
YourIf travelyou insuranceplan couldto bepass invalidatedthrough ifanother youcountry travelto againstreturn FCDOto advice.the ConsularUK, supportcheck isthe alsotravel severelyadvice limitedfor wherethe FCDOcountry advisesyou’re against travel.transiting.
Xaisomboun Province
FCDOIt advisesis againstmore allimportant butthan essentialever to get travel toinsurance Xaisombounand Province.check Thereit areprovides intermittentsufficient attackscover. onSee infrastructurethe andFCDO armedguidance clasheson withforeign anti-governmenttravel groups.insurance.
FindThe outmonsoon moreseason aboutin whyLaos FCDOruns advisesfrom againstMay travel.
Beforeto youOctober. travel
NoYou travelshould can be guaranteedaware safe.of Readelevated allrisks theof adviceflooding inand landslides during this guideperiod, asparticularly wellif travelling by road as supportmaintenance forand Britishrepair nationalsstandards abroaddiffer whichto includes:the UK, you should take additional care and undertake research. See Natural disasters
- advice
Unexplodedonordnancepreparinginforruraltravelareasabroadisarealongoingrisks - information
danger.forTakewomen,careLGBT+whenandtravellingdisabledaroundtravellers
FollowAlthough andthere’s contactno FCDOrecent travelhistory onof Twitter,terrorism Facebookin Laos, attacks cannot be ruled out. See Terrorism
Carry an ID document or passport at all times. You will receive a heavy fine if you do not present ID on request. See Local laws and Instagramcustoms.
If Youyou’re canliving alsoin signLaos upor planning to getwork emailor notificationsstay for a longer period, check the Living in Laos guide whenin thisaddition adviceto isthis updated.travel advice.
Travel insurance
If you’re abroad and you chooseneed toemergency travel,help researchfrom yourthe destinationsUK andgovernment, getcontact appropriatethe travelnearest insuranceBritish embassy, consulate or high commission. InsuranceConsular shouldsupport coveris yourlimited itinerary,in plannedparts activitiesof andLaos expenseswhere inwe anadvise emergency.against all but essential travel.
Update history
2025-01-07 14:48
Information on Laos visas reverting to 30 days (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-11-29 11:33
New information that Laos authorities have issued an order prohibiting the sale and consumption of Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-20 10:12
Updated information on methanol poisoning risks (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-10-31 09:46
Updated information on visa extensions and outdoor activities and adventure tourism (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-24 11:08
Updated information about monsoon season (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-23 11:16
Updated information about monsoon season (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-20 11:05
Updated information on tropical storms (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-30 15:28
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-06-28 15:59
Information that from 1 July to 31 December visas on arrival and eVisas will be valid for 60 days and that multiple entry 60-day visas will only be available from the Lao embassy before you depart for Laos (see ‘Temporary tourist visa changes’ on the ‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-06-03 16:32
Information that there will be traffic delays and a higher police presence in Vientiane and Laos throughout the year due to Laos hosting the ASEAN chair (See ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-14 15:55
Information on the visa extension penalty if not renewed within 90 days and that the use of E-cigarettes is illegal (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-04-03 16:38
Removal of information on Covid-19 rules and updated information on visa on arrival (‘Entry requirements’ page). Addition of information about anthrax (‘Health’ page).
2023-09-01 14:37
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:40
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-02-24 11:27
Updated information on land border crossings for foreign travellers (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-02-15 13:53
Updated information on land border crossings for foreign travellers (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-02-01 12:20
Updated information on unvaccinated Covid-19 travellers (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-12-16 11:01
Updated information on exercising caution in Bokeo Province (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-23 10:17
Updated information on E-visas and addition of information to exercise caution in Bokeo Province (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-21 11:43
Reference to read the Living in Laos guide if plan to stay in Laos longer or work in Laos. (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-03 11:16
Updated information on crime and drugs (‘Safety & Security page’) and visiting temples (‘Local laws and customs’ page).
2022-08-10 11:02
Updated information on flights (Return to the UK page), visa on arrival (Entry requirements page)
2022-07-06 11:22
Updated information on drink spiking (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-07-01 10:34
Updated information on Dengue and COVID-19 measures (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Health’ pages)
2022-06-13 11:12
Updated information on travel restrictions and COVID-19 measures (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-05-09 11:26
Updated information following relaxation to travel restrictions and COVID-19 measures from 9 May (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-03-18 16:36
Updated information on entry requirements to Laos (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-04 17:07
Updated information on quarantine requirements for entry to Laos (‘Entry requirements’ page)