Laos
Warnings and insurance
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Laos.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.
Xaisomboun Province
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. There are intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:
- advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
- information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Update history
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)