Laos relaxes visa requirements for China, European countries

Visa-free travel for 15 days is provided for Chinese tourists traveling in groups organized by agencies that have officially registered and licensed by the Lao Ministry of Tourism.

Citizens from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Spain and Greece are exempted from visa requirements for their first 15-day visit to Laos.

The country lengthens the stay period of a multiple-entry visa from 30 days to 60 days for those from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K.

As for tourists from Thailand traveling in groups with passports and temporary border passes, they are allowed to stay in Laos for up to 10 days, longer than the previous time limit of three days. Besides, they can visit three provinces adjacent to their original points of arrival.

During January – April, Laos hosted some 1.5 million international tourists, up 35% year-on-year.

The country expects to welcome more than 4.6 million foreign arrivals this year, and gain US$1.3 billion in tourism revenue.