Okay, so I recently decided to get myself a Laos passport. I know, I know, it sounds a bit out there, but hear me out. It’s not as complicated as you might think, especially if you have a buddy who’s already gone through the process. That’s how I got started, actually. My friend, let’s call him Mark, he’s quite the adventurer, and he got his Laos passport a while back. He gave me the rundown, and I figured, why not give it a shot?
First things first, I needed to fill out the application form online. Mark told me about this, and honestly, it was pretty straightforward. I just went to the website, it’s the official one for immigration stuff, you can not miss it. There, I found the form and started putting in my details—name, date of birth, you know, the usual. I also had to upload a photo of myself, like a passport photo, and a scan of my current passport. Nothing too fancy, just make sure it’s clear and recent.
Now, about the money. Mark had already prepared me for this part. The fee for the passport is 60 USD. Yeah, it’s not exactly pocket change, but it’s a standard price, apparently. I paid it online through their system. It was smooth, no hiccups there. They accept a bunch of payment methods, so that wasn’t an issue.

After I submitted everything, I had to wait. The website says it takes about three working days to process everything, as long as you’ve filled out everything correctly and paid the fee. I made sure to double-check all my info before submitting, so I was pretty confident it would go through without a hitch.
Mark had also told me about the benefits of having a Laos passport. Apparently, you can travel to quite a few countries without needing a visa beforehand. Places like Russia, the Philippines, and even some spots in South America. I thought that was pretty cool, especially since I love to travel. It opens up a lot of doors for spontaneous trips.
So, after a few days, I checked my email, and there it was—an email saying my application was approved! I was stoked. I followed the instructions to download and print my eVisa. The actual passport, they said, I had to pick up in person at the embassy. That’s the only part where you actually have to physically go somewhere.
- Filled out the application online
- Uploaded necessary documents
- Paid the fee
- Waited for processing
- Got approved
- Scheduled an appointment at the embassy
I made an appointment at the embassy for the next week. Showed up, presented my documents, and they handed me my new Laos passport. It was all pretty surreal, holding it in my hands. I felt like a real globetrotter. The whole process, from start to finish, was way easier than I expected. And now, I’ve got a whole new list of countries I can visit without the hassle of applying for visas in advance.
If you’re thinking about expanding your travel options, I’d say getting a Laos passport is definitely something to consider. It’s a bit of an investment, but for the freedom it gives you, I think it’s totally worth it. Just follow the steps, make sure you have all your documents in order, and you’re good to go. Happy travels!