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Do Lao citizens need a visa for China?
Checked 17 September 2026 against official Chinese sources
Laos passport · ordinary
Yes. Apply for a visa before you fly.
As of 17 September 2026, Laos is not on China's 30-day visa-free list, has no mutual exemption agreement for ordinary passports, and is not among the 57 countries eligible for 240-hour transit.
Your options
- Tourist (L) visa. Apply at a Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese visa application service center in your country. For single and double-entry visas of up to 180 days, fingerprints are currently waived and fees reduced until 31 December 2026.
- 24-hour direct transit. Any nationality can transit through a Chinese airport within 24 hours without a visa, but must stay in the port area.
- ASEAN tour groups. Groups of two or more from ASEAN countries, organised by a travel agency, can visit Guilin (via Guilin airport) or Xishuangbanna visa-free for up to 6 days.
Lists change. Laos could be added to a visa-free or transit list; this page is checked against official announcements and was last checked on 17 September 2026.
Questions people ask
Can Lao citizens use China's 240-hour visa-free transit?
No. As of 17 September 2026, Laos is not among the 57 eligible countries.
Is there any visa-free way for Lao citizens to enter China?
Only 24-hour direct transit, staying in the airport or port area, or an organised ASEAN tour group to Guilin or Xishuangbanna.
Where do Lao citizens apply for a China visa?
At a Chinese embassy or consulate, or a Chinese visa application service center, in the country where you live.
Other passports nearby
SourcesNational Immigration Administration: visa-free policy for 50 countries (17 Feb 2026): https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183390/content.htmlNational Immigration Administration: 240-hour visa-free transit, 57 countries (20 Aug 2026): https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183412/content.htmlMinistry of Foreign Affairs: mutual visa exemption agreements: https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lhqz/lhqzjjs/202510/t20251023_11739051.shtmlChinese Consulate in Barcelona: online arrival card and 2026 measures: https://barcelona.china-consulate.gov.cn/gdxw/202603/t20260330_11883678.htmState Council: ASEAN tour groups visa-free in Xishuangbanna (Feb 2025): https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202502/content_7003054.htmNational Immigration Administration: regional visa-free schemes (20 Aug 2026): https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1699641/content.htmlChecked 17 September 2026