Laos visa photo rules from the Lao MOFA eVisa portal
Laos visa photos are governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, which runs the official eVisa portal at laoevisa.gov.la, and by the Department of Immigration, which processes Visa on Arrival at designated entry points. The published standard is a 40 by 60 mm color photograph taken within the last six months, with a plain white background, a neutral expression, and a full-face frontal pose. The portal describes this as an ICAO standard photograph and applies the same rule to every applicant, including infants and children.
Submission channels are split. The Tourist eVisa (T-B3) accepts a digital upload of up to 2 MB in JPEG or PNG. Visa on Arrival and most embassy and consulate submissions ask for printed photos attached to a paper form, with two prints typical at embassy counters. Laos does not currently use a third-party visa application centre for general processing, so applicants deal directly with the Lao government or its missions.
Enforcement is strict on the published rules. A photo that breaks the neutral pose, shows shadows, or fails the recency requirement can lead to an eVisa application being rejected or held for resubmission, and an embassy counter will simply return the file until a compliant print is supplied. Border officers at Visa on Arrival posts are more lenient on size but still require a usable photograph, and will scan the passport photo for a small fee if none is presented.
What the Lao eVisa portal expects in your photo
The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes a short list of subject-side rules on laoevisa.gov.la. They cover your expression, eyewear, hair, headwear, and clothing.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe Lao eVisa FAQ requires a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, and visible teeth are not accepted.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be fully open and clearly visible. Squinting or partially closed eyes will cause the application to be rejected.
- Full-face frontal poseFace the camera squarely with your head level. Tilted, rotated, three-quarter, and profile views are not accepted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Eyewear & lenses
- Clear prescription glassesGlasses are not explicitly prohibited by laoevisa.gov.la, but lenses must be clear, free of glare, and must not obscure the eyes. Removing glasses is the safest choice.
- Tinted lenses and sunglassesSunglasses and tinted or coloured lenses are not accepted under any circumstances.
Hair & facial features
- Hair off the faceHair must not cover the eyes or eyebrows. Pin or tuck long fringes back so the full face is visible.
- Chin to forehead visibleThe face must be unobstructed from chin to forehead. Nothing in the frame may hide facial features.
Headwear
- Religious or medical onlyHats and head coverings are accepted only when worn for religious or medical reasons. The full face from chin to forehead must remain visible and no shadows may fall across it.
- Everyday hats and capsFashion hats, caps, beanies, and hoods are not permitted in the photo.
Cosmetics & accessories
- Natural appearanceHeavy makeup and accessories that alter your everyday appearance should be avoided. The photo must show you as a Lao immigration officer would recognise you in person.
- Photo recencyThe photo must have been taken within the last six months. Older images are rejected by the eVisa portal and by Lao embassies.
Clothing
- Contrast with the backgroundClothing must contrast with the plain white background required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Avoid white, cream, and very pale tops.
- Everyday attireUniforms are not accepted unless they are religious dress. Standard everyday clothing is expected.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 34 mm and 38 mm (roughly 57–63% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 31 mm and 37 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
Laos accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Laos publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
Laos Visa 40×60 mm
Primary · Print + DigitalLaos's official format — the same file works for both printed in-person submissions and the online portal upload.
Laos Visa 30×40 mm
Print + DigitalAlternate accepted size — works as both an in-person print and an online-portal upload.
Laos Visa 2×2 in
Print + DigitalUS-style 2×2 in size used by US-based consulates and visa agencies.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Other things to know.
A few things about Lao visa photos work differently from the global default.
Every applicant needs their own photo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires a visa and a photo for every applicant, including infants and children. There are no relaxed rules for babies, and no shared family submissions.
Washington D.C. embassy size exception
The Lao Embassy in Washington D.C. asks for two 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) prints instead of the standard 40x60 mm. If you are filing through that mission, select the square format when ordering prints.
Visa on Arrival is lenient
Officers at the nine designated Visa on Arrival entry points routinely accept minor deviations from 40x60 mm. If you arrive without a print, they can scan the photo page of your passport for a small fee, typically one to two US dollars.
eVisa covers tourist visas only
The laoevisa.gov.la portal currently issues only the Tourist Visa (T-B3). Business, work, student, media, and transit applicants must go through a Lao embassy or consulate, where two prints are usually required rather than one digital upload.
Take your Laos visa photo at home in three steps.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 300 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.