LaosFrench Polynesia: Visa required

LaosFrench Polynesia

Do Laos passport holders need a visa for French Polynesia?

Visa required

Yes. Laos passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to French Polynesia.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: en.wikipedia.org (checked September 4, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance12,485 km, straight line (~15h 11m nonstop)

Visa-free access to French Polynesia126 of 243 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? France passport holders visiting Laos: Visa on arrival.

Visa-free alternatives near French Polynesia

Laos passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Laos passport holders

See all Laos destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Laos passport holders need a visa for French Polynesia?

Yes. Laos passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to French Polynesia.

How far is French Polynesia from Laos?

About 12,485 km in a straight line, roughly ~15h 11m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in French Polynesia?

CFP franc (XPF).

What is the emergency number in French Polynesia?

112.

What time zone is French Polynesia in?

Tahiti (UTC-10).

What is the nearest airport to Papeete?

Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT), about 4 km away.

How many countries can enter French Polynesia without a visa?

126 of the 243 nationalities this site tracks can enter French Polynesia visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Laos passport holders visit without a visa instead of French Polynesia?

Samoa, Tuvalu, Micronesia.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Laos

Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is a country in Mainland Southeast Asia, and the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. Laos has a population of more than 7.5 million, and its capital and most populous city is Vientiane. It has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the town of Luang Prabang, the temple complex of Vat Phou, and the Plain of Jars. Laos participates in the Greater Mekong Subregion economic cooperation programme and is a member of ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, East Asia Summit, La Francophonie, and the World Trade Organization.

CapitalVientiane

RegionSouth-Eastern Asia

Population7.9M

Area236,800 km²

CurrencyLao kip (1 USD ≈ 22329.65 LAK)

LanguagesLao

Calling code+856

Drives on theright

TimezoneVientiane (UTC+7)

Nearest airportWattay International Airport (VTE), 78 km

Emergency number190 / 191 / 195

UNESCO sites4

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$2,325 (2025)

Tourist arrivals886.4K (2020)

Climate in Vientiane

Warmest May, coolest December, driest December, sunniest January. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, October, November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Vientiane, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	28.4°C	17.9°C	4mm	332h
February	29.8°C	17.7°C	2mm	317h
March	32°C	21.1°C	135mm	315h
April	32.2°C	22.1°C	82mm	291h
May	34.8°C	24.4°C	177mm	315h
June	30.2°C	23.3°C	382mm	266h
July	30.7°C	23.3°C	395mm	288h
August	28.7°C	23.1°C	581mm	177h
September	29.6°C	23°C	384mm	240h
October	28°C	21.4°C	136mm	241h
November	29.3°C	19.7°C	5mm	304h
December	26.9°C	15.5°C	1mm	317h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. Laos is rich in both the diversity of its people and its landscapes.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Champasak cultural landscape
Hin Nam No National Protected Area
Luang Prabang
Plain of Jars

Full source list on About.

About French Polynesia

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole overseas country; it is classified as a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations. It comprises 121 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) in the South Pacific Ocean. French Polynesia is associated with the European Union as an overseas country and territory (OCT). The total land area of French Polynesia is 3,521 square kilometres (1,359 sq mi), with a population of 282,596 as of September 2025 of which at least 205,000 live in the Society Islands and the remaining population lives in the rest of the archipelago.

CapitalPapeete

RegionPolynesia

Population282.5K

Area4,167 km²

CurrencyCFP franc (1 USD ≈ 106.31 XPF)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+689

Drives on theright

TimezoneTahiti (UTC-10)

Nearest airportFa'a'ā International Airport (PPT), 4 km

Emergency number112

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$22,440 (2024)

Tourist arrivals89.4K (2020)

Climate in Papeete

Warmest April, coolest July, driest September, sunniest September. Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Monthly climate normals for Papeete, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	28.4°C	24.9°C	386mm	322h
February	28.3°C	24.9°C	530mm	297h
March	29.1°C	25.4°C	323mm	300h
April	29.1°C	25.5°C	176mm	309h
May	28.5°C	25.1°C	155mm	303h
June	26.9°C	23.4°C	216mm	274h
July	26.2°C	23.1°C	294mm	285h
August	26.4°C	22.8°C	194mm	327h
September	27.3°C	23.3°C	83mm	350h
October	26.9°C	23.5°C	254mm	340h
November	27.3°C	24.1°C	383mm	313h
December	27.3°C	24°C	449mm	275h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

French Polynesia is a collection of over 100 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, halfway between California and Australia. It is an overseas country, the only French territory with this status.

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 11, 2026Armistice

November 20, 2026Matari'i

Full source list on About.