One important thing to consider when planning your trip to Southeast Asia is which countries require a visa for entry.

Requirements differ for different countries and also which country you hold a passport from. It’s important to keep in mind that most countries require a passport validity of six months remaining, so be sure to check the expiration date on your passport before embarking.

Some countries offer a visa exemption for travelers of certain nationalities, allowing visitors to enter for a maximum number of days with just an entry stamp from the immigration officer. The following is a summary of visa requirements for Southeast Asia, by country.

Specific Visa Requirements for Southeast Asia Countries

Thailand and Singapore

Thailand and Singapore both offer a visa exemption for those entering for tourism from 48 nations. Visitors can stay for up to 30 days under this exemption. The official list can be found here for Thailand. For Singapore, here is a list of nationalities who DO need a visa to enter. All other nationalities can enter for up to 30 days with an entry stamp placed in the passport upon arrival.

Malaysia

Malaysia is quite generous in offering tourist visa exemptions for visitors from several nations. In fact, not many nationalities require a visa for tourism purposes.

Visitors from 58 nations, including all European Union states, the United States, Canada, and Australia, for example, can enter Malaysia for up to 90 days with just an entry stamp in their passport. Tourists from an additional 99 countries can enter for up to 30 days.

Cambodia

Cambodia does require a visa for all nationalities except for Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. 

Cambodia makes it very easy to obtain a visa, however. You can apply online for an “e-visa,” which is quick and easy to do. The cost is US$37 ($30 for the visa plus $7 processing fee) . The e-visa is for a single entry only and is valid for 30 days after entry. Please note there are restrictions as to which ports of entry you can use to enter Cambodia.

You can go to their website for information and to apply. You can pay online via credit card. You will receive an email with your e-visa attached, which you must print out on a color printer.

Note: Please be aware that there are several fraudulent organizations with websites offering an e-visa for Cambodia. I would highly recommend only using the official Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for getting your e-visa. See link above.

Alternatively, it’s even easier to just get a “visa on arrival” if you are entering Cambodia from neighboring countries. Here is a list of crossing points

Thailand –> Cambodia:
1- O’smach (Oddar Meanchay Province)
2- Poipet (Beantey MeanChay Province)
3-Prom (Pailin City)
4-Daung (Battambang Province)
5-Chorm (Oddormeanchey)
6-Cham Yeam (Koh Kong Province) 

Vietnam–> Cambodia:
1-Bavet (Svay Rieng Province)
2-Kaom Samnor(Kandal Province)
3-Phnom Den(Takeo Province)
4-Trapaing Sre(Kratie Province)
5-Tropaing Phlong (Kampong Cham Province)

Laos –> Cambodia:
PDR: Dong Kralor( Steung Treng Province)

The cost for a visa upon arrival is US$20, Please note that only US dollars are accepted. Many bus companies offering transport to Cambodia will provide visa service for you. An attendant will take your passport and collect $20 (plus a processing fee of about $5) from you at the start of the journey and when you arrive at the border, all the paperwork will have been completed for you. It’s easy!

Vietnam

Vietnam also requires a visa for entry from all nationalities, except as follows:

  1. Stays of not more than 30 days: citizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos.
  2. Stays of not more than 21 days: citizens of Phillippines.
  3. Stays of not more than 15 days: citizens of Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Russian Federation.
  4. Stays of not more than 14 days: citizens of Brunei.

UPDATE: As of July 1, 2015, in addition to the above, nationals from the following countries can enter Vietnam: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. As of this writing, it is not certain for how long this policy will be in effect.

You can apply for a Vietnam tourist visa online here (Vietnam Embassy in the US official site).

You CAN get a visa of arrival for Vietnam, but I personally do not recommend it. Unfortunately, unlike Cambodia, Vietnam does not make it easy. You CANNOT just arrive in Vietnam and expect to get a VOA. You must either have a letter of invitation from a recognized organization or tour company, or use an agent, and, though some are reputable, you are always subject to scams.

If there is a problem with you letter, you could be detained on the wrong side of the immigration counter for hours while the issue is resolved.

Also, I have flown into the Tan Son Nhat airport (Saigon’s primary airport) many times and have seen the chaotic scene at the VOA counter. I have usually been thankful that it’s not me standing in that line! I would say at most times it would take up to two hours to get served, far longer than I want to stand around waiting for a visa when I first arrive in a country.

To me, I just think it’s easier to go through the Vietnamese embassy in your home country to get a visa, OR, if you are already in another country, to just go to the embassy or consulate there. It’s quick, relatively painless, and safe!

Myanmar (Burma)

Obtaining a tourist visa for Myanmar (also unofficially called Burma) is also required but is likewise available as an e-visa. You can apply online, as you can for Cambodia.

The cost for a Myanmar tourist visa online is US$50 and is valid for 28 days from the time of entry. It takes up to five working days to process your request so plan early! You can click here to apply for your e-visa.

I highly recommend the e-visa option, as getting a visa on arrival is very restrictive. Basically, you can only get a VOA, valid for 28 days, if you are arriving specifically at Yangon International Airport on Myanmar Airways International from Siem Reap, Guangzhou or Phnom Penh. Too specific!

Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)

All visitors must have a visa to enter Laos for tourist purposes, with the following exceptions: nationals of all ASEAN countries, Korea, Switzerland, Russia, and Japan.

Visas Obtained Prior to Your Trip

Prior to your departure for Laos, you can visit a Lao embassy or consulate in almost every Southeast nation’s major cities to obtain your Laos visa. The fees, accurate as of June 2015, are:

US Citizens: US$50
Canadians: US$57
All others: Between $30 and US$40

Please note that this information changes often. It takes about two or three business days to get your visa, so be sure to plan ahead. “Tipping” about US$5 may get you moved to the head of the line, reducing the time to as little as one hour! But I would not recommend counting on this as an absolute.

Laos Visas-on-Arrival

You can also get a visa-on-arrival if you enter Laos through the airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, as well as at Pakse and at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in the north. Currently, tourists cannot enter Laos from anywhere in Myanmar.

Tourist visas-on-arrival can be obtained for 30 days.

The immigration officers will ask for two passport-sized photos, but if you don’t have any, they can scan your passport photo for an additional US$1 – 2.

Fees for visas-on-arrival run about US$35 for nationals of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Italy; US$42 for Canadians; US$ 30 for Australians; US$31 for Swedes, and US$30 for all others.

Only US dollars are accepted for visa fees.