Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 7:28 pm Post subject: Laos Visa Information
A passport and visa are required. Visas are issued upon arrival in Laos to foreign tourists
and business persons with two passport size photographs and $30 at Wattay Airport, Vientiane; Friendship Bridge,
Vientiane; and Luang Prabang Airport. Visas on Arrival are not available at the Chong Mek border crossing. Foreign
tourists are generally admitted to Laos for 15 days with a visa on arrival or for 30 days with a visa issued at a Lao
embassy. The Department of Immigration in Vientiane will only extend tourist visas for one day. It is sometimes possible
to get an extension for an additional 15 days by submitting an application through a tour agency. Foreigners who
overstay in Laos risk arrest, and they will be fined $5 for each day upon departure.
Foreign tourists planning on entering Laos at any international checkpoint where Visas on Arrival are not available must
obtain a visa in advance.
Immigration offices at some of the less used border-crossing points are net well marked. Travelers should make sure that
they complete immigration and customs formalities when they enter Laos. Travelers who enter Laos without completing
these formalities may be subject to fine, detention, imprisonment, and/or deportation.
VISA NOTES
A Laos TOURIST visa is usually issued for a SINGLE entry within
three months from the date of issue for a period of stay not to exceed
30 days. The visa may be extended in Laos for a further 15 days.
A Laos BUSINESS visa is usually issued for a SINGLE entry within
three months from the date of issue for a period of stay not to exceed
30 days. The visa may be extended in Laos for a further 30 days.
A multi-entry business visa can only be issued after a business joint-
venture has been established. Higher consular fees apply.
Passport must have at least six months validity remaining, and one
blank visa page in order for the visa to be issued. TDS can assist
with expediting U.S. Passports whether new issue, renewal, and
adding visa pages.
Frequently asked questions:
Q. Do I need to get a visa before visiting Laos?
A. Not if you enter via the Friendship Bridge, Wattay (Vientiane) International Airport or Luang Prabang International Airport. You can also get a visa at Ban Muang Kao / Chong Mek
Q. I have heard that it is cheaper to get a Lao visa in Bangkok - how do I do this?
A. The cost of a visa in Bangkok is about $10 cheaper in Bangkok - but by the time you get to our embassy (which is situated right out of town) and back, and then return to pick up your visa, you will have wasted a lot of time and money. The cheapest, fastest and easiest option is to get a visa on arrival at Vientiane Airport, Luang Prabang Airport or at the Friendship bridge.
Q. I heard that you can get Visa on Arrival at the border with Thailand at Chong Mek - is this true.
A. There was a time when you could do this, but this is no longer the case.
Q. How long is a tourist visa valid for?
A. 14 days, but you may extend it for $US3 a day, at any travel agent in in Vientiane.
Great info by the way! Someone was trying to tell me yesteday that I need to be part of a tour or have a letter (or something like that) to get from Thailand to Laos across the friendship bridge. Sounds like bull**** to me. Does anyone know for sure?
And I think visitors from other ASEAN countries do not need a visa at all, if they are staying less than 30 days. _________________ Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely!
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