In most ports of entry including the Lao
international border crossing points and Lao International Airports (Vientiane,
Luang Prabang, Pakse and Savannakhet) the Visa on Arrival window is located at
the arrival channel (before the immigration window).
Line up at the visa window (don't waste your
time lining up at the immigration window if you don't have the visa yet), get
the visa application form at the window and fill it out (if you arrive by
plane, the form should be given to you before landing). Then hand it in
together with your passport, 2 photographs and the Visa fee to the officer, and
wait to be called.
The visa processing time varies between ports
of entry. At major airports or at Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane it
takes around 10-15 minutes. Delays are possible in late afternoons, weekends
and public holidays at both Visa window and immigration windows at the Lao-Thai
Friendship Bridges.
Step to get
Visa on arrival at Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge#1
It's pretty easy to get the Lao visa on
arrival at the Friendship bridge.
If you arrive by bus, the visa booth is just
a few foot steps from where the bus drops you off. It is the first booth before
the immigration windows.
If you arrive by private car, the visa on
arrival booth is on your left as all private cars are directed to the right
arriving channels.
Windows are numbered so just go in sequential
order 1-2-3.
Step 1: Get Visa application form at window
#1, and fill it out.
Step 2: Return the completed form with 1 or 2
passport type photos and visa fee, plus over time if you arrive outside working
hours, on weekend or Lao public holidays, to the official at window #1 or
window #2 if it is active, and wait to be called.
Remember, the visa fee is best paid in US
dollars. Paying in Thai Baht is more expensive.
No photos? No
problems. If
you don't have photos you will be asked to pay a small fee (few dollars) for
scanning your photograph from your passport, and placing it onto your visa
application form.
Step 3: When you're called, collect your
passport with the visa, at window #3 around the corner.
Usually you will get immigration stamp on
your passport already when you get the visa, so.... no need to stand in line
again at the immigration windows. However, it is a good practice to always
check to make sure everything is in order before leaving.
Note: Tourist Visa holders are prohibited
from obtaining employment in Laos.
