Most Laos visa types (except for Transit
Visa) are extendable. Once in Laos you can get your Laos visa extended.
If you find your visa is about to expire and
you wish to stay longer in Laos, don’t worry, it is possible to get all types
of Laos visa (except for a Transit Visa), extended at the immigration office in
Vientiane. It costs US$2 per day if you apply before the expiry date. However,
if you leave it until your visa expires you will be fined for US$10 per day for
the days you over stayed.
How many times or how long you can get your
visa extended for depends on the type of visa you have.
Here are options you can get your Laos visa
extended.
Do it yourself
at Laos Immigration Office:
If you are in Vientiane, your Laos Visa
extension can be done at the Immigration Office behind the Joint Development
Bank (JDB) on Lane Xang Avenue, opposite the Morning Market (see map below).
The office is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00-16:00 (closed 12:00 to 13:00 at
lunchtime). The office is close for applications on Friday afternoon.
Requirements
for getting Laos visa extension by yourself at Laos Immigration Office
Your passport
One passport type photo
Service fee of US$3
Application fee of 2,000 kip (US$0.25) per
person
Visa extension fee: $2 per day (normal) or US$10
per day (for overstayed days)
Lao expatriates age 65 years and over are
exempted from Laos visa extension fee.
The process is straight forward, just fill
out the application form then submit together with your passport and pay fees.
In normal circumstances your visa is usually ready the same day.
If you only plan to stay for a few more days
this option could work out best.
Note: If for some reasons you can't make an
effort getting to the immigration office to get your visa extended but want to
stay a few more days, then you might as well just stay as long as you prepare
to pay the fine (US$10 per day). This fine will be collected on your departure.
However, be advised that this might not be a
good idea if you plan to exit Laos at border check points other than Lao-Thai
Friendship Bridge in Vientiane, and main airports as you might risk being taken
advantage of by some not-so honest officials when it comes to paying the fine.
Exit the country and enter again (Visa Run).
This is most suitable option for holders of a tourist visa who wish to stay for
more than a few more days.
If you are in Vientiane or Savannakhet or
other provinces close to international border crossing points, you can cross
the border to one of the neighbor countries then return and get a Lao visa on
arrival at the checkpoint.
If you
are in Vientiane it is very easy, you can take a public bus (around 5,000 kip)
to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge. Complete the immigration procedures on the
Lao side; then take the shuttle bus (4,000 kip or 15 baht) to the Thai
immigration point and enter Thailand. If you want to come straight back into
Laos you simply have to cross the road to the Thai immigration to exit the
country. Once again, get the shuttle bus and then arrive at the Lao side, where
you can apply for a Laos Visa on Arrival.
• Your passport must have at least 6 months
of remaining validity and a blank page for a visa stamp and don’t forget to
take enough cash (US dollars) for the visa fee (see visa fee list) and two
passport sized photos.
• This option can work out cheaper than $2
per day if you plan to stay for more than 20 more days.
Laos visa
extension through a Travel Agent or a Specialist Provider:
Get a travel agent or specialist provider to
do your Laos Visa Extension for you.
Most travel agents can arrange a Laos Visa
Extension for you with small overhead fee. This varies between providers, so
shop around for the best deal.
This option is better for those holding visas
other than tourist visas, because it involves more paper work and it's more
complicated and would take you more time and money if you did it yourself.
I would also recommend this option to holders
of tourist visas who plan to travel in provinces other than Vientiane Capital
where there are no immigration offices and the visa run (exit the country and
enter again) option is not possible.
