A GUIDE TO LAO' S VISAS

I. CATEGORIES OF VISA

II. VISA AND IDENTITY CARD APPLICATION PROCEDURES.

1. Diplomats, Consuls, Heads of International Agencies and their dependents (spouses and children) holding diplomatic or official passports and whose assignments in the Lao PDR, which performance would exceed thirty (30) days, have been approved, will be required to apply for visas from Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR according to procedures provided under bilateral agreements. Upon their entry to the Lao PDR, the relevant foreign agency shall apply for identity card and multiple entry visas from the Protocol Department and the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively.

2. Foreign experts of different categories and volunteers, together with their dependents, holding official or normal passports whose assignments in the Lao PDR, which performance would exceed thirty (30) days, have been approved, are required to obtain visas from Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR. Upon their entry, the international organization or Lao line agency concerned shall apply for identity cards and multiple entry visas from the relevant departments.

3. Diplomats, staff members of Consulates and International Agencies, foreign experts and volunteers entering the Lao PDR under visit visas (B3) without going through the requisite procedures will not benefit from facilities in performing their. In order to perform their assignments, they will be required to leave the territory of the Lao PDR for the purpose of obtaining the required visa categories from Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR before re-entering the country.

4. Diplomats, staff members of Consulates and International Agencies, foreign experts and volunteers based abroad and whose assignments, which performance would require a timeframe not exceeding thirty (30) days, have been approved, may obtain a fifteen (15) days visa upon arrival to Wattay International Airport or Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Municipality, as well as at the Luang Prabang International Airport.

5. Diplomats, consular officers, staff members of the International Agencies, foreign experts and volunteers performing assignments in the Lao PDR may invite parents, relatives and friends for visits in the Lao PDR for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. Such period of time maybe extended twice under B3 visas.

6. Diplomatic missions, General Consulates, International Agencies and non-governmental organizations to the Lao PDR will not be authorized to recruit foreign experts or volunteers who have completed their assignments under a project and seeking further employment under other projects at will without due process in line with the procedures or regulations outlined by the Lao authorities.

TWO CATEGORIES OF INTERNATIONAL CHECK POINTS IN LAO PDR.

        Those International Check Points are allowed to the Lao citizens, overseas, foreigners citizens who holding passport in accordance with its stem visas are given by Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR at broad for entry and exit the country.
        The first categories of the International Check Points can be able facilities for travelers who already have had stem visas only, But they have no full right to obtain the visas upon arrival the check points consists of 11 the International Check Points as below:

1. Houayxay (Lao) - Xiengkhong (Thai)
2. Thakhek  (Lao) - Nakhonphanom (Thai)
3. Savannakhet (Lao) - Mukdahan (Thai)
4. Vangtao (Lao) - Xongmek (Thai)
5. Namphao (Lao) - Cautreo (Vietnam)
6. Densavanh (Lao) - Laobao (Vietnam)
7. Naphao (Lao) - Chalo (Vietnam)
8. Boten (Lao) - Bohane (China)

9. Namkane (Lao) - Namekane (Vietnam)

10. Namsoue (Lao) - Nameo (Vietnam)

11. Parksane (Lao) - Beungkane (Thai)

THE SECOND CATEGORIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHECK POINTS:

        Those International Check Points are allowed to the Lao citizens, overseas, foreigners citizens who holding passport in accordance with its stem visas are given by Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Embassies or General Consulates of the Lao PDR at broad for entry and exit the country.
        Besides, the second categories of the International Check Points have had full right to obtain the visas upon arrival (visa fee 30 US$) at the three International Check Points as below:

1. Wattay International Airport.
2. Louang Prabang International Airport.
3. Friendship Bridge

 LIST OF COUNTRIES WITH WHICH
THE LAO PDR HAS SIGNED VISA EXEMPTION
AGREEMENTS:

 CONCLUSION:

        The signing of the Agreements on visa exemption between the Lao People Democratic Republic and other friendly countries have established the Turning point of the history in their relations and cooperation in all fields, and especially in consular Affairs. The agreements have played an important key role in the cause of the safeguarding and construction of Lao not only in the present time but also for the future.

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.

GET A LAOS VISA FROM VIETNAM