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Visa for Laos required of i just want to do a border run?

csaba81
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csaba81 Senior Member

csaba81

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Laos seems to be the only practical option (I'm in Chiang Mai) at the moment for a border run. When doing border runs in the past to Myanmar, i just needed my passport and 500 Baht - walk in and out in 5 minutes. Any extra complications like a Visa required to do this in Laos?

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Lazybones Senior Member

Lazybones

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17 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

For entry to Laos you will need to get a visa on arrival that is available on the Lao side of the crossing. Cost is about $40 or the equivalent in Baht.

And takes up a full page in your passport

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Andrew65 Gold Member

Andrew65

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18 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

For entry to Laos you will need to get a visa on arrival that is available on the Lao side of the crossing. Cost is about $40 or the equivalent in Baht.

Having done this myself I would advise making sure you have $US for the Laos visa fee, if you pay in Baht you get a really bad exchange rate, I think it was about $3 to the bad the last time I did it at Non Khai.

(I know many less well-off expats are counting the pennies).

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Haveasay Senior Member

Haveasay

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I've just returned from Laos border. Chose a few nights stay in Udon. Used the train early morning 7am, about 11 baht. I paid Australia dollars online for Evisa $70 odd. Plus 100 baht at window. The visa went on any page covering old visa stamps. I did request on a blank page but away from rear of passport. Satisfied I did keep get asking where in Laos I was staying but said, returning to Thailand today didn't seem to be an issue and from Nong back to Nong took an hour. Mini buses leave to Udon as you walk away from immigration, on the left 55 baht to Udon bus station.

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BritTim Diamond Member

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3 hours ago, transam said:

I think for Brits it is still $35 or 1500 bht for the Laos visa.

Here is a report from the Laotian Times dated May 22:

 https://laotiantimes.com/2022/05/25/laos-announces-updated-tourist-visa-fees/

 

Quote

A notice issued by the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, last week provides an update on the latest visa-on-arrival fees for tourists of different origins.

 

Visas provided on arrival for foreign nationals from all nationalities will be charged USD 40, except for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, when applying for a tourist visa at an international checkpoint, according to the notice.

 

Chinese or Vietnamese citizens applying for a visa on arrival to Laos will be charged only USD 20.

I am unsure what they charge to pay in baht, but I believe the exchange rate is as horrible as ever if you choose to do so.

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ubonjoe Legendary Member

ubonjoe

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11 minutes ago, transam said:

Could well be, I read this page...

https://visaguide.world/asia/laos-visa/

That site appears to be out of date. It still shows the old visa on arrival fees.

"The Laos visa fee is USD 30 to USD 45, depending on your nationality."

The news article posted states this.

"Visas provided on arrival for foreign nationals from all nationalities will be charged USD 40, except for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, when applying for a tourist visa at an international checkpoint, according to the notice."

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transam Star Member

transam

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6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That site appears to be out of date. It still shows the old visa on arrival fees.

"The Laos visa fee is USD 30 to USD 45, depending on your nationality."

The news article posted states this.

"Visas provided on arrival for foreign nationals from all nationalities will be charged USD 40, except for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, when applying for a tourist visa at an international checkpoint, according to the notice."

Yeh, I saw that, oh well...........☹️

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Iamfalang Gold Member

Iamfalang

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Thailand is ADDING some 300 baht fee.......Laos isn't going to reduce any previous fees.  lol.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if it goes way up......never down.    

 

It's a stinger, 1500.  And I think you pay 40 to leave, I forget.....something small.

 

but it can be done, and that's all that matter.   1500 over the course of a month is nothing.

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ubonjoe Legendary Member

ubonjoe

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2 minutes ago, Iamfalang said:

Thailand is ADDING some 300 baht fee.......Laos isn't going to reduce any previous fees.  lol.

I wouldn't be surprised if it goes way up......never down.    

It's a stinger, 1500.  And I think you pay 40 to leave, I forget.....something small.

but it can be done, and that's all that matter.   1500 over the course of a month is nothing.

No sure what you are writing about.

There is no fee for entry to a Thailand at this time. The 300 baht fee has been put on hold indefinitely.

And there is certainly no linkage between the 2 countries.

Laos changed the fees for visas on arrival. For most countries it is $40 US or the equivalent in Baht or KIp.

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Iamfalang Gold Member

Iamfalang

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1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no fee for entry to a Thailand at this time. The 300 baht fee has been put on hold indefinitely.

Interesting.  BANGKOK: All foreigners entering Thailand are expected to pay the proposed 300-baht tourism fee.  That was on July 15th, so I guess they changed it......  Comparing countries paying a fee when you enter.  

 

Visas provided on arrival for foreign nationals from all nationalities will be charged USD 40, except for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals,

 

OK, that's for Laos.  40 USD seems more than when I went last time.  

 

My "linkage" is post-COVID.....I believe all countries will try to get more money, not less.  I'm not seeing the less part.  

 

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ubonjoe Legendary Member

ubonjoe

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17 minutes ago, Iamfalang said:

That was on July 15th, so I guess they changed it......  Comparing countries paying a fee when you enter.  

The PM announced it was be put on hold indefinitely after that.

 

18 minutes ago, Iamfalang said:

OK, that's for Laos.  40 USD seems more than when I went last time.  

It was $35 before for many countries.

You seem to be confusing fees for entry and the cost of a visa on arrival.

 

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Iamfalang Gold Member

Iamfalang

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7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The PM announced it was be put on hold indefinitely after that.

 

It was $35 before for many countries.

You seem to be confusing fees for entry and the cost of a visa on arrival.

 

I agree, you are correct.   Entry and Visa to Laos, to me (I guess, not technically) is the same.  Can't enter without a visa.

 

No worries, I was incorrect.  It's a Saturday, relax with no stress.  

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Mac Mickmanus Star Member

Mac Mickmanus

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15 minutes ago, dcalaska said:

So, $50.00 online plus '' bank charge fee'' could be way more than $40 at the border with Visa on arrival. 

Last time I went to Laos they charged an extra fee for ''overtime''. I hate theses border scams.

Its 1 $ overtime fee . 

The its 20 Baht to use the turnstile to exit , then its 20 Baht for the bus ride . 

   Its just a right hassle keep having to get change , change money , pay money here and there whilst trying to navigate yourself through the border 

   Like when you need to change a 1000 Baht and get Lao Kip in change , just to pay 20 Baht for a turnstile 

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BritTim Diamond Member

BritTim

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28 minutes ago, Sambo5000 said:

Just payed 1700 baht for laos visa vientian crossing

It is well worth ensuring you have a few US dollars in clean, undamaged notes. In this case, it would have saved you approximately 310 baht.

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Irish star Silver Member

Irish star

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On 7/22/2022 at 9:02 AM, hakancnx said:

Yes, you have to have a visa. Can buy at the border. Bring Us $ 40 in spotless bills. ( The cashier is very sensitive. )

And a photo. 

Right before crossing on left hand side bunch of businesses before you get border they have photo shops , used to get 10 for 100 b but I’m sure that’s changed , I also park my vehicle over there for free 

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