Hi guys,

It will be my first time crossing the border from Thailand to Laos. I have a question about the visa on arrival. I am a French citizen.

How much is the visa fee and which currency should i bring? I understand Thai baht is more expensive. USD is cheaper but bank notes must be in brand new condition.

Seems like information can vary, anyone has recent experience?

Thank you in advance 🙏

Unless I'm mistaken the Visa On Arrival fee to Lao is 40USD (pristine notes) or 1800baht.

Plus you may have to fill out the Lao Digital Arrival card at this link as it was supposed to roll out in Sept 2025 and Nong Khai border is one of the points of entry where you use it

https://www.immigration.gov.la/en/news-detail/submit-arrival-or-departure-digital-card

8 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

Unless I'm mistaken the Visa On Arrival fee to Lao is 40USD (pristine notes) or 1800baht.

Plus you may have to fill out the Lao Digital Arrival card at this link as it was supposed to roll out in Sept 2025 and Nong Khai border is one of the points of entry where you use it

https://www.immigration.gov.la/en/news-detail/submit-arrival-or-departure-digital-card

Thank you for that. Will make sure to have everything ready. Difference in price from USD to THB is noticeable indeed. I'll carry both currencies, hoping they accept my $ then

Will check the digital arrival card too 🙏

You can avoid the queue with an e-visa...

https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

On 4/22/2026 at 8:30 AM, Bangkok Alex said:

Thank you for that. Will make sure to have everything ready. Difference in price from USD to THB is noticeable indeed. I'll carry both currencies, hoping they accept my $ then

Will check the digital arrival card too 🙏

It's $41 now or $51 if you buy online, but you still have to go to the VoA window, so it didn't save me any time buying online. You will need to complete the Lao digital arrival and departure cards, as well as the Thai version (all free), when returning. It's 35 baht on the bus going over and 30 baht coming back. Thai citizens have to pay a 70 baht administrative fee to enter Laos. Farangs have to be seen by Thai IO supervisors when leaving and entering, so save yourself time and ignore the passport booths. When leaving Thailand, go into the passport building and turn left into the office where it says 're-entry permit', and the supervisor will stamp you out. On your return, keep left until you enter a room with 3 desks, and again go into the room on the left with the sign 'queue here'. I'm on a DTV and stayed 3 days in Vientiane and returned without any issues. The exit IO asked me how long I'm staying in Laos, and when I told her 3 days, she smiled and nodded approvingly. I didn't ask about returning the same day. The Thai baht is widely accepted in Laos.

On 4/23/2026 at 10:25 AM, Jaggg88 said:

It's $41 now or $51 if you buy online, but you still have to go to the VoA window, so it didn't save me any time buying online. You will need to complete the Lao digital arrival and departure cards, as well as the Thai version (all free), when returning. It's 35 baht on the bus going over and 30 baht coming back. Thai citizens have to pay a 70 baht administrative fee to enter Laos. Farangs have to be seen by Thai IO supervisors when leaving and entering, so save yourself time and ignore the passport booths. When leaving Thailand, go into the passport building and turn left into the office where it says 're-entry permit', and the supervisor will stamp you out. On your return, keep left until you enter a room with 3 desks, and again go into the room on the left with the sign 'queue here'. I'm on a DTV and stayed 3 days in Vientiane and returned without any issues. The exit IO asked me how long I'm staying in Laos, and when I told her 3 days, she smiled and nodded approvingly. I didn't ask about returning the same day. The Thai baht is widely accepted in Laos.

Thank you for all the details, much appreciated.

We crossed the border this morning. The fee was 1700 baht or 40$. 1$ extra is applied if outside of official hours (late or early). I think also pay more if you don't have a photo.

I obtained 2 absolute brand new 20$ bills at Superrich Asoke BTS and it was approved.

Took 10 minutes altogether for the Laos visa.

Exiting Thailand took 5 minutes, very quiet and 30 baht per person for the bus across the bridge.

My Thai gf paid 40 baht to the Laos officer, whot told her it would have been 20 baht if she had been registering herself online prior.

Best money exchange is the Unitel shop after Laos immigration by a long way. Terrible rate at GSB Thai side.

Thank you all for the help!

On 4/22/2026 at 8:53 AM, novanova said:

You can avoid the queue with an e-visa...

https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

But that costs $50+.

I crossed twice this year using dollars in good condition but not brand new.

On 4/24/2026 at 1:53 PM, Bangkok Alex said:

My Thai gf paid 40 baht to the Laos officer, whot told her it would have been 20 baht if she had been registering herself online prior.

I thought my GF said 70 baht, but it was 20 baht. I had completed both our online arrival cards and sent her the QR code, which she showed at passport control.

I found the Laos border very clean and quiet compared to Cambodia (especially Poipet of course).

Laos and Thai officials were straightforward and friendly enough. Just avoid all the "helpers" and taxi bridge crossing services which are not needed.

So you made a visa run without any problem ?

11 hours ago, anotherfarangishere said:

So you made a visa run without any problem ?

Well, since I have been on visa exempts for a while, I opted to go with safe entry service.

We flew to Udon Thani, crossed the border by ourselves, spent 2 nights in Laos and on the way back, someone waited for me before crossing the Thai border and I was out within minutes, no questions asked. Cost was 3,500 baht.

You don't need to spend time in laos, but we wanted to make a weekend out of it.

On 4/28/2026 at 6:58 AM, Bangkok Alex said:

Well, since I have been on visa exempts for a while, I opted to go with safe entry service.

We flew to Udon Thani, crossed the border by ourselves, spent 2 nights in Laos and on the way back, someone waited for me before crossing the Thai border and I was out within minutes, no questions asked. Cost was 3,500 baht.

You don't need to spend time in laos, but we wanted to make a weekend out of it.

1 minute ago, anotherfarangishere said:

On 4/28/2026 at 6:58 AM, Bangkok Alex said:

Well, since I have been on visa exempts for a while, I opted to go with safe entry service.

Thank you for the clarification. The problem is that you'll be forced to use the safe entry service every time. The more you use it, the more entries there are in your passport, and the more you'll be forced to use it!

Oldtimer's question. Can one still take a boat across or does one have to use the bridge?

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Oldtimer's question. Can one still take a boat across or does one have to use the bridge?

You have to use the bridge, assuming that you are neither a Thai nor a Lao citizen.

17 hours ago, anotherfarangishere said:

Thank you for the clarification. The problem is that you'll be forced to use the safe entry service every time. The more you use it, the more entries there are in your passport, and the more you'll be fYou

17 hours ago, anotherfarangishere said:

Thank you for the clarification. The problem is that you'll be forced to use the safe entry service every time. The more you use it, the more entries there are in your passport, and the more you'll be forced to use it!

You are absolutely right. To be honest, I got used to it. Small extra cost for peace of mind and convenience.

Ok, thank you, and all the best in Thailand!

"safe entry service"
Excuse the ignorance, but what is this?

7 minutes ago, curlywombat said:

"safe entry service"
Excuse the ignorance, but what is this?

You pay an agency for you to get back in Thailand (through airports or land borders) with no documents, show money needed, and no questions asked.

Cost very around 3-5k baht.

It is useful for people having a long history in Thailand without long term visas.

On 4/23/2026 at 10:25 AM, Jaggg88 said:

It's $41 now or $51 if you buy online, but you still have to go to the VoA window, so it didn't save me any time buying online. You will need to complete the Lao digital arrival and departure cards, as well as the Thai version (all free), when returning. It's 35 baht on the bus going over and 30 baht coming back. Thai citizens have to pay a 70 baht administrative fee to enter Laos. Farangs have to be seen by Thai IO supervisors when leaving and entering, so save yourself time and ignore the passport booths. When leaving Thailand, go into the passport building and turn left into the office where it says 're-entry permit', and the supervisor will stamp you out. On your return, keep left until you enter a room with 3 desks, and again go into the room on the left with the sign 'queue here'. I'm on a DTV and stayed 3 days in Vientiane and returned without any issues. The exit IO asked me how long I'm staying in Laos, and when I told her 3 days, she smiled and nodded approvingly. I didn't ask about returning the same day. The Thai baht is widely accepted in Laos.

Do you know if it's necessary to have to stay in Laos for a certain period of time before being able to cross back in? I'd like to go over and come right back, any idea if there is any kind of restriction on this? I'll be activating a non b, so I'm probably on a lot more solid ground than those of you doing visa exempts, but I am curious if there's any issue with out and immediately back in, same day?

39 minutes ago, Glenn128 said:

Do you know if it's necessary to have to stay in Laos for a certain period of time before being able to cross back in? I'd like to go over and come right back, any idea if there is any kind of restriction on this? I'll be activating a non b, so I'm probably on a lot more solid ground than those of you doing visa exempts, but I am curious if there's any issue with out and immediately back in, same day?

If you have a visa then there is no issue. The people who have issues are those without a visa.

4 hours ago, Glenn128 said:

Do you know if it's necessary to have to stay in Laos for a certain period of time before being able to cross back in? I'd like to go over and come right back, any idea if there is any kind of restriction on this? I'll be activating a non b, so I'm probably on a lot more solid ground than those of you doing visa exempts, but I am curious if there's any issue with out and immediately back in, same day?

5 hours ago, Glenn128 said:

Do you know if it's necessary to have to stay in Laos for a certain period of time before being able to cross back in? I'd like to go over and come right back, any idea if there is any kind of restriction on this? I'll be activating a non b, so I'm probably on a lot more solid ground than those of you doing visa exempts, but I am curious if there's any issue with out and immediately back in, same day?

Activating a Non B ? My understanding is that you can apply for Non B in Vientiane and cross back to Thailand without problems. Activation is, in my understanding , a visa obtained while in Thailand and go to border to "activate". If this the case , I think, the IO would question you.

27 minutes ago, AndreasG said:

Activating a Non B ? My understanding is that you can apply for Non B in Vientiane and cross back to Thailand without problems. Activation is, in my understanding , a visa obtained while in Thailand and go to border to "activate

I had same thoughts.

" Activating a Non B" almost sounds that he has a Non B (e-Visa) up his sleeve and needs to exit Thailand in order to activate it by entering.

Perhaps @Glenn128 could clarify

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I had same thoughts.

" Activating a Non B" almost sounds that he has a Non B (e-Visa) up his sleeve and needs to exit Thailand in order to activate it by entering.

Perhaps @Glenn128 could clarify

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I had same thoughts.

" Activating a Non B" almost sounds that he has a Non B (e-Visa) up his sleeve and needs to exit Thailand in order to activate it by entering.

Perhaps @Glenn128 could clarify

I filed for my non b in Vientianne, but flew back for Thailand before it was approved, and received the approval in country. So, I guess you could say it's üp my sleeve"... I've asked around, including agents, and they everyone has given me the same answer, which is that I'll be able to activate it when I next enter, because it has a 90 day validity to be activated.

Are you saying that there might be a problem with using Nong Khai land border to activate?

20 hours ago, AndreasG said:

Activating a Non B ? My understanding is that you can apply for Non B in Vientiane and cross back to Thailand without problems. Activation is, in my understanding , a visa obtained while in Thailand and go to border to "activate". If this the case , I think, the IO would question you.

What line of questioning do you think they would be pursuing? From my understanding, getting your non b approval in country, and then flying out and back in to activate is perfectly acceptable. Do you think it would be an issue at Nong Khai?

7 minutes ago, Glenn128 said:

Are you saying that there might be a problem with using Nong Khai land border to activate?

No.

I was trying to work out why it needed activating. What I outlined is what happened.

This is different to (for example) someone obtaining eg setv eVisa then trying to enter visa exempt to max out their stay.

Your eVisa was not approved when you entered.

Some folk think they can obtain an eVida in say Vietnam then enter visa exempt and later border bounce (not Vietnam) and activate the eVisa

14 minutes ago, Glenn128 said:

I filed for my non b in Vientianne, but flew back for Thailand before it was approved,

You state..... "and received the approval in country."

You received the eVisa approval while YOU were in country.

Note for others.. You remain in the country where you are applying for the visa until it's approved.

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You state..... "and received the approval in country."

You received the eVisa approval while YOU were in country.

Note for others.. You remain in the country where you are applying for the visa until it's approved.

I see. So in my case having a non b that was approved while I was in country, do you know if there's reason for me to expect any pushback from the IO about going in and out at the Nong Khai border to activate my 90 days?

6 minutes ago, Glenn128 said:

I see. So in my case having a non b that was approved while I was in country, do you know if there's reason for me to expect any pushback from the IO about going in and out at the Nong Khai border to activate my 90 days?

I think you will be fine as you obtained the eVisa in Laos and that's where you will be bouncing to to activate the visa upon reentry to Thailand.

An example of where it might be an issue is someone applies for eVisa say UK then travels to Thailand and enters visa exempt then later does a bounce tosay Laos such as you plan.