Same Day Turn-around On Visa In Vientianne, Laos?

[ghiakarmann]

Hello all,

Sorry in advance if its been covered, I imagine it has somewhere but I can't dig up the answer. Simply, a friend is looking to buy plane tickets very soon for a visa run, and wants to get a double entry tourist visa. I just successfully received mine two months ago in Vientianne, and I'm giving her the benefit of my (limited) wisdom. The question has come up about the possibility of same day processing of the visa application there.

I know my first visa run (in Penang) there was a small processing charge for same day service. The passport was dropped off by an agent of the hotel to the embassy in the morning, and picked up that afternoon. Convenient. Does anyone know if the same service is offered in Laos?

Thank you very much!

Ryan

[IMA_FARANG]

I know what you mean about the "special visa service" that used to be available (for a fee) in Penang. A certain hotel used to offer a overnight visa if you stayed in that hotel for the night. You arrived in Georgetown on the train from Thailand, and they met you at the station. They took you immediately to the Thai consulate, where you turned in your passport to their "agent" (at the guardpost). You then went to their hotel, and registered for the night. In the morning you had beakfast in the hotel, and went to the Thai consulate where the agent had your passport waiting. They then took you back to the ferry to Georgetown in time for you to catch the afternoon train to Thailand. I did that a coule of times. However I don't think this has been available in Penang for a number of years....the immigration officer in charge was replaced, and the new officer in charge was noticebly less friendly.

I don't know if a similar service exists in Laos or not. It is possible that it does.

But as far as I know, your friend had better count on staying at least 2 days. You have to turn in your passport on the first day before noon, and can pick it up the next day after 1 P.M.

If you get the right flights, you can arrive early in the morning, get to the Thai consuate to turn in your passport on time, stay overnight in Laos, and fly out the next afternoon after you pick up your visa. But that all depends on getting the correct flights lined up.

[thaiphoon]

Apply morning Day 1, collect afternoon Day 2. Same for everyone.

[ghiakarmann]

I know what you mean about the "special visa service" that used to be available (for a fee) in Penang......However I don't think this has been available in Penang for a number of years

Ahhh, I had no idea that this was a "special" service being offered under the table. Gotcha. I won't be advising my friend to try and squeeze one of these out, especially if it means missing an expensive plane flight.

Oh, and the last time I used this same-day service in Penang, I believe it was back in July. I'd have to check my passport for a more exact date, but easily within the last year.

Thanks for the info!