Can I Get A Laos Visa At Huay Kon Border Crossing In Nan Province?

[modronkin]

Hi

I'm English, in Thailand on a double-entry tourist visa (from Vientiane)

I already extended the first entry by 30 days at Chiang Mai Immigration.

Next week I need to do a border run to activate the second entry of the tourist visa.

I am in Nan. Does anyone know if I can go to the border crossing at Huay Kon, without a Laos visa? In other words, will they issue me a visa there the same as they do at the Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai, or am I expected to already have a visa issued by a Laos consulate?

I understand they recently opened the crossing up for farangs, before it was only for locals, but I'm not sure if they issue visas.

Any information much appreciated.

Also any tips on how to get to the border by public transport from Nan city?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Shouldn't be a problem.

The Huey Khon-Muang Nguen border point was opened for farangs in December 2008. When I went across in February '09 a visa already in your passport was required. But the changed that to Visa On Arrival by summer '09 so you can just get one there at Huey Khon.

FYI, it's a LONG walk from the Thai crossing point to Lao Immigration, perhaps one km or so. Don't know if they've allowed a motorcycle "service" there yet or not, so be prepared for a walk, hopefully not in the rain.

There'll be bus or at least song taeo service from Nan town up to Thung Chang, or Chlerm Prakiat, which is a bit closer to Huey Khon. You can probably get a song taeo from one of these towns up to the border. You might ask at the Nan bus station.

Continuing on with travel in Laos from Muang Nguen? Or just doing a visa run?

Mac

[modronkin]

Thanks very much, Mac.

I would love to see more of Laos, but at this point it's just a visa run.

I don't mind walking - it's my preferred means of getting around - only in Thailand it makes me sweat LOL

One km in No Man's Land.

I think I can pay someone here to drive me to the border and back - the main thing is that they issue visas.

Thank you again.

[harrry]

quote

Visa on arrival facilities now exist at 14 land border crossings and river ports of entry to the Lao PDR from Thailand, China and Vietnam including Mittaphap (Friendship) Bridge & Nongkhai, Houayxay & Xiengkhong, Thakhek & Nakhonphanom, Savannakhet & Mukdahan, Vangtao & Xongmek, Namphao & Cautreo, Densavanh & Laobao, Naphao & Chalo, Boten & Bohane, Namkane & Namekane, Namsoue & Nameo and Paksane & Beungkane. We cannot confirm the Cambodia/Lao crossing points issue visas.

from http://www.retire-asia.com/lao-visa-on-arrival-30-days.shtml

end quote

Thought this may be useful

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup,

I'd like to ask ... while on this topic ... since I really wish to visit Nan and see Wat Phumin, and am bored with going to Mae Sai ... if it is possible to do an in-and-out at Huay Kon without paying the Laos government US $30 (as you do at the Friendship Bridge) in contrast with US $10 to the Burmese at Mae Sai ... for a fifteen day.

thanks, ~o:37;

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Sawasdee Khrup,

I'd like to ask ... while on this topic ... since I really wish to visit Nan and see Wat Phumin, and am bored with going to Mae Sai ... if it is possible to do an in-and-out at Huay Kon without paying the Laos government US $30 (as you do at the Friendship Bridge) in contrast with US $10 to the Burmese at Mae Sai ... for a fifteen day.

thanks, ~o:37;

Believe the Thai rule is that you actually have to enter a foreign country before you can return to Thailand, so no, can't just get an exit stamp at Huey Khon then turn around and get an entry stamp from the same Immigration officer. This has been tried at the Aranyaprathet border point and nixed.

Mac

[modronkin]

OK, thanks for the input everyone. I did the border run yesterday. No problem.

There's a minibus service from Nan bus station direct to the border crossing point at Chalerm Prakhiat. Costs 100 baht each way.

Journey takes 3 hours. I left at 5.00 and was there by 8.00.

Got my Thai exit stamp.

Ten minutes' walk in no-man's land (over the mound of a hill) to the Laos immigration point.

Paid 1250 baht for a Laos 30 day visa (you need a passport photo).

Collected my entry and exit stamps

Walked back to the Thai immigration point to get stamped back into Thailand.

Was back in Chalerm Prakhiat by 9.00.

Got the 9.45 bus and was back in Nan by 1:30

There are only two buses per day - they leave Nan at 05.00 and 07.45 and return at 09.45 and 12.45

Disadvantages compared to Mae Sai - the Laos visa costs more than the Myanmar one and takes up a full page of your passport whereas in Mae Sai they only stamp your passport.

And you have to walk a bit uphill, if that bothers you. And there are no shops like in Tachleik, if you want to combine a border run with picking up some cheap goods.

Nan province is very beautiful, especially up in the north.