Laos Visa?

[monkdean]

Sa-wut dee krap! I'm new to this forum and I'm looking for some information on how to go about obtaining a visa, I'm a student and i'm planning a volunteer project around July near to the summer holidays. Although I should mention the project is in neighboring country Laos, if anybody has any useful information what so ever to share, please do!

Thanks.

Dean.

[KED]

Dean,

Not sure I understand, do you need info on getting a Thai visa or a Laos visa? What country is your passport issued? Where are you now?

[CharlieH]

Dean,

Not sure I understand, do you need info on getting a Thai visa or a Laos visa? What country is your passport issued? Where are you now?

You will need a WORK PERMIT even if volunteeering in Thailand !

Laos visa's can be easily obtained at the border when leaving Thailand. Depending on your nationality a visa costs around 35 US dollars or 1400 Thai Baht.

Not sure on the regulations for LAOS but you may need a work permit there also.

DONT take the risk you could end up in jail, deported or both.

Edited February 17, 2011 by CharlieH

[stickyrice2000]

Depending on your passport, you can obtain the visa at the Vientiane Airport. To be sure and save time, apply for the visa first at the Lao embassy in your country.

[monkdean]

Dean,

Not sure I understand, do you need info on getting a Thai visa or a Laos visa? What country is your passport issued? Where are you now?

I'm In England, currently My passport is pending. I'm doing the volunteering project with STA Travel a student travel agency, which specialise in Asian volunteering projects. I was advised to contact the Lao embassy, is this all i need? Nothing about a work permit was mentioned at the meeting.

Thanks

[7by7]

You are a British citizen?

You say that the people organising this trip have advised you to contact the Laos embassy. One problem; there is no Laos embassy in the UK!

The nearest one is in Paris; Ambassade de la République Démocratique Populaire Lao.

[monkdean]

You are a British citizen?

You say that the people organising this trip have advised you to contact the Laos embassy. One problem; there is no Laos embassy in the UK!

The nearest one is in Paris; Ambassade de la République Démocratique Populaire Lao.

Yes I'm a British citizen, I know I can't believe the embassy is in France haha. Well thanks for the site, I've emailed them... Hope they get back!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

You are a British citizen?

You say that the people organising this trip have advised you to contact the Laos embassy. One problem; there is no Laos embassy in the UK!

The nearest one is in Paris; Ambassade de la République Démocratique Populaire Lao.

Hmmmm, strange that the Lao would miss the UK, wonder why? Mr Google seems to agree, tho, Paris. Not even an official or honorary Consulate? Even stranger!

However, did run across this one, new? Old? Just plain wrong? How about someone giving them a phone call and asking:

http://www.threeland.com/Laos_embassies.htm

Lao Embassy in United Kingdom

Add: Victoria Road 12-14, London W8-5rd, UK

Tel: 93 71 912

Fax: 93 76 108

Code: 00-44-171

Mac

[Basil B]

Like wise we have no embassy in Laos, or consulate.

Probably the best source of information I can find is this from WikiTravel:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Laos

Some points give me concern, you state you are doing voluntary work through STA Travel yet all they do is tell you to contact the Laos Embassy in Paris, I would have thought if you needed a work permit ( which I think is probable) they would have supplied a letter of introduction explaining the project and work as it seems work permits are very hard to get.

Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour).

I would also check what support you will get while in Laos as there is no British Embassy or consular service if things go wrong.

Stay safe

• Crime levels are low in Laos, although petty theft (bag snatching) is not unknown and seems to be on the rise. It is highly unlikely to affect most travellers, but Laos has some of the world's highest corruption levels and is a big factor in many citizens' lives.

• Judicial processes remain arbitrary and, while you are unlikely to be hassled, if accused your legal rights may be slim or non-existent.

• Sexual relations between a Lao national and a foreigner are illegal unless they are married, and marriage requires special permits. Lao hotels are not permitted to allow a foreigner and Lao national in the same hotel room together. "Number One" condoms are available for 1000-5000 kip for a pack of 3. These are probably the cheapest condoms in the world (and their quality seems to be ok).

• Drugs are a large problem in Laos and should be avoided at all costs. Lao law makes little distinction between personal use and trafficking and any conviction will result in heavy fines and expulsion at best and imprisonment or even execution at worst. Methamphetamine is widespread and often offered in "special" or "happy" shakes along the backpacker trail.

• Criticism of the Lao government or the Communist Party in any way, shape or form is unwise.

• Landmines or unexploded ordinance left over from the Vietnam War maims or kills hundreds of people every year as Laos is the most bombed country in history. Almost all of these occur in the eastern and northern parts of the country, especially near the border with Vietnam. Never enter into areas marked as minefields and travel only on paved roads and well-worn paths. If you are unsure of which areas are safe, ask locals
  

Best of luck. Basil.

[monkdean]

Like wise we have no embassy in Laos, or consulate.

Probably the best source of information I can find is this from WikiTravel:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Laos

Some points give me concern, you state you are doing voluntary work through STA Travel yet all they do is tell you to contact the Laos Embassy in Paris, I would have thought if you needed a work permit ( which I think is probable) they would have supplied a letter of introduction explaining the project and work as it seems work permits are very hard to get.

Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour).

I would also check what support you will get while in Laos as there is no British Embassy or consular service if things go wrong.

Stay safe

• Crime levels are low in Laos, although petty theft (bag snatching) is not unknown and seems to be on the rise. It is highly unlikely to affect most travellers, but Laos has some of the world's highest corruption levels and is a big factor in many citizens' lives.

• Judicial processes remain arbitrary and, while you are unlikely to be hassled, if accused your legal rights may be slim or non-existent.

• Sexual relations between a Lao national and a foreigner are illegal unless they are married, and marriage requires special permits. Lao hotels are not permitted to allow a foreigner and Lao national in the same hotel room together. "Number One" condoms are available for 1000-5000 kip for a pack of 3. These are probably the cheapest condoms in the world (and their quality seems to be ok).

• Drugs are a large problem in Laos and should be avoided at all costs. Lao law makes little distinction between personal use and trafficking and any conviction will result in heavy fines and expulsion at best and imprisonment or even execution at worst. Methamphetamine is widespread and often offered in "special" or "happy" shakes along the backpacker trail.

• Criticism of the Lao government or the Communist Party in any way, shape or form is unwise.

• Landmines or unexploded ordinance left over from the Vietnam War maims or kills hundreds of people every year as Laos is the most bombed country in history. Almost all of these occur in the eastern and northern parts of the country, especially near the border with Vietnam. Never enter into areas marked as minefields and travel only on paved roads and well-worn paths. If you are unsure of which areas are safe, ask locals
  

Best of luck. Basil.

Basil I do not understand why i would need a work permit to do voluntary work... I'm bunking with a project manager with his family and I'm supporting myself on my own savings while I'm over there for the duration of a month. Could you explain why i would need a work permit?

thanks.

[7by7]

If you were a non EEA national coming to the UK to do voluntary work you would need a Tier 5 Temporary Worker (charity workers) visa.

Is Laos the same? I don't know; but one would think that the organisation organising the trip and the organisation you will be doing the voluntary work for do know. The more I think about it the more surprised I am that they have left you to organise visas for yourself, without at the very least telling you what type of visa you need and where and how to obtain it.

[bangkockney]

You can get a visa on arrival at the airport, and at most land crossings. An on-arrival business visa costs $25 for one month, and can be extended indefinitely (a 3 month extension costs approximately $80).

You need:

1. Passport with at least one page empty for the visa, and 6 months validity
2. Application form, provided at the airport / border
3. $25 application fee
4. One (1) passport sized photo

The process for obtaining an on-arrival visa is simple enough. In fact, it is exactly the same as applying for an on-arrival tourist visa. But this time you check the business visa box on the the application form and indicate that you're planning to stay for more than 30 days.

Have your in-country support team help you with your extension after you've arrived. Good idea to speak with STA's pre-departure help desk to make sure they can help. If not, there are plenty of visa agents who can take care of it for you.

Easy.

Don't worry about no British Embassy: routine matters are dealt with by the Australian Embassy. The Australian Embassy in Vientiane can be contacted at: KM4, Thadeua Road, Watnak Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane; (Tel: + 856 21 353 800; Fax: 856-21 353-801). Email: [email protected].

EDIT: Just seen you are only going for a month so no need to worry about an extension at all.

Edited February 21, 2011 by bangkockney