Laos Visa Run

[TheCloud]

I just got back from my visa run to Laos.

I already had two previous Tourist Visa's. One from Taipei and the other also from Laos, both had been extended.

On both trips to Laos I've taken the train from Bangkok to Nong Khai (Thai Border Town). The first time I took the train from Nong Khai across to the Laos border station. It costs twenty baht. Once in Laos, you can submit your Laos Visa paperwork. It's about a twenty minute wait. Then for 300 baht you can hire a tuk tuk to take you into Vientiane.

This time I decided to try crossing by taking a tuk tuk. First the tuk tuk driver dropped me off at a Visa shop. You can tell the driver you're not interested and to carry on if you want. I found them to actually be really good. They filled out all my paperwork for me, both Laos and Thai visa forms. Made sure I had all the documents, I had forgotten to photocopy my passport for my Thai Tourist Visa. Once your sorted they will drive you to the border. Both getting out of Thailand and getting into Laos had long lines, and it requires taking a bus (which was included into the Visa agents fee), to get from the Thai side of the bridge to the Laos side. Once I got stamped into Laos my driver from the Visa shop was waiting for me. It cost me 500 baht, and I think took a lot longer taking this route. Though the driver was really good and tried to get me to the embassy, but unfortunately I got there just after 12pm.

I highly recommend taking the train route. Faster, and less people to scam you. The 300 baht to Vientiane is about what all the tuk tuks charge anyway. If you weren't to get a visa agent you would have to negotiate the price to the thai side of the border. Then take a bus to the Laos side. Then once you've passed through to Laos negotiate with another driver to take you into Vientiane. Too much work.

This time I was pleasntly supprised to find that the Thai embassy wasn't very busy. It took about an hour to get my paperwork in, and pay. Though there was a note saying they were stamping down on people who were constantly applying for Tourist Visas, which made me a bit nervous. I did meet a Visa Agent who told me that he could get the Visa for me in one day for 5500 bht. He said he could do it cheaper in two days time at 2500bht.

The next day I picked up my tourist visa after 1pm, which I was glad to find I succesfully got.

To get back across the border to Nong Khai I decided to take the train, as last time I did it the opposite way and crossed by tuk tuk.Taking the train was incredibly fast. I left Vientiane at 4pm, I got to the train station at 4.45pm (the train station is only minutes away from the Bridge if you were to cross by tuk tuk) to find that there was no line to buy a ticket, or get stamped out. Train left at 5pm, and by 5.20 I was stamped into Thailand. Last time going by tuk tuk, it took a lot longer and as mentioned cost a lot more.

Both to Nong Khai and going back to Bangkok the train was over two hours late, so if you're in a rush or want to do the visa run in two days don't bother taking the train. If you would like anymore details I have the information for the driver i used and the Visa run agent I met.

[challenger99]

It confuse me little bit when I read .....

They filled out all my paperworks for me, both Laos and Thai visa forms !!!!!

I guess you are European?

On 19th May 2011 I was in Lao Embassy in Bangkok for other purpose and I was informed Europeans and some other countries don't need any more any visa if they stay not longer then 15 days and the stamp on arrival is free !!!!

And it is true, next day I cross the broder at Nong Khai with my own car into Lao .... no visa, only a stamp and no sticker which abuse each time 1 page of passport !!!

Hope many are happy to know about this.

//Edit by Maestro: Wrong information

The visa exemption for Laos does not apply to all Europeans, only to the nationals of a few European countries, ie. Russia, Luxembourg and Switzerland, and some Asian countries. See this post:

[Thanyaburi Mac]

On 19th May 2011 I was in Lao Embassy in Bangkok for other purpose and I was informed Europeans and some other countries don't need any more any visa if they stay not longer then 15 days and the stamp on arrival is free !!!!

And it is true, next day I cross the broder at Nong Khai with my own car into Lao .... no visa, only a stamp and no sticker which abuse each time 1 page of passport !!!

First I've heard that some nationalities do not now need a Lao visa for a stay of 15 days. Anyone else seen this notice? What nationalities are included??

Mac

[Mario2008]

No mention of this in the IATA database.

[TheCloud]

I'm a New Zealander. I needed to fill out a Laos visa form. The visa agent also filled out my Thai visa form while I was there.

The visa cost me $30 US to get. I haven't read anything about being able to get a Visa on Arrival stamp for free.

[supaprik]

Visas for Laos are needed for all except Japanese visitors. According to agreements made since 2005, ASEAN country citizens should be given free entry for 15 days. However, this is not always the case and some ASEAN citizens (e.g. Indonesian) have reported being charged for entry into Laos. This may also apply at other ASEAN country border control where the free entry agreement has not been implemented or is being ignored.

ASEAN does not include new Zealand and Australia

[challenger99]

No mention of this in the IATA database.

I am many years IATA Member, sorry you are wrong as you will read in a reply

[challenger99]

Visas for Laos are needed for all except Japanese visitors. According to agreements made since 2005, ASEAN country citizens should be given free entry for 15 days. However, this is not always the case and some ASEAN citizens (e.g. Indonesian) have reported being charged for entry into Laos. This may also apply at other ASEAN country border control where the free entry agreement has not been implemented or is being ignored.

ASEAN does not include new Zealand and Australia

Sorry also you are wrong as many who say "I don't read or I don't hear"

By what reason I shall lie? .... by which reason I have to explain me? .... often if something extraordinary people here are attacked by others who know everything better ....... all of this have a phone and call to the Embassy of Lao !!!!

I am Swiss citizen and in same positon as Europeans if it concern visa means. Here my passport, I just made a new one because in old the pages was full and I expected I need 1 page for Lao Via sticker plus stamps fm Thailand and Lao.

Because I hate stand in the hot sun in line on the border in Nong Khai, I went early in the monring to the Lao Embassy in BKK to apply for a visa which you can get between 1 hrs or less if you pay additional express fees.

I overhand at the counter my application plus 1600 THB for a 30 day visa. The responsible for visa explain me, that I NO NEED anymore a visa if I don't stay longer then 15 days. To let confirm, I asked again and he confirmed. With strange feeling in the belly (unil now all 15 times visa was needed) I drive to Thai/Lao border, fill out large paperwork for my car to add at my ITP. NOBODY asked me for any visa, I got en Entry stamp and later the exit stamp as you see in my new passport .... 2 Lao and 1 Thai stamp when I return. Also on following pages (I am not willing scan all passport but you can come see) NO VISA STICKER.

I turn back by car to Lao soon and will get next confirmation that I don't LIE and there is NO DOUBT. But in future what for I try support THAI-VISA member if they are hard to convince? I hope the quality of this site come back.

I wrote since the begining in my first reply ..... this fact was on 18 Mai 2011 brand new (I guess since 01.05.2011) and it will take time until it is published in IATA etc., first the Embassy must make a step but we deal with a communist country

P.S: while I run from counter to counter to stamp my car documents I watch with one eye the visa counter and near nobody was to see there all the time I was on Thai side at custom!!!

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

did the OP (original poster) receive a single or double tourist visa?

[TheCloud]

I got a single. Didn't want to push my luck too much.

[transam]

I'm a New Zealander. I needed to fill out a Laos visa form. The visa agent also filled out my Thai visa form while I was there.

The visa cost me $30 US to get. I haven't read anything about being able to get a Visa on Arrival stamp for free.

Nor me, Chong Mek 90 day Multi -O- Visa run costs 1500 bht or $35 for UK guy for Laos visa, only in Loas an hour and a page in passport gone. .

[challenger99]

I'm a New Zealander. I needed to fill out a Laos visa form. The visa agent also filled out my Thai visa form while I was there.

The visa cost me $30 US to get. I haven't read anything about being able to get a Visa on Arrival stamp for free.

Nor me, Chong Mek 90 day Multi -O- Visa run costs 1500 bht or $35 for UK guy for Laos visa, only in Loas an hour and a page in passport gone. .

you mean .... UK guy for Thai visa in Laos ....... !!!???

[transam]

I'm a New Zealander. I needed to fill out a Laos visa form. The visa agent also filled out my Thai visa form while I was there.

The visa cost me $30 US to get. I haven't read anything about being able to get a Visa on Arrival stamp for free.

Nor me, Chong Mek 90 day Multi -O- Visa run costs 1500 bht or $35 for UK guy for Laos visa, only in Loas an hour and a page in passport gone. .

you mean .... UK guy for Thai visa in Laos ....... !!!???

Looks like l got the wrong end of the stick here.

[midas]

I wrote since the begining in my first reply ..... this fact was on 18 Mai 2011 brand new (I guess since 01.05.2011) and it will take time until it is published in IATA etc., first the Embassy must make a step but we deal with a communist country

the embassy hasn't got around to adding this information to their own website either

But it makes you wonder why they would have taken this step? A poor country waving the opportunity

to make $30 from so many people on short visits doesn't really make sense....

it's not like they can make up the lost revenue in other ways like taking tourists on shopping expeditions

to air-conditioned malls ?

[challenger99]

I wrote since the begining in my first reply ..... this fact was on 18 Mai 2011 brand new (I guess since 01.05.2011) and it will take time until it is published in IATA etc., first the Embassy must make a step but we deal with a communist country

the embassy hasn't got around to adding this information to their own website either

But it makes you wonder why they would have taken this step? A poor country waving the opportunity

to make $30 from so many people on short visits doesn't really make sense....

it's not like they can make up the lost revenue in other ways like taking tourists on shopping expeditions

to air-conditioned malls ?

The WEB site is from 2009 !!! instead we discuss here nonsense, each have right t call or go to the Embassy, if I could I would like cancel my add and newest INFO about this.

Beside my LAO friends mean it make sense to not charge 30$ (depend on country) to activate the tourism and it seem it works what I have seen in Vang Vieng and LP. For a knapsack tourist 30$ is a lot of money ..... :jap: enjoy all your comments, few bath call would make it clear

[challenger99]

No mention of this in the IATA database.

I am many years IATA Member, sorry you are wrong as you will read in a reply

I TOKE OUT MY IATA MEMBER ATTACHMENT, MAKE NONSENSE TO SHOW HERE ................. if I read comments without basic Embassy info

[challenger99]

Visas for Laos are needed for all except Japanese visitors. According to agreements made since 2005, ASEAN country citizens should be given free entry for 15 days. However, this is not always the case and some ASEAN citizens (e.g. Indonesian) have reported being charged for entry into Laos. This may also apply at other ASEAN country border control where the free entry agreement has not been implemented or is being ignored.

ASEAN does not include new Zealand and Australia

Sorry also you are wrong as many who say "I don't read or I don't hear"

By what reason I shall lie? .... by which reason I have to explain me? .... often if something extraordinary people here are attacked by others who know everything better ....... all of this have a phone and call to the Embassy of Lao !!!!

I am Swiss citizen and in same positon as Europeans if it concern visa means. Here my passport, I just made a new one because in old the pages was full and I expected I need 1 page for Lao Via sticker plus stamps fm Thailand and Lao.

Because I hate stand in the hot sun in line on the border in Nong Khai, I went early in the monring to the Lao Embassy in BKK to apply for a visa which you can get between 1 hrs or less if you pay additional express fees.

I overhand at the counter my application plus 1600 THB for a 30 day visa. The responsible for visa explain me, that I NO NEED anymore a visa if I don't stay longer then 15 days. To let confirm, I asked again and he confirmed. With strange feeling in the belly (unil now all 15 times visa was needed) I drive to Thai/Lao border, fill out large paperwork for my car to add at my ITP. NOBODY asked me for any visa, I got en Entry stamp and later the exit stamp as you see in my new passport .... 2 Lao and 1 Thai stamp when I return. Also on following pages (I am not willing scan all passport but you can come see) NO VISA STICKER.

I turn back by car to Lao soon and will get next confirmation that I don't LIE and there is NO DOUBT. But in future what for I try support THAI-VISA member if they are hard to convince? I hope the quality of this site come back.

I wrote since the begining in my first reply ..... this fact was on 18 Mai 2011 brand new (I guess since 01.05.2011) and it will take time until it is published in IATA etc., first the Embassy must make a step but we deal with a communist country

P.S: while I run from counter to counter to stamp my car documents I watch with one eye the visa counter and near nobody was to see there all the time I was on Thai side at custom!!!

I TOKE OUT MY COPY OF PASSPORT WITH LAO STAMPS ETC. , it MAKE NONSENSE TO SHOW HERE ................. if I read comments without basic Embassy info

[hullupullo]

Visas for Laos are needed for all except Japanese visitors. According to agreements made since 2005, ASEAN country citizens should be given free entry for 15 days. However, this is not always the case and some ASEAN citizens (e.g. Indonesian) have reported being charged for entry into Laos. This may also apply at other ASEAN country border control where the free entry agreement has not been implemented or is being ignored.

ASEAN does not include new Zealand and Australia

Lao Visa Exemption

Citizens of Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and some ASEAN member countries are exempted from Lao visa. The citizens of these countries (with valid passports) can enter Laos and stay for 15-30 days without a visa. For longer stay, a visa is required.

http://laosvisas.com/laos-visa-news/Lao-Visa-Exemption/

[midas]

I wrote since the begining in my first reply ..... this fact was on 18 Mai 2011 brand new (I guess since 01.05.2011) and it will take time until it is published in IATA etc., first the Embassy must make a step but we deal with a communist country

the embassy hasn't got around to adding this information to their own website either

But it makes you wonder why they would have taken this step? A poor country waving the opportunity

to make $30 from so many people on short visits doesn't really make sense....

it's not like they can make up the lost revenue in other ways like taking tourists on shopping expeditions

to air-conditioned malls ?

The WEB site is from 2009 !!! instead we discuss here nonsense, each have right t call or go to the Embassy, if I could I would like cancel my add and newest INFO about this.

Beside my LAO friends mean it make sense to not charge 30$ (depend on country) to activate the tourism and it seem it works what I have seen in Vang Vieng and LP. For a knapsack tourist 30$ is a lot of money ..... :jap: enjoy all your comments, few bath call would make it clear

challenger I am not saying your information is incorrect for one minute. I'm just surprised that is all

But with regards to your comments about calling them to verify this information, have you ever tried to call them

they never pick up the telephone

[challenger99]

I wrote since the begining in my first reply ..... this fact was on 18 Mai 2011 brand new (I guess since 01.05.2011) and it will take time until it is published in IATA etc., first the Embassy must make a step but we deal with a communist country

the embassy hasn't got around to adding this information to their own website either

But it makes you wonder why they would have taken this step? A poor country waving the opportunity

to make $30 from so many people on short visits doesn't really make sense....

it's not like they can make up the lost revenue in other ways like taking tourists on shopping expeditions

to air-conditioned malls ?

The WEB site is from 2009 !!! instead we discuss here nonsense, each have right t call or go to the Embassy, if I could I would like cancel my add and newest INFO about this.

Beside my LAO friends mean it make sense to not charge 30$ (depend on country) to activate the tourism and it seem it works what I have seen in Vang Vieng and LP. For a knapsack tourist 30$ is a lot of money ..... :jap: enjoy all your comments, few bath call would make it clear

challenger I am not saying your information is incorrect for one minute. I'm just surprised that is all

But with regards to your comments about calling them to verify this information, have you ever tried to call them

they never pick up the telephone

Sincere .... I never tryed because I was working over 20 years with communist countries and here in Thailand not only with Lao Embassy we have the problem at other side of any phone it rings mean it stink from work !!! This is the reason I make effort before a trip and go personally.

No worry ..... more and more we will be surprised, the countries around are not sleeping fishing Farangs

Compliments to hullupullo ..... the only answer with substance and it seem this changment happen since 1st January 2011 .....

I added copy of my passport with the LAO stamp but for most Thai Visa Member it was not a prove of what I said. Most comments was as in a Kindergarden.

[challenger99]

Visas for Laos are needed for all except Japanese visitors. According to agreements made since 2005, ASEAN country citizens should be given free entry for 15 days. However, this is not always the case and some ASEAN citizens (e.g. Indonesian) have reported being charged for entry into Laos. This may also apply at other ASEAN country border control where the free entry agreement has not been implemented or is being ignored.

ASEAN does not include new Zealand and Australia

Lao Visa Exemption

Citizens of Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and some ASEAN member countries are exempted from Lao visa. The citizens of these countries (with valid passports) can enter Laos and stay for 15-30 days without a visa. For longer stay, a visa is required.

http://laosvisas.com...Visa-Exemption/

BRAVO hullupullo ..... first answer with roots and facts !!! :jap: :jap: :jap: may I misunderstod the clerk in Embassy with Lao English that this exemtion could be for all European citizens, NOW IS CLEAR

[midas]

Sincere .... I never tryed because I was working over 20 years with communist countries and here in Thailand not only with Lao Embassy we have the problem at other side of any phone it rings mean it stink from work !!! This is the reason I make effort before a trip and go personally.

No worry ..... more and more we will be surprised, the countries around are not sleeping fishing Farangs

Compliments to hullupullo ..... the only answer with substance and it seem this changment happen since 1st January 2011 .....

I added copy of my passport with the LAO stamp but for most Thai Visa Member it was not a prove of what I said. Most comments was as in a Kindergarden.

challenger before they get around to waiving visa fees in Laos it would be a nice gesture on the part if they could get rid of that stupid rule that it is against the law to have any guests in your hotel room

[challenger99]

Sincere .... I never tryed because I was working over 20 years with communist countries and here in Thailand not only with Lao Embassy we have the problem at other side of any phone it rings mean it stink from work !!! This is the reason I make effort before a trip and go personally.

No worry ..... more and more we will be surprised, the countries around are not sleeping fishing Farangs

Compliments to hullupullo ..... the only answer with substance and it seem this changment happen since 1st January 2011 .....

I added copy of my passport with the LAO stamp but for most Thai Visa Member it was not a prove of what I said. Most comments was as in a Kindergarden.

challenger before they get around to waiving visa fees in Laos it would be a nice gesture on the part if they could get rid of that stupid rule that it is against the law to have any guests in your hotel room

midas, I am 100% agree with you ..... same we can say for other nice countries arround but I believe, the obligation of visa have also other sense then make profit; espec. communist countries want use this as instrument of stricter controle who go in and out; this is the visa which give chance to check each longer as only with a stamp on arrival. And the chicking of us, of course we have to pay by ourselfs. I have little experience with communist countries from my active time in former COMECON / Eastern countries, depend in political tension there was visa request or not, between my country eg. Poland it changed 5 times during 20 years. I understand if a tourist get the visa fees as only making profit on his head. Look for Thai, they need visa to go to Europe ..... and they pay similar amount .... but we can also believe eg Switzerland, Germany etc. don't want make profit on this but cover his costs to check the application. I think now from Lao it is rather a guesture because Switzerland invest in the Swiss Lao Hospital Project ....! I said I guess, it not must be the reason :jap:

[Maestro]

Sorry also you are wrong as many who say "I don't read or I don't hear"

...

I turn back by car to Lao soon and will get next confirmation that I don't LIE and there is NO DOUBT. But in future what for I try support THAI-VISA member if they are hard to convince? I hope the quality of this site come back.

Nobody wrote that you don't read, that you don't hear, that you lie. Your claim that many did so is flaming. Regarding the quality of this site, thaivisa.com, it suffers when people post wrong information in the visa forum, like the wrong information you wrote saying that "...Europeans...don't need any more any visa if they stay not longer then 15 days and the stamp on arrival is free !!!!" and your subsequent repeated posts insisting that this was correct information.

[challenger99]

Sorry also you are wrong as many who say "I don't read or I don't hear"

...

I turn back by car to Lao soon and will get next confirmation that I don't LIE and there is NO DOUBT. But in future what for I try support THAI-VISA member if they are hard to convince? I hope the quality of this site come back.

Nobody wrote that you don't read, that you don't hear, that you lie. Your claim that many did so is flaming. Regarding the quality of this site, thaivisa.com, it suffers when people post wrong information in the visa forum, like the wrong information you wrote saying that "...Europeans...don't need any more any visa if they stay not longer then 15 days and the stamp on arrival is free !!!!" and your subsequent repeated posts insisting that this was correct information.

read my message right, I am not native English speaking. I never said I don't read or don't hear, I mean ..... people often here say something they ONLY read or hear somewhere but not they live this life as I did when I went to Lao.

I said as I "understod the office worker" European and some others ..... right still now and I can prove it, no visa or entry fees maybe informations was correct but if you don't want, I keep quiet from now in Thai Visa but you shall cancel my profile ...... it seem it isn't possible to do it by ourself, may you need keep members? Badd because there are few very good people as Lopburi etc. I respect and like to read.

[angsta]

I read about this 15 day rule on Udon map maybe 2 or 3 years ago although having lived on the Laos border for a year I have never ever meet anyone who had been able to confirm. The info I had was that if you had a confirmed flight out of the country with 15 days you didn't have to pay the visa fee.

[ROMANOBA]

ALL Asean citizens are exempted for a Laotian Visa and ALL get 21 days.My filipina girlfriend always got to Laos straight, without any need for a visa.

Visas for Laos are needed for all except Japanese visitors. According to agreements made since 2005, ASEAN country citizens should be given free entry for 15 days. However, this is not always the case and some ASEAN citizens (e.g. Indonesian) have reported being charged for entry into Laos. This may also apply at other ASEAN country border control where the free entry agreement has not been implemented or is being ignored.

ASEAN does not include new Zealand and Australia