Laos Tourist Visa - Does Using The Touts Help?

[modafinil]

Hello,

I'm pretty concerned about all the reports of people struggling to get tourist visas in Laos. I may or may not "have too many visas in my passport" - I have an expired ED visa, an expired non-immigrant multiple O from Hull and 4 "visa on arrival" stamps. I haven't yet applied for a tourist visa of any kind, but I don't know if this will help me or not.

I arrive in Laos early tomorrow morning. Will using the touts outside the embassy improve my chances of getting the double-entry tourist visa that I want? How much would I have to pay?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[terak69]

You should be OK with Tourist Visa - but it is the back to back TR's that appear to be the problem ie after 4 (1 year) your not considered a tourist anymore

[modafinil]

OK, I'll give it a try. I would be happy to use the touts if it increased my chances of getting a tourist visa - any opinions on the matter would be helpful, I'm going to the Laos embassy tomorrow.