They require two copies of passport and a copy of the Lao visa now.You have to line up now to get a number and a check of your application,then sit down and wait for your number to be called and a check of passport and papers,then go inside to queue up again for another look at papers, and then head over to another counter to pay the fee.So it is up to 4 counters from only 2 when I was there last.

I was in at 9am and out 11.45,not to bad for a Monday morning

Thanks for the update