Print Laos visa on arrival form?

[Myran]

Hi,

I'm going to Laos next week via the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai, and I was wondering if they will accept a printed visa on arrival form? The one I found online was this one https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/Workshops-and-Seminars/bsg/201207/Documents/visa-application.pdf though I seem to remember that I filled out more than one page the last time I went to Laos, which was less than a year ago. Has anyone used this form successfully at the Laos immigration opposite Nong Khai?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Don't think it'll be acceptable, seems like Lao Immigration at Thannaleng likes their own form, with their stamp on it, and on their own paper.

Two forms needed:

-- application for Visa on Arrival

-- Entry-Exit card, half of which will be returned to you for presentation on departure

However, give it a shot, and if I'm wrong, let us know how it goes.

Mac

[jacksam]

What's the point. You lose a few minutes if that. I think ubonjoe posted a link for current form. But don't worry. Just grab the form when there and presto. Don't even worry about USD. There is a window 3 that has exchange and reasonable rate.

Bring your snaps. This part is the easy bit.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

The point?

Well, for me, I usually request one or two or more, depending on the mood of the Lao guy at the window handing out the forms, that I use on subsequent trips. Sure helps if there's a bus of foreigners arriving at the same time to have both forms already filled out.

And, thx for the reminder about the photo, only one required. I have several clipped into the back of my passport.

Mac

[jacksam]

The point?

Well, for me, I usually request one or two or more, depending on the mood of the Lao guy at the window handing out the forms, that I use on subsequent trips. Sure helps if there's a bus of foreigners arriving at the same time to have both forms already filled out.

And, thx for the reminder about the photo, only one required. I have several clipped into the back of my passport.

Mac

Mr organized. Fill in the form while in the queue. Maybe the op hasn't been there before. Sounds not. So he has not been able to come up with the concept of collecting forms for subsequent trips. I was there 3 weeks ago and there were forms everywhere. I just grabbed it and filled in the enormous queue of 5 people. Must of missed the bus. The few snaps was referring to maybe he was going on to Vientiane for Thai visa. In any event yes having a form pre done would be handy, but not a big deal

[Myran]

The point?

Well, for me, I usually request one or two or more, depending on the mood of the Lao guy at the window handing out the forms, that I use on subsequent trips. Sure helps if there's a bus of foreigners arriving at the same time to have both forms already filled out.

And, thx for the reminder about the photo, only one required. I have several clipped into the back of my passport.

Mac

Mr organized. Fill in the form while in the queue. Maybe the op hasn't been there before. Sounds not. So he has not been able to come up with the concept of collecting forms for subsequent trips. I was there 3 weeks ago and there were forms everywhere. I just grabbed it and filled in the enormous queue of 5 people. Must of missed the bus. The few snaps was referring to maybe he was going on to Vientiane for Thai visa. In any event yes having a form pre done would be handy, but not a big deal

I've been to this immigration checkpoint before and my experience was quite different than yours, I can assure you of that. Two busloads of people arrived at the checkpoint just before me, and after they had collected their forms they seemed to have run out. Had I had my own printed forms allready filled out, I could have gotten in line and been done in a few minutes, but instead I had to wait for about 25 minutes for them to start handing out forms again, and then about 30-40 minutes more waiting in line since the busloads of people still hadn't been processed. Getting more forms for future use was out of the questions since they pretty much slammed the window shut after finally handing me my forms.

Did that satisfactory explain "the point"? Perhaps you should learn to think beyond your nose and come to the realization that just because there were five people standing in line when you were there, that is not necessarily the case at other times.

Regardless, I will bring the printed form, see how it goes and then report back.

[Myran]

Went through immigration today. Took a van from Udon airport for 200B and arrived at the border at the same time as a busload of Vietnamese. Managed to sneakily sprint ahead of them to the form handout window, but regretfully smashed my thumb beyond recognition with my bag when I gracefully scampered over a railing I managed to get myself on the wrong side of.

Showed the handout-lady my printed form, and she said "Can take, but maybe problem later". I didn't get any further explanation, but decided it wasn't worth the risk since I was first in line anyway and there were only a few people standing in the line for window 1. She firmly denied me a second form for future use.

Just had to copy all the info I had entered on my printed form and finished well ahead of the Vietnamese. Thought I would have to pay 1,500 baht, but got 650 back from the 2,000 I handed over. After that I just walzed through immigration and caught the 30 baht bus into town, which at no extra cost had a dripping air condition unit above me which made it look like I had peed myself. Sweet.

Edit: Typo

Edited September 8, 2015 by Myran

[jacksam]

Two busloads of people arrived at the checkpoint just before me, and after they had collected their forms they seemed to have run out. Had I had my own printed forms allready filled out, I could have gotten in line and been done in a few minutes, but instead I had to wait for about 25 minutes for them to start handing out forms again, and then about 30-40 minutes more waiting in line since the busloads of people still hadn't been processed.

May I ask what day you encounted so many bus loads?

[mahtin]

Thanks for the report - been trying to gouge info on cost of visa-on-arrival out of not-so-user-friendly search machine giggle, gargle or spy.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Another immigration form to collect for later use is the Thai Arrival/Departure card. Right handy when you arrive back in Thailand at Nong Khai at the same time as a bus load and the other folks are scrambling for the few cards available on the tables, or none, and you then waltz up to the window with your card already filled out.

Mac