What are the latest updates on Thai visa runs and Lao visa options for expats in Thailand?

Thai Border Bounce or Thai Visa Run with Laos

Free Lao Visa Exemption, Lao eVisa (on Arrival), and Lao Visa on Arrival (VoA)–Latest Updates as of February 2023

Sabaidee Everyone!

The following countries' Ordinary passports have Free Lao Visa Exemption for entry into Laos by Duration of Stay:

30 Days

Mongolia, Russia, South Korea (RoK), 8 ASEAN countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

15 Days

Japan, Luxembourg, Switzerland

14 Days

Myanmar

Unfortunately, in the past, there were more countries who had free visa exemption for a special one-time tourism promotion back in 2018....

Lao eVisa

It is an electronic Lao Tourist Visa for a stay of = 30 Days

Lao eVisa is applied and paid for via their website ( [members only]/ ) and the approval letter is sent via email and should be printed out and taken to a Lao Border Gate that has Lao eVisa availability for a Lao eVisa sticker to be placed in the passport.

Pro's:

–Sticker to be put into Passport is much smaller than a Lao Visa on Arrival (Lao VoA) or regular Lao visa

–Processing times from online application to approval email is reported by quite a few to be 1-2 Days

Your Mileage May Vary:

–There is a separate queue and window for Lao eVisa instead of the Lao VoA and quite a few have reported that queue wait times have significantly improved since fully re-opening last year

Con's:

–Cost is more than a Lao VoA with Lao eVisa = USD $55.- Dollars vs. Lao VoA = USD $40.- Dollars

–Need to apply for and wait for approval email beforehand vs. Walk-up for Lao VoA

Locations of Lao Border Gates where Lao eVisa is currently available:

• Nong Khai–Vientiane (Friendship Bridge #1 / FB #1),

• Mukdahan–Savannakhet (FB #2),

• Nakhon Phanom–Thakhek (FB #3),

• Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai–Houayxai (FB #4),

• Wattay Airport (Vientiane),

• Luang Prabang Airport,

• Pakse Airport,

• a couple places not bordering with Thailand.

Lao Visa on Arrival (Lao VoA)

–Cost = USD $40.- Dollars, also:

Chinese and Vietnamese passports = USD $20.- Dollars

–Available for all types of Lao visas, but typically issued a Lao Tourist Visa for a stay of = 30 Days

In addition to all Border Gates where Lao eVisa is available (Friendship Bridges, Airports, etc.), Lao VoA is also available for the following Thailand–Laos Border Gates:

• Chong Mek, Ubon Ratchathani–Vang Tao, Champassak,

• Golden Triangle Boat Ferry.

Unfortunately, in the past, there were more locations with Lao VoA. Hopefully, they will have more locations with Lao VoA again in the future....

NOTE: Lao VoA nor Lao eVisa are NOT available for 27+ countries! These 27+ countries need prior Approval from the Lao PDR Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lao PDR MoFA) ≈

Passport holders of these 27+ countries need to use a Lao 'Visa Run' Service/Company/Shop for the Approval and then Need to Apply at a Lao Embassy or Consulate for a Lao Visa in order to gain any entry into Laos!