Answered8 years ago

What are the requirements and process for getting a Laos visa from the Thai consulate in Vientiane?

Thai visa Laos visa visa application process Thailand expat advice visa on arrival Vientiane consulate

Tod *********

asked Nov 21, 2018

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Victoria Kjos  posted in another thread about getting a visa at the thai consulate in Vientiane. 

So from reading prior posts, you had to have a certain amount of USD  to buy a Laos visa upon arrival is that correct? 

And, you applied in a.m. and picked up visa next day is that also right? 

Sorry, I'm a "newbie"...my first experience with the JOYS of the Thai visa system. Was planning to go to Burma, but this sounds perhaps easier.

Answer summary

To obtain a Laos visa from the Thai consulate in Vientiane, you do not need US dollars; payment can be made in Thai baht. The application should be submitted in the morning before 11:30 AM, and you can pick up your visa the next afternoon after 1:30 PM. However, using US dollars for the visa payment might be cheaper compared to paying in baht, especially for Europeans.

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Billy ********

Why do you need pay for visa in Lao don't you get one on arrival or waver

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Billy *******

this is a picture of the signage at a border to Lao listing the visa on arrival fees :O

8 years ago

Tod *********

Read the visa policies of Lao and see what countries get into there for free and what countries BUY a visa on arrival when the show up

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8 years ago

Liam *****

You don't NEED US$ for the Laos visa, but it's much cheaper if you do. The visa is $30 or $35 for most Europeans but 1500b if you pay in baht, which is a fair old difference. It's less of an issue for Americans and Canadians, who, for reasons unknown, pay more ($50 and $42 respectively, I think)

8 years ago

Philip *********

@Liam ****

for US is $35 so I assume then 1500

If you pay in baht .

8 years ago

Tod *********

You don't NEED US dollars to buy the lao visa on arrival you can pay in thai baht.

You apply for the visa at the thai consulate in the morning one day before 11:30 and you pick up your passport and pay for the visa the next afternoon after 1:30.

8 years ago

Christopher *********

And there is a 1 USD surcharge for evenings and weekends. Not a scam as some foreigners have grumbled about. It is signposted at the visa registration window.

8 years ago

Steve *******

@Haldis *********

. Yes, the Laos government waived the visa on arrival fee for citizens of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark

8 years ago

Jacco ***********

@Tod ********

Oh sorry, I thought the claim was in regards to THB. In fact, I once paid in USD at FSB3 because I had some left over from Cambodia, I paid with 50 USD, and gave me back 20, even though for me the visa is and has always been 35 USD :)

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Jacco **********

crisp US dollars is what we're talking about., ;) they'll take ratty thai baht..

8 years ago

Jacco ***********

I have always paid for the lao visa in THB, as it costs more to obtain USD then the price difference which is only about 250 baht give or take. Inside Lao, it is always better to pay for things in LAK or THB then USD anyway. I never had a problem with them accepting crisp notes, and I must have crossed into Lao over 30 times already at various border crossings, but mainly FSB1 or FSB3.

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Damien ******

, the price of a visa on arrival to Lao varies by nationality, some get in for free, Canadianz pay the most at 42USD.

8 years ago

Haldis **********

I'm on my way back from Laos now, I didn't have to pay anything to get in to Laos.

8 years ago

Álvaro **********

Maybe it's worth to say that you don't need US$, but if pay with THB the price is higher. And, they only accept crispy new notes, reject notes with tear, writes...

For the Thai consulate, it's mandatory to pay baht - it's easy to get baht in any exchange in Vientiane.

8 years ago