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What is the best strategy for queuing at the visa application office in Vientiane on a Monday?

Vientiane Visa Application Queue Strategy Thailand Visa Visa Processing Times Expat Advice NON-O Visa Lao Immigration Procedures

Jun 3, 2018

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anybody been in a Monday queue in Vientiane recently? I've got to do so tomorrow, and am thinking to arrive by 6:30 AM. Any thoughts on timing strategy?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion focuses on queuing strategies for the visa application office in Vientiane, particularly on a Monday when it's known to be busy. Many contributors suggest arriving very early (around 6:30 AM or earlier) to secure a lower application number, thus minimizing waiting time, especially for those needing to travel soon after. Others explain that arriving later is an option if you can afford to wait until Tuesday, but express concerns about the increase in crowds on busy days. A few comments also highlight changes in the visa application process over the years, making it important for applicants to stay updated.

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Ivan ************

It depends on how much you need to get out of there early Tuesday. If you are not in a rush to get out Tuesday you can turn up at 11 Monday and miss most of the queue. You'll then get a high number for Tuesday pick up so would want to go pick up late, maybe 15:00, just make sure you are there before the cut off as they cancel your visa if you don't pick it up next day. You only need to go super early on Monday if you NEED a low number because you want to get out early on Tuesday (say to get a same day flight back to Chiang Mai). If you can stay over Tuesday night, either in Vientiane or Udon, it's not so critical to go so early.

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Mike ********

Tuesday is better a lot of services go on monday

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Jade *********

Yes. Both times I went to Vientiane I got in the Monday morning queue. I think I was there for about 3 hours. Get there EARLY. Like, go an hour and a half before the time it opens.

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Ted *******

Usually there are guys outside offering taxis, say you'll go with one of those for like 200 baht and they run in and get you an early number. Means you just have to turn up 10 minutes before opening to do some scouting around

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Ted *******

I have done both tourist and type o, they used to be the same, I just put my 2 pence in

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Ivan ************

right, I don't think that works any more. You used get a number first and then people submitted their applications (at the window) in order of the number. The "agents" would collect low numbers and you could buy these from one of the guys outside.

They changed this around maybe two years ago to a system where there is just a queue to put in your application, there are no numbers to apply any more, and they take your application at a little desk at the front of the queue, you don't go to the window any more for a tourist visa, only non-immigrant go to the window. I think this is when the "no agents" sign went up as well.

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Ted *******

@Ivan ***********

this was the queue for application, admittedly been a few years

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Ivan ************

Are you sure Ted? They don't do it that way any more in Vientiane, there are no numbers given out in advance. You only get a number when you submit your actual application. You can't pick up a number in advance without the application to give them.

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Ted *******

Jay Nase using the language barrier as an advantage and plain cheekiness and everyone is on best behaviour because they want visas I imagine. It's only collecting a number card at that point

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Jason ******

how are the guys at the tuktuks outside able to cut in front of everyone waiting and go up to the table? then couldnt anybody just go to the front of the line and wait hoping someone is nice enough not to say anything to him for cutting?

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Ted *******

Zoe Addams I know it totally wouldn't fly in any other place. However, lots of other people are doing it and I don't want to be the plum at the back so I go with the flow ;)

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Ted *******

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Jeremy ********

Monday is the day when all the visa run companies come to the consulate there with full busses...they get through the border by 7-8 am

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Jeremy ********

@Ivan ***********

and any day after a Thai/Lao Holiday is even worse

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Ivan ************

Thursday is second worst day

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Aaron ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah, will be there before 7am,just for kicks.

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Jeremy ********

if you’re in Vientiane why not show up early and wait in line...but the line moves fast as they close by 1200 for visas

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Aaron ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I believe it's a good 3-5 years since I was here on a Monday. Got there at 7am or so, and then, yes, buses full of hotel employees and others showed up. I was in the first 10,staring down the line at a crowd of more than 300 by the time the gate opened. I think crowd avoidance means I'll go early again.

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Jeremy ********

If you’re getting a WP you only lose the least amount of time

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Jeremy ********

Samuel Fila they leave tonight get to the border around 5am or so then get through and to the consulate

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Jeremy ********

Samuel Fila but it’s more traffic on Monday

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Jeremy ********

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Gavin **********

We were there on openimg a few weeks ago numbered 250 in queue. Waited about 1 hour. Why come at 7? Wait longer. Only advanrage short wsit next day. UP TO YOU

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Dylan ********

Was there about a month ago. The Tuesday was a holiday so I was expecting Monday to be busy but it wasn’t. Got there maybe 30 mins before open. Maybe just luck.

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Dylan ********

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