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Answered6 months ago

What should I do if my 14-day visa-free stay in Laos is about to expire before my DTV visa interview?

Pluto ******
asked May 10, 2026
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I hold a Myanmar passport and I am currently applying for a DTV visa in Vientiane, Laos. I have received an email for an interview appointment on 15 May 2026.

The issue is that I entered Laos under the 14-day visa-free scheme, which will expire on 12 May 2026. What can I do in this situation?
Answer summary
A Myanmar passport holder currently in Laos is facing a dilemma as their 14-day visa-free entry is set to expire before their DTV visa interview on May 15, 2026. Various community responses suggest applying for a Lao eVisa, considering a border bounce to another country, or seeking assistance from local immigration. Some users highlight that extending the 14-day visa-free entry might not be possible, while others recommend contacting the immigration office or finding an agent for assistance. Ultimately, the user is advised to act promptly, as overstaying could complicate their visa application process.
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Emerald********
Emerald********
Ask Laos for fks sake

Always helpless
Pluto ******
Pluto ******
OP
I went to the immigration office this morning, and the officer said I can’t extend my stay because I entered with a 14-day free visa. I already booked a flight to Hanoi for tomorrow. The issue is, do you think it will affect my visa application and interview on May 15, since I will leave and re-enter the country?
Emerald********
Emerald********
Pluto IsMe so helpless go home

Just stay if you want or go and return it’s up to you be an adult
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Visit the Police headquarter. Thais and Burmese citizen can usually get a prolonged stay permit on the Police office. Try your luck there.
Pluto ******
Pluto ******
OP
Thank you all for your suggestions.

I prefer not to exit the country as I heard I should completely stay in the country Laos until the DTV interview has done. Is there any possible way to extend my visa without needing to leave Laos? 🙏
Todd *********
Todd *********
Pluto IsMe find an agent in town who can assist
Shane ***********
Shane ***********
Pluto IsMe try the Laos immigration
Pluto ******
Pluto ******
OP
Thanks 🙏
Dca *****
Dca *****
As the Free Bilateral Visa Exemption Entry into Laos Stay cannot be extended inside Laos, Apply for a Lao eVisa and do a Border Bounce (with another country besides Thailand), and at Lao Arrival Immigration, insist to use the Lao eVisa Entry and NOT the Free Bilateral Visa Exemption Entry

You could also try Lao Visa on Arrival (Lao VoA) Entry, but the Lao Immigration Officer at Arrival may not offer Lao VoA and give out another Free Bilateral Visa Exemption Entry vs. the same possible scenario with Lao eVisa, but more likely the Lao Immigration Officer would give Lao eVisa Entry to Myanmar Passport holders
Pluto ******
Pluto ******
OP
Thanks I’ll try the immigration first.
Pluto ******
Pluto ******
OP
Thank you for your suggestions.

I prefer not to exit the country as I heard I should completely stay in the country Laos until the DTV interview has done. Is there any possible way to extend my visa without needing to leave Laos? 🙏
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
Pluto IsMe it's possible to extend a Laos visa but what he's saying is you can't extend the visa exemption.

You could try going to Laos i

Immigration and describe the situation and see if they consider it an emergency. Unlikely, but I think asking them is the only thing you can do.

Or contact the Thai embassy and see if they can interview you on Monday or Tuesday, you need to be gone on Tuesday but that's possible if they give you the visa. I have heard reports that Vientiane will bring forward interviews in this sort of situation but you've left it very tight.

Overstaying is never recommended, but IIRC it's $10/day and a few days they won't ban you but from Google bans can start from as little as 15 days. Also the Thai embassy may not like it if they ask to see your Laos permission and it's expired.

I'd email back (and maybe phone tomorrow) to plead for interview Monday or Tuesday and also go to Laos Immigration Monday to ask them if there are any options.

Other than that you'll probably have to fly out of Laos somewhere other than Thailand tomorrow or Tuesday and come back for the 15th. Hope the embassy doesn't notice, good chance they don't.
Dca *****
Dca *****
Pluto IsMe You could try going to the Lao Immigration Department for an Extension, but they're probably gonna say no extension for those who made Entry into Laos with Free Bilateral Visa Exemption
Kool *******
Kool *******
Just go into Thailand then immediately return to Laos
Dca *****
Dca *****
Kool Breez Myanmar Passports cannot make overland Entry into Thailand (Thailand Land Borders) with Free Bilateral Visa Exemption ( ผผ.14 )

Myanmar Passports need a Thai E–Visa for Entry at Thailand Land Borders
Kool *******
Kool *******
Dca Dca Then do that.
Jirachote *******
Jirachote *******
Go out and come back again to have time cover that.
John **********
John **********
You need to find a way to stay in Laos

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