What should I know about getting a visa on arrival in Laos and currency exchange at the border?

Same thing might happen in Thailand!

Last year they steal tea money from people who cross border back to Thailand🤡

My wife's home is near Nong Khai....been to Laos a few times and would return again regularly for shopping day trips but just not worth the visa hassle. Shame the little Lao people pay for this petty corruption.

I recently paid $50 for e-visa through government agency and felt this was excessive.

You know they need their tea 🍵 money!

Border bounce? If you cheating the system, maybe you need to pay MORE....

I've crossed the Laos border three times in two different locations. Nong Khai and Chiang Khong. I paid 1900 baht at each location separated by over a two year time period. I always got change! This account seems to be missing a little reality, truth or comprehension. 🤷

“Did” they!?? 😱

Just do it online and pay the exact amount

Which border crossing?

Have an Asian rate and Farang rate. Unless correct money you will always pay more.

I crossed the border at Chiang khong and it costs me Forty US dollars 4 days ago plus 25 baht for the bus to get across the bridge

It cost a lot for the Families to get a immigration job for the son. Somehow must come the money back.

Wait till you come back to Thailand and the Laos officers ask you for 300 to cross back hahaha if not you can sit and wait 3 hours haha

I lost 100 e in Laos with

12 go

Not refunding tickets when train cancelled

Yeah that would break the bank for me. I will look elsewhere to live on $20.00

Always carry smaller bills in these countries. So you have the exact amount.

I went a few times, and it was always cheaper to pay in USD with exact change.

You need between US$ 40 (all nationalities except Chinese or Vietnamese citizens US$ 20)*, one passport-size photo (4 x 6 cm), the name of a hotel or guesthouse and phone number. Those without a photo will have to pay an additional fee of about US$ 2. On weekends there is an additional $1 service fee. It is recommended to pay in US$. No other foreign currencies are accepted at Airports (you may be lucky to have Thai Baht accepted sometimes). At some Lao-Thai land border crossings you can use Thai Baht, but the Visa fee becomes about 1,700 THB which is approx. $48 . . . . . . . . . . %20is%20recommended%20to%20pay,$48.

The cost of a Laos visa on arrival is approximately 1,700 to 2,000 Thai Baht, but it can vary depending on the specific border crossing and the condition of the currency, according to forum posts.

It's often recommended to pay in pristine US dollars to avoid issues with exchange rates, but Thai Baht are sometimes accepted at land border crossings.

***The cost of a Laos visa-on-arrival generally ranges from USD 30 to USD 45, but the exact amount depends on your nationality.

For example, US citizens typically pay USD 35, while Canadians pay USD 42.

There may also be an additional $1 fee for processing on weekends or outside of regular hours.

***Some nationalities, like Chinese and Vietnamese citizens, may have a lower fee of USD 20.

Some sources also mention that the fee can be higher at certain crossings or during specific times (e.g., weekends, holidays), with additional fees for overtime or processing.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

***USD Equivalent: The visa fee is typically around $35-$40 USD.

*** Thai Baht: At land borders, the equivalent in Thai Baht can be around 1,700 to 2,000 THB.

*** Fluctuations:

The exact amount in Thai Baht can fluctuate based on the current exchange rate and whether the border crossing accepts Thai Baht.

***Additional Fees:

Be prepared for potential minor additional fees for things like passport photos, weekend/holiday surcharges, or processing fee

Yeah they are a bit shady there at Nong Khai. The lady who takes your money, passport, and hands you the arrival card. USD notes are cheaper, buy them in baht on the north side of that same building, very very fair exchange rate.

Visa fee 40USD, 1700 THB is $52+

So flying is the best option?

Yeah lao land border officials are all like this. Never go into Laos by land or at least prefer to be small scammed to death like this. I had an experience where both Cambodian and Lao officials colluded to get me for every bit of USD in my wallet I had before leaving me with just enough to move on. They informed each other on how much they had seen in my wallet originally. Purposely damaging bills slightly when they got their hands on them so I had to take a "discount" To exchange them with their counter part s and a ton of not so nickle and dime scams that all added to my having to pay $50 to $100 USD more than I had planned. I don't remember exactly

It's a nice gesture to tell them to go have a coffee with what would normally be change. You will certainly get a smile in return and it never hurts to be on the good side of immigration.

What does this even mean?

. . . . . The Laos Visa-on-Arrival has ALWAYS, since many many years, cost 40 U.S. Dollars or 1900.- Baht plus 100.- Baht if you didn't supply a passport picture. So at all Thai / Laos borders, it is 2000 THB for the visa-on-arrival . . . . . I don't know where you found that number 1700 Baht. It must have been another false info from ChatGPT, or you are referring to an 25 year old website

If you don't have the local currency they will give you a terrible exchange rate. Even if you buy things at the market or in stores. If you do decide to get the local currency forget about changing it back to baht or any other currency for anything more than half of what it's wroth. It was rigged from the start.