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Which is better for entering Laos: an eVisa or a visa on arrival?

Laos eVisaVisa on Arrival (VOA)Travel to LaosVisa RegulationsThai Expat Guide
Jan 1, 2023
2 years ago
James ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Which is recommended, getting a Laos eVisa or visa on arrival at the airport?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the preference for either obtaining a Laos eVisa or a visa on arrival (VOA) at the airport. Several comments suggest that there are no significant advantages to choosing the eVisa when a VOA is available. Many travelers find the VOA to be more convenient and cost-effective, especially for US and Canadian citizens. Additionally, it's noted that some Lao land borders no longer offer VOA services, though this primarily affects adventurous travelers. Overall, if a VOA option exists, it is generally seen as the better choice.
Paul *******
Some Lao land borders no longer offer a VOA service, neither does Savannakhet airport. However, none of these border crossings mentioned are ones which most travelers use. Only adventurous travelers and those who know the region well usually choose to cross at such remote borders. As for Savannakhet airport, you can't get there directly from Bangkok as the flight lands in Pakse first where a visa on arrival is available so the lack of visa on arrival service at Savannakhet airport won't be an issue for anyone as they don't offer any direct flights from abroad.
2 years ago
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Bä ****
VOA cheaper just have your hotel address where you’re staying and phone number and $40 for US Citizen
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Bä ***
 ...and $51.75:for Canadians.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
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Sam *********
E visas only seem beneficial when going to countries where a visa on arrival isn’t available, meaning your other option besides an e visa would be a consulate or embassy visit. If you can get one on arrival, that’s usually the best bet.
2 years ago
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Lynnette *******
VOA?
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
@Lynnette ******
 yes, many qualify for a VOA for Laos.
2 years ago
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Lynnette *******
@Duncan ******
 oh didnt know that.
2 years ago
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Lynnette *******
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Mark *********
No benefit to evisa
2 years ago
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Paul *******
There is in terms of time saved and a page in your passport too but for many people not necessary or worth it, especially dual citizens who probably won't be able to fill up all the pages in their passports.
2 years ago
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Yaroslav ***********
@Paul ******
 Ah, OK, so this is what matters to me. So e-visa is just a small (-ish) entry and exit stamps, without a full page visa sticker, right? If so, that's a decisive factor to me. Can you (or anyone else who used Laos electronic visa) confirm this? TIA.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Yaroslav **********
 e-visa only works at a small number of entry checkpoints. Double check to see which ones.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Yaroslav **********
 Correct. Just a small stamp.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Yaroslav **********
 Yes. I got an evisa. On mine, 1. the entry visa sticker and 2. entry stamp and 3. exit stamp take up about 2.5" X 4" on one passport page or say half of one passport page.
2 years ago
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Yaroslav ***********
@Mark ********
 OK, thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to know.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Yaroslav **********
 The three items were all together in a rectangular block. Don't know if this is always the case.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
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Mark *********
Paul James. It does take some time to do the evisa and with the page you print off you must still give it to a teller with your passport for them to stamp it. They still do put a relatively small Visa stamp in your page. Is the VOA a big one?
2 years ago
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Yaroslav ***********
@Mark ********
 Unless something changed in recent years, visa on arrival is a full page sticker PLUS then also entry and exit stamps, so a page and a half just for Laos, which by itself can be a sufficient reason to avoid it for some.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Yaroslav **********
 I get that and agree with you. Thanks
2 years ago
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Mark *********
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Jon *****
@Mark ********
 42 dollars for Canadians... Not worth getting an e-visa

**************************************
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Jon ****
 Thanks
2 years ago
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Jon *****
@Mark ********
 👍and more expensive
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Jon ****
 All countries pay a different Visa cost varying from $30-50 +/- US.
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Jon ****
 I paid $51.75 US for money as a Canadian.
2 years ago
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Jon *****
@Mark ********
 Yes it's only 40 USD for VOA
2 years ago
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Mark *********
@Jon ****
 The price depends on your passport. Canadians pay the highest rate.
2 years ago
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Jon *****
@Mark ********
 Yes, you are right, it's 42 dollars for Canadians... Still cheaper than an e-visa
2 years ago
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Jon *****
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James ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
2 years ago
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James ***********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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