VIENTIANE : Update on the current queue system
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Despite people complaining about the delay in getting an appointment etc i figured i shared my recent experience.
Whoever has been there in the past prolly remembers having to get there stupid early.
Some might remember the caos inside with literally hundreds of people.
Seems those days are over.
The appointment email says 9.00-12.00
I know some consulates narrow it further down to a specific half hour window, which might seem like a good idea but isn't. What happens is people that had 9 to 9:30 show up at 10.
Since they have an earlier appointment they wanna be taken care of right away. Which conflicts with the people who actually show up on time to their 10am appointment. That leaves consulate officers doing nothing or with spare time at 9:30 and crazy busy at 10 with appointments having to be pushed forward.
So.... 1 window of time. And calling in order (by queue number) within that window and skipping whoever is not there seems to work best.
I had 116. This queue number is in the confirmation email which one must show to get inside the consulate, show at document screening, and then show at the actual window. Also show on pickup. Since u gotta keep on showing it i would say PRINT that email.
Yes: they DO accept mobile devices (show screen) but i was glad i had it printed out as it was easier than pulling out the phone every time the volunteers wanted to check.
NOTE: Remember u might not have internet access so take a screenshot if planing on using ur mobile.
ACTUAL QUEUEING:
Got there early (7.40am). There was no actual queue outside. Everybody was scattered as they all knew they had a queue number.
When doors opened they let people in 1 by 1 checking u had an appointment and what kind of visa u were applying for.
Once inside its divided into 2 areas. A general waiting area, a document check desk with volunteers/ trainees, and then the actual window u hand in the documents.
They called 1 to 20 and those within that range proceed (in any order) to the document check desk. If clear (u had all that is needed for whatever visa u r applying for), then to the actual window to hand things in.
Positive note: in the old days a LOT of time was wasted by people not having the correct documents. The pre-check desk takes care of this so now the actual visa window flows a lot faster.
Not all 20 people were there so out of 1-20 maybe 10 people went by then they called 20-40 and so forth.
I, being 116, was called, processed and out the door at 9.20am (20 min after they opened).
They give u a paper receipt that u show to get into the consulate on day 2 (pickup).
DAY 2:
Exact same procedure.
No more going inside the building, all gets done outside in the exact same area and steps.
Day 2 it seemed more people did show up at 13:30 sharp (the pickup window is 13:30-16:00)
Since more people were there when they called the first 1-20 almost all 20 people went to stand in queue.
(Again no specific orden within those 20)
The queue number is the same as the previous day and u gotta show it a few more times.
Being 116 it took a bit longer.
Got to the window, paid and picked up my passport at 14:05 (35 min after opened).
TIPS:
1- Dont go crazy early. No longer necessary. If u have a queue above 100 i would just show up 10am on DAY 1 and about 14:00 on DAY 2.
2- Have the appointment printed as they check it multiple times.
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Yes u might need to book 2 weeks in advance but the way i see it is:
There were lots of expats doing visas. If thats the case u should already know when ur stamp (whichever u r on) runs out... just book an appointment.
Tourists: if u are a tourist then u r most likely to have a travel itinerary. U already know which days u r gonna be in Vientiane... just book ahead.
If u are able to book a flight 2 weeks in advance to save a few bucks i see no difficulty in booking a visa appointment.
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All in all a very organized process which is light years away from what it used to.
