Laos Visa at Embassy in Hanoi

Canman63 wrote:

I've always used visa on arrival, very easy and fast. R u looking longer term?

~~~~~

stumpy wrote:

I have been told the e-visa is expensive. Visa on arrival does not take long.

It seems that the opening hours are limited. the visas can take 3 days to be issued at a cost of $45 or there is a same day service for an extra $5.

Visa on arrival is $35.

That was very helpful, Canman63 and stumpy.

I didn't realize that a Visa on Arrival without prior approval was available.

I'm staying for less than 30 days, Canman63.

FYI:

I found this list of entry points where Visa on Arrival is allowed in Laos:

http://immigration.gov.la/checkpoints.html

Thanks very much!

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Canman63 wrote:

I've always used visa on arrival, very easy and fast. R u looking longer term?

~~~~~

stumpy wrote:

I have been told the e-visa is expensive. Visa on arrival does not take long.

It seems that the opening hours are limited. the visas can take 3 days to be issued at a cost of $45 or there is a same day service for an extra $5.

Visa on arrival is $35.

That was very helpful, Canman63 and stumpy.

I didn't realize that a Visa on Arrival without prior approval was available.

I'm staying for less than 30 days, Canman63.

FYI:

I found this list of entry points where Visa on Arrival is allowed in Laos:

http://immigration.gov.la/checkpoints.html

Thanks very much!

CITIZENSHIP

Is this info good for U.S. citizens?

I looked at the list for 30 day visa exemptions.

I don't see the USA on that list.

Unless I find out for certain that Visa on Arrival is good for U.S. citizens, I'll opt for the $5.00 extra to get same-day service at the Embassy.

johnross23 wrote:

Have also always got all of my tourist visas on arrival but it has not always been that fast, especially when arriving overland. You may be familiar with the old joke that the PDR in "Lao PDR" stands for "please don't rush". Anyway, at the same time it usually isn't that long of a wait. I'll be tempted to use the e-visa next time I go though.

You probably already know, but just in case, there's a Lao consulate in Sai Gon at:

93 Duong Pasteur, District l

You might get a more specific answer to your question on the Laos forum:
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=192

Thanks very much, John!

As usual, you are very helpful with good supporting info.

I'm in Quy Nhơn now (finishing up extended dental work begun in June) and I'll be headed directly to Hanoi from here.

Good to know about HCMC option for the future.

I'm looking forward to the possibility of our paths crossing when I return to my new Vũng Tàu apartment in September.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Canman63 wrote:

I've always used visa on arrival, very easy and fast. R u looking longer term?

~~~~~

stumpy wrote:

I have been told the e-visa is expensive. Visa on arrival does not take long.

It seems that the opening hours are limited. the visas can take 3 days to be issued at a cost of $45 or there is a same day service for an extra $5.

Visa on arrival is $35.

That was very helpful, Canman63 and stumpy.

I didn't realize that a Visa on Arrival without prior approval was available.

I'm staying for less than 30 days, Canman63.

FYI:

I found this list of entry points where Visa on Arrival is allowed in Laos:

http://immigration.gov.la/checkpoints.html

Thanks very much!

CITIZENSHIP

Is this info good for U.S. citizens?

I looked at the list for 30 day visa exemptions.

I don't see the USA on that list.

Unless I find out for certain that Visa on Arrival is good for U.S. citizens, I'll opt for the $5.00 extra to get same-day service at the Embassy.

'Visa exemption' and 'visa on arrival' are two different things. Americans don't get the visa exemption, but do get a visa on arrival. Similar to Cambodia, you can just show up at the airport or border crossing, fill out the form, give them a photo and 35 bucks. Then, 5 or 10 minutes later, your passport is returned with a shiny sticker and an entry stamp. If you cross by land they sometimes charge an extra $1 on weekends and evenings. I assume you are flying in from Ha Noi though. You might consider going directly to Luang Pabang rather than Vientiane.

Anyway, getting your visa in advance will obviously save you some time upon arrival.

I'm looking forward to the possibility of our paths crossing when I return to my new Vũng Tàu apartment in September.

We can split a bottle or three of Stolichnaya. Which do you prefer, the Bearded Clam or the Hot Lips Bar?

johnross23 wrote:

...getting your visa in advance will obviously save you some time upon arrival.

I think so too.

Besides, I'll get to experience the Laos Embassy and report back on the current situation there.

johnross23 wrote:

Which do you prefer, the Bearded Clam or the Hot Lips Bar?

Those places are way too high class for me 😉

Do they serve Stoli at Art Mio?

We can watch local kids peeing in the second floor tree planter...

(True story)

johnross23 wrote:

Which do you prefer, the Bearded Clam or the Hot Lips Bar?

Those places are way too high class for me 😉

Do they serve Stoli at Art Mio?

We can watch local kids peeing in the second floor tree planter...

(True story)

Well, that sounds appropriately low class although certainly not my idea of fun. Anyway, I was just kidding about the vodka. I've been to Art Mio but several years ago, so I know that it's a fairly nice but popular place.

Another place we might consider is Chill Garden but that is highly dependent upon the weather. Or Kozak if you have any interest in beetroot salad.

Anyway, send a pm when you make it back to Geezerville.