Can I get a visa upon arrival in Laos?
Laos Visas: Tourist visas are available on arrival at select airports and border crossings, granting a 30-day stay. Extendable up to 90 days total via the Vientiane Department of Immigration. E-visas are also an option at designated entry points. Check specific entry requirements before travel.
Visa on Arrival in Laos?
Landed in Luang Prabang (LPQ) last November 15th, got my visa right there. Thirty days, no hassle.
Visa on arrival is super easy for most nationalities at major Laos entry points. Think airports like LPQ, Vientiane (VTE), Pakse (PKZ). Thirty days is the standard.
Extended mine in Vientiane at the immigration office. Cost about $2/day, if I recall. Got an extra 60 days, no problem. This was back in December.
E-visa is also an option now, but I just did visa on arrival. Seemed simpler. It’s good for 30 days.
Heard they prefer USD for visa fees. Make sure you have some crisp bills.
Can I pay Laos visa on arrival with Thai baht?
Thai baht? At the airport, absolutely not. US dollars only. This is unyielding, a hard fact. The crisp green bills, the weight of them. A ritual.
Overland, though… ah, a different story unfolds. The border, a breath between worlds, whispers possibilities. Thai baht works, but…
- The price swells. It’s a transformation, a metamorphosis of money. One thousand five hundred baht.
- Forty-eight dollars. The exchange feels wrong, a subtle sting. A hidden cost. The land itself seems to demand more. The scent of dust and diesel.
- US dollars remain the most reliable option. This is a truth, etched in the experience of travelers. A lesson learned.
- Avoid unexpected expenses. Plan meticulously. This is a pilgrimage, not a casual stroll.
The feeling of crossing. That hazy border landscape, steeped in the scent of unknown spices and distant rain. Always remember the weight of the dollars, the firmness of the baht’s paper against your palm. Each a story. Each a choice. The Laos visa. A tangible step into a different world. The air shifts, a weight changes. The journey’s beginning.
How much is a visa on arrival for Laos?
The Laos visa on arrival currently costs $35 USD or 1500 Thai baht. That’s what it was last time I checked, anyway. You’ll need your UK passport—obviously—plus a passport photo. They stamp the visa right in your passport. Pretty straightforward.
It’s a fascinating system, this whole visa-on-arrival thing. Think about it: instantaneous border control, a momentary suspension of national sovereignty for a fee. A microcosm of globalization, perhaps?
Here’s the breakdown:
- Cost: $35 USD or 1500 THB. This can fluctuate, so double-check the official sites before you travel. I’ve been caught off guard by currency changes before. Really annoying.
- Passport: Essential, and it needs to have, you know, sufficient validity remaining—like at least six months. I learned that the hard way.
- Photo: A recent passport photo. Don’t even think about using one from your 2018 holiday.
One thing to note: While the fee is officially set, some travelers have reported experiencing slightly higher charges at certain border crossings. This might be down to petty corruption or simply regional pricing differences. I, for one, had a perfectly smooth and transparent experience. But that’s just my experience. Always have a bit extra cash on hand for unexpected situations.
It’s a small price to pay, really. Compared to the headaches of obtaining a visa in advance, the convenience is worth it. Besides, who doesn’t like a good stamp in their passport? It’s a lovely souvenir.
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