How much is the visa on arrival in Laos?
Laos visa on arrival typically costs $30-$42 USD, varying by nationality. Be aware of a potential $1 USD surcharge for arrivals outside of standard business hours (before 8 AM or after 4 PM) or if a photo is taken at the immigration desk.
How much is a Laos visa on arrival?
Okay, so you wanna know ’bout a Laos visa on arrival, huh? Lemme tell ya, based on my own lil’ escapade…
The Laos visa on arrival typically costs between USD 30 and USD 42. This depends on your nationality. There’s a possible USD 1 fee, too.
Honestly, I was kinda confused at first. Seems simple now, but standing there at the Luang Prabang airport (it was like, maybe October ’22?), I thought it’d be cheaper.
That extra dollar? Could hit ya if arriving super early (before 8 AM) or late (after 4 PM). Or if they gotta snap a photo of you right there. Which, trust me, you don’t want.
I remember fumbling for the right bills. Cost me about $35 USD I think. I swear I saw somone pay $40 USD tho. Definetly pays to have small denomination notes.
Word to the wise, have that photo ready. Save yourself a headache. And maybe a wrinkly forehead in the photo.
Which is better, eVisa or visa on arrival?
Ugh, Bali airport, 2023. Sweating. Seriously sweating. Landed after like, 16 hours of flying. Visa on arrival line snaked forever. My stomach hurt. So hungry. Saw a family get turned away. Turned away. Right there. Kids crying. Brutal. My eVisa? Sailed through immigration. Straight to the beach. Best nasi goreng ever.
- eVisa: Less stress. Guaranteed entry (mostly). Faster processing. Did I mention less stress?
- Visa on arrival: Risky. Chance of rejection. Long lines. Who needs that after a long flight?
Remember that Aussie couple? Denied. Something about their passport photos. Crazy. I pre-booked my eVisa online. Easy peasy. Cost a bit more, but worth it. Peace of mind, you know? Like, actual, real peace of mind. Plus, Bali belly hit me hard later. Glad I wasn’t dealing with visa stuff then. Would have lost it.
Which countries are free visa for Laos?
Brunei. 14 days. Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand. 30. Myanmar. 14. Vietnam. 15 days. Luxembourg. 90. Done.
- Brunei: 14 days visa-free
- Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand: 30 days visa-free
- Myanmar: 14 days visa-free
- Vietnam: 15 days visa-free
- Luxembourg: 90 days visa-free
Passport validity crucial. Check specific entry requirements. Things change. Your nationality matters. Visa policies shift. Don’t get stuck. Confirm details. With the Lao embassy. Or your own government. Before you fly.
Is visa on arrival available in Laos?
Laos. The whisper of the Mekong, a slow, swirling current pulling at time itself. Thirty days. A fleeting breath in the vastness. Visa on arrival. A stamp, a permission, a small act of surrender to this beautiful, ancient land. The paper itself, crisp and new, holds a promise. A promise of temples clinging to mist-shrouded mountains.
Luang Prabang. Sunlight filtering through leaves. The scent of incense, lingering, a memory you’ll carry long after the visa expires. Sixty more days. An extension, a negotiation with bureaucracy, a plea to remain. Vientiane, a distant hum, the promise of officialdom, the possibility of more time.
This land. This feeling. It pulls you in, a gentle gravity. The slow pace, the warmth of the people. Everything feels different. Time stretches, compresses, bends. Thirty days insufficient. Sixty might not be enough. More. I need more.
- Visa on Arrival: Available at select entry points.
- Initial Stay: 30 days. A blink.
- Extension: Possible, up to 60 additional days. Apply in Vientiane, the capital’s heart beating with red tape.
- eVisa Option: Also available at some border crossings. A digital promise, a modern convenience. Check laoevisa.gov.la for specifics. This year, 2024, it’s all about digital convenience.
My trip last December, the temples, magnificent. The people, so kind. The food, spicy and unforgettable. Those were only 30 days. Still dreaming about it. The feeling lingers. The scent of frangipani… I need to go back. I must go back.
Is a visa on arrival possible?
Okay, so visa on arrival… Yeah, I kinda know about that. I went to Thailand in July 2024, super last minute. Talk about a scramble!
I remember landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Honestly, I was sweating bullets thinking I’d messed up somehow. My friend Ravi swore up and down that Indians got visas on arrival. Phew.
It was chaotic! So many people. But there was a separate Visa on Arrival lane. And yeah, Ravi was right.
- Documents needed: My passport, one photo (which was horribly blurry from that drugstore photo booth!), arrival card, and some proof of onward travel.
- The Fee: Cost me around 2000 Thai Baht, I think. Maybe a bit more, who remembers!
- Insurance: Okay, that was a close one. Almost forgot! They made me buy it right there. Travel and Health insurance is a MUST. Saved my butt!
The process wasn’t exactly fast, but it was doable. Felt a little scammy tho, ngl. After all the hurdles, the immigration dude stamped my passport. Free to go! Thailand here I am!
I think a lot of countries do visa on arrival for Indians. More than 60, based on the 2024 Henley Passport Index, or so I heard. It’s probably best to check with the consulate of the country. Anyway, totally worth the last-minute travel shenanigans, even with the blurry photo!
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