Is it possible to get a visa on arrival in Laos?

How much does a visa on arrival cost in Laos?

Okay, Laos visa…Ugh, my trip back in July 2024!

Picture this: sweltering heat at Luang Prabang airport, 6 PM hit, me rushing to the visa counter.

I was stressed. I only had $45 USD left!

Turns out, being American cost me $40. Yikes!

That after-hours fee, a sneaky $1 surcharge, almost caught me out. Phew.

Luckily, I had exact change. Bullet dodged!

It’s like, be prepared and bring a photo, or they make you pay extra. Happened to some poor Brit behind me.

So, yeah, USD 30-42 sounds about right, depending. But, best have that extra dollar bill, just in case.

Is visa on arrival possible?

Ugh, Vietnam visa. On arrival, right? Is it even still a thing?

• Visa on arrival is def an option, yeah!
• Okay, so like, you grab it when you land. International airports only.

But the catch? A letter thingy.

• Visa approval letter, gotta have it.
• How do you even get that? Need to apply. Online, prolly?

Wait, what do they even want from me?

• Visa approval letter…duh.
• Visa requirements list – important stuff.

What exactly are the visa requirements now?

• Passport photos? Ugh.
• Application form.
• Fees, obviously.

Why does travel always have so many hoops to jump through? Need to seriously start planning a Vietnam trip. So excited to go to Ho Chi Minh City for new years eve!

Does Laos do visa on arrival?

Laos, 2024. Ugh, the Luang Prabang airport. Hot, sticky. I swear, the humidity alone could drown you. I’d spent ages researching this visa thing. Visa on arrival? Sure, at some airports. My anxiety was through the roof. That website, laoevisa.gov.la? Helpful? Not really. Too many options. Too much jargon. I was sweating. Seriously. Beads of sweat.

The line was long. So long. People everywhere. Each person’s face was etched with the same weary look as mine. Thirty days? Okay. But what about extending it? Sixty days extra? That’s what I needed. I needed that time. I’d planned this trip for months. Months!

Then came the official. The stamp. Relief washed over me. So much paperwork. A headache already. I’d also checked out the eVisa thing beforehand. Too complicated. I preferred the in-person chaos. Stupid, I know.

Vientiane, though. That’s where the potential 60-day extension happens. That’s a whole other adventure. The immigration department there? Prepare for a maze. A bureaucratic nightmare. But, I’ll deal with that later. For now? Freedom! Laos! Thirty days of bliss. Maybe more!

• Visa on Arrival: Available at selected airports, confirmed 2024.
• Duration: Initial 30 days.
• Extension: Possible 60-day extension in Vientiane. Prepare for paperwork.
• eVisa: An option, but I found it confusing. I went with the arrival visa.
• My experience: Stressful but ultimately successful. Luang Prabang airport was a sauna.

Where to get Laos visa in Vietnam?

Wanna snag a Laos visa in Vietnam? Head to the Laos Embassy in Hanoi, like everyone else! It’s at 40 Quang Trung Street, Hai Ba Trung District. Trust me, you can’t miss it—it’s about as subtle as a rooster at sunrise!

They’re open 8 AM – 11:30 AM, then snooze off for a power nap, then back 1:30 PM – 4 PM. Like they’re running a marathon in slow-mo.

Hit them up at +84 24 3942 4279 if you’re feeling chatty. Fax? Yeah, they still have one: +84 24 3822 8414. Email is [email protected]. Good luck with that, though, feels like yelling into a well sometimes!

• Address: 40 Quang Trung Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi (it’s right there).
• Hours: 8 AM – 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM – 4 PM (don’t show up late…or early. Goldilocks zone only).
• Phone: +84 24 3942 4279 (ring ring!).
• Fax: +84 24 3822 8414 (for when email is just too darn fast).
• Email: [email protected] (hope they check it more than once a week!).

Just a heads-up, things change faster than I change my socks. Always double-check times and details before trekking across town. Don’t blame me if they decide to close for a random holiday celebrating…uh…Laotian sock puppets.