The definitive ';Visa on arrival at Vientiane'; report.

Just arrived back from Laos so this is as up to date as it gets.

When flying into Vientiane on an International flight the FA%26#39;s will give you two forms - Visa Application and Customs Declaration. To save time complete these before you land.

In the arrival hall you will see the Visa desk to your right, just beyond the large table on which those who didn%26#39;t fill in the forms on the aircraft are scribbling like mad so not to be at the back of the queue.

Join the first queue and present your application form, passport and photos. [Note - the form says 3 photos, we took 2 and were given 1 back ! Also if you have forgot to bring any they will snap you there for a $]

What you will notice is that you are greeted with a smile - this is Laos!

You are then directed to the second queue where you wait whilst your Visa is processed and are called forward to pay your fee (varies from country to country and is currently $35 for the UK)and collect your passport.

You then go through passport control (another smile)collect your luggage and pass through Customs ,handing in your Declaration Form. More smiles.

Enjoy Laos before it changes - it is like no where else in SE Asia.

The definitive ';Visa on arrival at Vientiane'; report.

It%26#39;s ironic that there is a list posted and all the different nationalities have different visa fees!

The definitive ';Visa on arrival at Vientiane'; report.

Silver,

Thanks for the post. I don%26#39;t see the logic in different fees for different nationalities.

Often, the fees are based on how much the opposite country charges for visas.

Actually, I was just in Laos last week and I had lost my 2 VISA photos. No big deal-----they didn%26#39;t even take another picture. They just charged me $1 more than my friend! She paid $35 for her Visa and I paid $36 for mine! We talked about how it was cheaper to ';forget'; your photos and just pay $1 more than get your photo made somewhere before you leave and you end up paying more! Ha!

Do you need a contact address to obtain the visa as I have seen on some websites? We have booked 3hotels but are travelling independantly and will be in Laos for 6days only.The passport,photos and $35 is all we need? We are flying to Luang Prabang.

';Do you need a contact address';

No not really. You can put down anything anyway. It won%26#39;t be checked.

clarins