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visa policy
Notification of On-Arrival Visas at International Checkpoints
The Department of the Consulate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Laos People's Democratic Republic makes this notification regarding the application of Decree No. 21/PM of the Prime Minister regarding approval of on arrival visas at international checkpoints as follows:
1. That Decree was issued to facilitate foreign persons who seek to come to officially work, visit, do business, or tour the Lao PDR.
2. International checkpoints which have the tight to issue on arrival visas are as follows:
(a) Wattay International Airport,
(b) International Friendship Bridge.
3. Those who will receive on arrival visas are business persons, tourists, and those who are visiting, must meet the following conditions:
(a) Have a return air ticket or a visa to enter a third country,
(b) Must know an individual or organization to contact in the Lao PDR,
(c) A certification of acknowledgement of receipt regarding accommodations in the Lao PDR (hotel reservation confirmation),
(d) Certificate of a bank statement (available funds) or a life insurance (policy).
4. 0n arrival visas (obtained) at international checkpoints allow for a stay of 15 days. If necessary, one extension may be requested.
5. Foreign persons who have received visas at international checkpoints must pay a fee according to regulations being US$30 for each visa.
6. The issuance of international checkpoint on arrival visas shall commence 1 June 1997.
Therefore, the Department of the Consulate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notifies all parties, if any party is interested in the issuance of on arrival visas at the international checkpoints referenced above, please contact the Consulate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for details during official working hours.
Vientiane, 22 April 1997
Department of the Consul, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Appeared in Vientiane Mai Lao language newspaper on 24 April 1997
Regarding paragraph 3, parts (a) through (d), only part (a) is being enforced. In other words, parts (b) through (d) can be discounted 100 percent. The photo requirement is not being enforced either. At worst, you might be asked to show a credit card or a wad of dollars. But Immigration has yet to turn anyone away to our knowledge. Besides, the queue can be somewhat long when several planes have landed at once; then Immigration is happy to take your completed visa form, your US$30 and whisk you through. (This paragraph was entered on 11 JAN 98.)
