We, therefore, put here some hard facts and our experience.

Primarily, all foreign visitors need to book the tours through a travel agent, and need to have a pre-approval letter from an authorized Laos agency (few bureaucratic minority).  The Laos Embassy will issue the visa only if the above mentioned letter was attached.  Currently, the embassy/consulates in certain countries do not require this letter, but some may do.

Recently, Laos authority has intended to boost tourism and allow travelers to obtain visa stamp at their International Airport - Vientiane or at the overland border crossing points of Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge near Nongkai.

1. Holds return/onward ticket and all documents required for next destination,
2. Holds Certificate of Bank Statement (min. USD 400.-) or life insurance policy
3. Has a contact (individual person or organization) based in Laos
4. Holds confirmed hotel reservation in Laos.
5. Pay visa stamp fees of USD 30 to the Immigration.

Visitors who will enter Laos through Huayxai-Chiangkong Border (Northern Thailand) need to get the Laos visa stamp from the Laos Embassy before entry. Since last August 2000, the Laos Authority had terminated the visa stamp at this border.

To reserve your hotel in Vientiane, Laos - recommended Settha Palace Hotel