No More VOAs at Nine Border Checkpoints in Laos

News in Asia
No More VOAs at Nine Border Checkpoints in Laos

Nine border checkpoints in Laos will discontinue granting visas on arrival to tourists, according to the a notice from the Prime Minister’s Office ussued earlier this month.

Here is the list of border checkpoints where visas on arrival will no longer be issed:

Laos–Vietnam
– Pang Hok (Phongsaly Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Soy (Huaphanh Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Kan (Xieng Khouang Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Na Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Phou Keua (Attapeu Province) bordering Vietnam

Laos–Thailand
– Nam Ngeun (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Heuang (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand

Airports
Savannakhet International Airport

Earlier this year, Laos launched an online e-visa service yet only three border crossings accept e-visas so far. These include:

Vientiane's Wattay International Airport,
– The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge between Vientiane in Laos and Nong Khai in Thaialnd
Luang Prabang International Airport.

The fact that e-visa fees are 50% higher than what travellers pay for a visa on arrival at the border is being heavily criticized but e-visas are valid for 60 days while VOAs allow visitors to stay in Laos for 30 days only.

Currently citizens of 15 countries can enter Laos without a visa for a period between 14 and 30 days depending on their passport. Visitors of other nationalities need a visa for travelling to Laos. After closure of the 9 border checkpoints for VOA services, it will still be possible to obtain visas on arrival at the remaining 15 ports of entry.

Source

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