I think it isn't a good idea for Laos to increase visa fees for many foreign citizens from 30 $US to 45 US$. Does Laos want to promote tourism or just want to make a few dollars more from a few foreign tourists. If so, why then Laos exempt the visa fees for many friendly country tourists? It's a bad idea.
for me, i'm french, i don't need to pay anything to go to Thailand (it's free for 30 days). For Laos i have to pay 30$... why not, but 2 weeks for 30$ is not enough.... when i go to Laos, i stay at least 3 weaks. I'll go to Laos next January and stay more then 30 days... so I have to ask for visa extension, pay more...
I'm ok to pay 30$ because i know this can help the country, but i would really enjoy if staying longer time in Laos could be simplified!
Some officials need for new mansion, car for their kids or just more spending money. Thus the increase in the visa fee. What the hell they increasing it for when other countries around them charge less. Smart to squeeze as much as money out of tourism at possible. Old fee was $30 and new is $45. Laos get 1.5 millions visitors a year. Do the math. DAMN!!! that a lot of money.
-- Edited by Saffron at 05:58, 2007-11-02
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"Because I criticized Laos government and it policies, it does not mean I want Laos to remain poor nor do I think Lao people are lazy or uneducated."
ask the MOFA where this money goes ... please, look around us, what other countries are doing... I don`t understand the policy of the MOFA, instead of attracting tourists to come to Laos the consulate department try to block them from visiting it ...I`ll go to ask my kids why ?
I think the MOFA don't block the tourists, exept the bad éléments (like paedophily and drug smokers comme in Laos to do the dirty affairs. I think the MOFA is not blind). Isn't it Cheap Veteran !
yes ! I agree with you but 30 USD for an entry visa is more than enough... tourists who wanted to visit Laos would change their mind and go to vietnam, cambodia or thailand instead...but 40 - 500 USD for foreign workers or foreign businessmen who most entered laos for one month but stayed here for many years...
there is also aother problem with VISA, it's multiple-entry.
example: if i want to have holidays in Laos (one month), but during my month in S-E Asia (mzinly in Laos), i want to go a few days to Thailand, a few days to Vietnam (everything from Laos), each time i go back to Laos, i'll have to pay for VISA Again.
I wish i could get visa for one month, pay one time , but get multiple-entry.... so Laos could be my "base station" as it is in the middle of many countries, and go to visit easily the countries around.
In Cambodia, if you were born in Cambodia and you are living abroad permeanent like you and I, you only required to do a visa once to entry to Cambodia, then you never ever required to do a visa from the Cambodian government again, this visa you can visit or stay in Cambodia as long as you like, their government won't charge you for over stay in the country, after all, you were born there and you have the right to live there.
Laos government policy is different, even you were born in Laos, you still been classified as the foreigner. We can only visit our family, relatives and love ones in 1 month.
When you go to get you visa, the Lao embassy stamped your visa for 3 months but went you enter the country, the custom officers stamp one month. Now, can I ask you guys, who has more power, the Lao embassardor or the Lao custom officer? The Lao custom officer has more power than the Lao embassador. I have visited many countries, only Laos is different from other countries on the visa policy. I have raised this issue with the Lao embassador before, they have no power to do anything, their is no respect to the embassador, looks like they are having less power than the Lao custom officer. Shame.............!
Yeah ! Not bad cambodian system, i quite agree with you, Lao govmnt must rewiev somme policy visa. But who've most the power " Consulat, Ambassador or Custum ? I think that the dollard or the Euros 've got most the power.
there is also aother problem with VISA, it's multiple-entry.
example: if i want to have holidays in Laos (one month), but during my month in S-E Asia (mzinly in Laos), i want to go a few days to Thailand, a few days to Vietnam (everything from Laos), each time i go back to Laos, i'll have to pay for VISA Again.
I wish i could get visa for one month, pay one time , but get multiple-entry.... so Laos could be my "base station" as it is in the middle of many countries, and go to visit easily the countries around.
Really? I wasn't aware of this. That is terrible. Well, I guess Laos need to make money anyway they can. This is just too bad it is this way.
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"Because I criticized Laos government and it policies, it does not mean I want Laos to remain poor nor do I think Lao people are lazy or uneducated."
So i did checked the site and nothing related to most of the comments above. I thinks, more people who took discussion don't like laos, but i don't understand why they don't let laos goes on and to forget about laos. Laos doesn't do any good to you then why you care.
I don't think the USA charge you less for a visa and the worst thing on the US visa is at the borders the custom officers can say hi and bye. Take the next flight to where you are from. If the visa fee is too high for you, then change to next distanation and have fun on your vacation. I agreed with paris on to make it easier on multiple entry.
I found this very interesting about Laos, 
