I am New Zealand citizen, and my wife of seven years is Chinese citizen. I get a lot of conflicting information about visiting and living in Laos. Do we need visas, and where to get them. First time I want to stay maybe three months, and come back for three to six months regularly. Later maybe to live there. I am not dependent on having an income, but i like to be busy, like teaching or work with investment as I done before. My first profession was as photographer and film maker, then I changed tack and spent eight years in university and became a qualified engineer with major in IT&T (computers and telecommunications) and a lawyer, and added on economics and business administration later. What do you think my options are???

The Kiwis are coming in left, right and centre. Welcome to the forum, Rolf.

Every foreigner needs a visa of some sort to enter Laos. You can apply for one at the Lao Embassy in your country, or at a port of entry such as Vientiane airport.

You seem like a professional person. There are many Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in Laos, so you could get in touch with them to see what positions they have on offer.

Visa, yes that sounds simple, would that apply to my wife as well as she is Chinese citizen?

Chinese citizens holding diplomatic passport, service passport or passport for public affairs are exempt from Lao visa. Others will need to obtain a visa to enter Laos because China isn't a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Chinese citizens may get a visa-free stay for a short period of time in some parts of northern Laos, if they hold a Sino-Laos Border Permit. To be safe than sorry, I advise to check with a Lao Consulate or Embassy for the latest information about visa.

The table below shows the countries and the current tourist visa fees to enter Laos, however, that may change in the future.



http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/laopride81.jpg




http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/tourist-visa-fee-to-laos.jpg

good information......thanks admin

Tanks, excellent information.  apparently you just show up at the border and pay a fee. Sounds simple.

Generally, to save time and inconvenience, it's often easier to get your Lao visa done before you leave home. This way you can just show your passport at the entry point to be stamped, and you're allowed through.

If you don't want to apply beforehand for a Lao visa, then make sure you have a valid passport, a small photo of yourself, and some cash in US dollars when you show up.

Thanks, it is just that I live in Chongqing, and to get to a place where a Laos visa can be issued is a matter of two to three days on the train in either direction. Laos is a small country, but China is certainly not.

I am reading a lot about other people's experiences from Laos, and though most people seems to love the Lao people, many people seems to feel Laos as a country, when it comes to visiting, is hostile towards visitors. Most people who are genuinely interested in learning Laos would like to stay at least three months, better six months, which is the international norm for visitors, but Laos only allow 30 days.

Do you know if the Lao government has any way or channel to provide feedback and suggestions for improvements?

Another thing I noticed, there is hardly any good promotional information on Laos. Vietnam has a lot, but not Laos.

Another question. When I travel I usually try to seek out film or video production companies or photo studios and go and meet with them. It is always very interesting to sit and compare experiences, equipment and production and editing techniques, and it is very beneficial to all parties. Do you know of any such companies in Laos?

I don't think the mainstream Lao people are hostile towards visitors. We are renowned for welcoming visitors with genuine hospitality and a friendly atmosphere.

Regarding staying in Laos longer than 30 days, that's not a problem. When your visa expires, you can renew it while you're still in Laos so it's very convenient.

You can purchase a Lonely Planet book about Laos. It has some good information on Laos, I see some foreigners carry them around.

I don't know about video and photo companies sorry. There are many photo shops around, it doesn't hurt to talk to them. In Laos, you can talk to anyone on the streets, unlike many countries where people tend to keep to themselves.

Sorry, my fault, I created a misunderstanding. I never heard that mainstream Lao people are hostile. To the very contrary, very, very hospitable and friendly people as described. It is the government rules that have been criticised, and the best we can do is to make suggestions to the government to make a change.

When I was in my early career, many people helped me, now it is my turn. Laos is a developing country and will need a lot of knowledge from outside, and knowledge can only come through people. I always like to leave more behind than I take with me.

We often say that if you give a man a fish he can eat for a day, but if you teach him to fish he can eat for a lifetime. (Remeber New Zealand is an island and people live off the sea.)

We can't do anything much about the Government rules. It's best to stay out of politics while in Laos, even making small suggestions are not recommended because it's like playing with fire.

That quote is so true. You could share your knowledge and skills with the locals, and, in return they can help you with things that you want to know.

One party system, government and politics is the problem. They don't like suggestion, but after 30 year Laos education system, health care, jobs opportunity is still not the best.

That's the way it goes.

admin, you are so knowledgeable about almost everything. Just wondering you must have high education.......really appreciated your responses to almost every topics lol

I enjoy hard work and learning, I get that from Judy Garland.

My job as the admin of Lao Pride is to be active and help as much as I can about Laos to our visitors.

We are talking bout two distinct different things here. I agree that if you are a guest in a country, you should not meddle in that country's affairs by making suggestions publicly or steer the opinion, deliberately or un-deliberately, just as you should not do that when you are a guest in someone's home and family.

Any government I ever experienced do encourage dialogue, through the channels they decide and in the form they decide, usually in private. I have found that Laos government is no different. This is a quote from a Laos government paper.

"to engage in a regular, constructive dialogue with the government to make substantive contributions to policies and regulations that affect the economic development of the country."

Tourism is one important factor in Laos, and I am just looking for what channels the Laos government would like visitors to use.

They probably do hold dialogue sessions, but you probably need to visit Laos on a diplomatic or official visa for them to take your opinions seriously.

You are the best Admin I have ever come across. Your advices are wise and appropriate. You have done a brilliant job and you are quite an inspiration for many youngsters!!!

I am sure you are a very wise man equipped with plenty of knowledge and energy. Perhaps you should try to do more for this country...have you ever thought of becoming a PM, a real good one?   ;)

I think LP Admins is doing a great jobs too. About 25% of Lao government is women. Now we just need women Lao Prime Minister. If we can votes she got my votes.
:)


Lao Dreamer wrote on 29^th Jan, 2011 at 2:27pm:

You are the best Admin I have ever come across. Your advices are wise and appropriate. You have done a brilliant job and you are quite an inspiration for many youngsters!!! I am sure you are a very wise man equipped with plenty of knowledge and energy. Perhaps you should try to do more for this country...have you ever thought of becoming a PM, a real good one?   ;)

Lao Dreamer, Thanks. I'm a woman, in my 20's, and no I don't want to be involved in Lao politics, let alone becoming a PM.

Lao Democratic Republic, Maybe you should consider becoming a Lao PM one day, since you're bright and have great ideas to improve the situation in Laos.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 29^th Jan, 2011 at 10:25pm:

Lao Dreamer, Thanks. I'm a woman, in my 20's, and no I don't want to be involved in Lao politics, let alone becoming a PM. Lao Democratic Republic, Maybe you should consider becoming a Lao PM one day, since you're bright and have great ideas to improve the situation in Laos.

Politics is a dirty game. I don't know enough or want to get involve in politics. If opportunity arise I would be involve in non-profits organization helping the poor.

Communist are not stupid, just has different mindset. At least Lao, China, Vietnam government welcome market economy. I still prefer democracy.
;)

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 22^nd Jan, 2011 at 9:28am:

I enjoy hard work and learning, I get that from Judy Garland. My job as the admin of Lao Pride is to be active and help as much as I can about Laos to our visitors.

Keep up the good work admins. Lao pride, Lan Xang, we all love Laos.
:)