877-454-3672

Search Tours ▼

What to expect from Laos’s Visa on Arrival Process

Posted by Courtney Ridgel on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment
As Luang Prabang has a small airport and is nestled in the mountains, aircraft with props are common

By Courtney Ridgel

Most travelers will need a visa for Laos, and visas are issued on arrival.

Coming in to land in Luang Prabang, above the stunning landscape and mighty Mekong River

On your flight in, the flight attendants will give you the Immigration forms.    Luang Prabang has a small airport, so you will disembark outside and walk around the exterior of the airport until you get to Immigration, which is located just inside and around the corner.

In Luang Prabang, you’ll disembark out on the tarmac and will walk around the exterior of the airport to get to Immigration

You’ll first pass through the visa application line, and you will need to turn in your Immigration forms, a passport photo (a clear 2×2 inch headshot with a blank background) and cash for the visa fee.

The visa application line will be the first thing you see inside the door.

The visa fee for US citizens is officially US$35.00, but there is a sign taped to the booth which indicates that US citizens must pay an additional dollar.  We’ve been told that if you arrive at the airport outside of the Lao Immigration hours (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm) you may be charged an additional $1.00 overtime fee, but more often than not, regardless of the hour, you will be charged the additional dollar, so it is best to plan on having $36 in US dollars when you arrive.

Be sure to bring cash with you when you arrive in Luang Prabang

Just to your right are the Immigration counters, and once the visa label has been inserted into your passport, you’ll pass through one of these booths.  The Immigration official will take your photo and stamp your passport, and you’ll proceed through to the baggage claim.

The Immigration officials will stamp your passport, once you have your visa

Collect your luggage and head outside to meet your guide who will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it.  Your guide will lead you to the car and will help you stow your luggage.  Time permitting, you will be taken for a quick orientation tour around town to help you get your bearings before being taken to check in.  If you need to exchange money, let your guide know, and they can help you do this in town.

The baggage claim is just behind the Immigration desks.

Welcome to beautiful Laos, otherwise known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic!

A view of Luang Prabang from on high. Everything is green, vibrant and fresh after a rainstorm.

 … Read more »

What to Expect from Cambodia’s Visa on Arrival Process

Posted by Courtney Ridgel on (Updated: )  |  2 Comments

By Courtney Ridgel

Most travelers to Cambodia, including US citizens, will need visas.  We recommend using the visa on arrival system in Cambodia but you also have the option of using the e-visa system.

Passengers disembark outside when arriving in Siem Reap

For visa on arrival services, you will be handed the immigration forms on the plane ride into Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.  (If you miss getting the forms on the flight, you can also pick them up in the airport when you arrive.)

Head into the newly renovated and upgraded Siem Reap Airport

Siem Reap is a small airport, so you’ll disembark outside and head into the newly renovated (and enlarged) airport terminal.

For visa on arrival in Siem Reap, head to the right-hand side of the entrance.

For visa on arrival, you’ll need to enter the ‘Apply Visas’ line, on the right and turn in the visa application form (check the box to apply for a tourist visa, which is valid for 30 days), a passport photo (a 2×2 sized headshot with a blank background – no hats or glasses) and the visa fee of US$30.00.

Just after you enter the Siem Reap Airport from disembarking, turn to your right for the visa application line.

Your passport will tossed down the counter to the next available official and you will head to the next line to pick it up.  Don’t be surprised it the process seems a bit casual by US Immigration standards.

Pick up your passport at the other end of the counter.

Once you have your visa in hand with the visa label, head to your left and pass through the Immigration inspection.  Cambodia uses entry and exit forms so you’ll need to present this to the official.  They will scan your fingerprints and take your photo, before stamping your passport. Once you passport has been stamped, move through to collect your luggage.

In the Siem Reap airport, after receiving your visa, move to your left to pass through the Immigration inspection.

Guides and taxi drivers are not permitted to enter the airport, so you’ll need to exit the building to find your guide holding a sign with your name.  Walk up, say hello and welcome to the Kingdom of Wonder!

Your guide will have a printed sign with your name

For the e-visa service, visit the website for Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their e-visa page.  (Make sure you visit the official government site, and not one of the knock-offs sites.) The fee for this visa is $30.00 + $7.00 processing fee for a total of US$37.00.  E-visas are only valid for 90 days, so be sure not to apply too early!  If you choose to use the e-visa service, please be careful to accurately enter your information as it can be difficult to get it corrected.  The e-visa works beautifully when there are no errors in the paperwork, but when there are, we’ve seen multiple travelers end up having to purchase a second visa through the visa on arrival process.

Artwork in the newly renovated Siem Reap airport
… Read more »

The Myanmar Visa on arrival Program is back!

Posted by April on  |  Leave a comment

myanmar flag

Great News! The Myanmar Government has re-introduced the Visa on arrival process in Myanmar. The Immigration Authority at the Yangon Airport now has full control so this speedy process has been re-introduced. For a smooth travel planning process, please keep these restrictions in mind:

  • Travelers to Myanmar can only apply for the visa-on-arrival one month in advance of their intended travel date.
  • You must have a passport that will still be valid for at least the next six months.
  • An application must be submitted to the government and a visa approval letter is required to pick up your visa when you arrive in Myanmar.

Journeys Within can help with this process, and is offering this service to all of our guests traveling to Myanmar.… Read more »