DIY Visa Run to Laos

Written by: Nicole Kovacs

Ready to do your visa run? Want to consider a do-it-yourself method instead of paying the fees of a travel company like Meesuk?

Keep reading to learn all about my experience and discover how you, too, can find the strength to overcome the fear of the unknown!

In all honesty, my primary reason to avoid travel companies was the desire to (hopefully) save money, though, at the time, no one could tell me for sure if this would even be the case!

With the new E-visa process, everything was a bit of a gamble, but, in the end, I am so satisfied that I made the decision I did.

Here, I will provide you with a step-by-step breakdown of the process including an overview of the costs.

After, continue reading to explore more about my personal experiences, see photos from the trip (in the carousel above!), and learn about what adventures could await you.

At the end of the day, a do-it-yourself visa run is not for everyone, but it IS completely doable if it’s something that appeals to you!

Here is my short but comprehensive dissection of your two options:

Benefits of a DIY Method:

Can be cheaper, if desired
Self-designed schedule
o Ability to travel and sight-see
Good option for adventure-minded individuals!

Benefits of a Travel Company:

No surprises
Less hassle and stress
Good option for individuals who prefer a more strict schedule and an extra bit of security!

Overall, the process took me out of Thailand for 6 days, but this could have been drastically shortened if I knew some of the info that I have now supplied for you in this blog.

I truly believe, as long as you are prepared, you can do the trip without a travel agency in the same time frame and for a cheaper price.

I took the equivalent of $400 (the amount I expected to spend with a travel company), and was able to travel, enjoy my week, and still come home with $20-30 to spare.

Step-by-Step Guide:

STEP 1: Wait for a stack of papers provided to you by your school or hiring agency. You will need a variety of documents, all of which will be prepared for you if you’ve come to Thailand with an organization like KET.

STEP 2: In the meantime, you can start to fill out the online E-Visa application here, but please note: you cannot submit the application while inside of Thailand, as the last step is to provide proof of your current location (in Laos).

Fill out the application as if you are in Laos; for example, when inputing info for current accommodations, choose that of a hostel/hotel in the area (even if you don’t end up staying there). You will also need to know in which city/embassy you are applying and how you will be entering Laos. If you are traveling to Vientiane, you can choose this embassy from the dropdown options and Friendship Bridge 1 as your place of crossing.

The placement of this STEP is optional, as many choose to wait until in Laos to begin the application. That thought made me nervous, as I knew I would end up having a lot of questions about the process, and I wanted a chance to look at it (and pose some questions to ChatGPT) from the comfort of my own home here in Thailand.

STEP 3: Begin some research about Laos and the Embassy which you will be visiting. I searched for hostels nearby that had reviews as being popular among female solo-travelers. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of a hostel, there are a plethora of hotels in the area, but you should expect the cost of the trip to increase significantly. If you plan to book before you have the paperwork from STEP 1 in your hands, I recommend ensuring your accommodations are refundable, as you never know what could delay the process.

STEP 4: Once you have received your stack of paperwork, finalize your travel plans to Laos. I was able to book a singular bus from my Thai accommodations in Lampang directly to Nong Khai. This is the Thai city on the border on Laos, connected to Vientiane by Friendship Bridge 1, which you will use to cross into Laos. This bus ticket was not available online, but, by asking at my local bus station, I was able to save myself an intermediate trip to the nearest big city.

Double check that you have all of your paperwork (physical and digital copies), your passport, cash (in baht), and downloaded copies of any travel insurance and accommodation reservations before beginning travel.

STEP 5: After an overnight ‘sleeper bus’ to Nong Khai, I used the Grab app to catch a ride to Nong Khai Border Checkpoint, but plenty of tuk-tuk’s are also available at the bus station. Go into the immigration office and prepare to have your Thai tourist visa cancelled as cross the border. If they ask why you are traveling across the border, be honest but careful. I told them I was applying for my Non-B visa and said “yes” when they asked if I was a teacher. Nothing more.

Take the designated shuttle bus across the bridge.

When you arrive in Laos, step off the shuttle and stop at the big booth which advertises “Visas on Arrival” (VoA). You will need to fill out some paperwork, pay a fee, and get your passport stamped. If your phone has E-SIM capabilities, there are places to purchase a small data plan; if not, be prepared by downloading maps and translator apps in advance and expect to only use Wi-Fi. You will need to pay for a taxi, van, or tuk-tuk into the heart of Vientiane (about 30 minutes). Please note: The Grab app is not available in Laos, though there are always a multitude of driving services at all major tourist areas of the city.

STEP 6: If you have arrived before 12:00 noon, you can proceed straight to the embassy. There are several “embassy” search results; you will visit the “Consular Section” at the Embassy of Thailand at 15 Rue Bourichane. There is a Starbucks down the road which offers free-wifi so you can complete and submit your application. Once submitted, select the option to pay and download the file that is produced with the QR code. Next to the embassy, there are several stands with printers and wifi. Use one of these services to print this QR code.

At the embassy, YOU WILL NEED: the proof of submission of the E-Visa application (with QR code) and 2,000 baht. Pay your fee and wait, checking your email often incase the embassy asks for any clarifying or subsequent documentation. I did not need any of the physical paperwork which I brought with me, but I recommend having it in case of any complications at the embassy or at the border.

STEP 7: Once your visa is approved, you will receive an e-mail, which you need to print before returning to Thailand. After this step, you are ready to proceed to the border and leave Laos by performing these steps again in reverse. Stop at immigration on your way back, present your passport and E-Visa print-out, and wait for the Non-B stamp in your passport. You’ve done it!

Mistakes I made that delayed my visa:

I submitted pictures of some of my documents instead of using scans; the embassy then told me they were illegible.
I submitted a picture of my VoA instead of the stamp after I arrived in Laos
I arrived at the embassy after noon and had to wait until the next day to pay the fee.
I brought Lao kip back to Thailand. It’s impossible to exchange here, so make sure you transfer everything back to baht before leaving Laos!

Cost Breakdown:

Item	Cost
Bus - Lampang to Nong Khai	$30 (x2)
Shuttle across the border	$1 (x2)
Document printing	$1 (x2)
Transportation from border to Vientiane	$10 (x2)
Hostel accommodations for 5 nights	$50
Laos VoA	$55
Non-B Visa	$65
Food and Fun	at your discretion
Total	$255 ~ 8050 Baht

Adventure Time!

Next, let’s talk about the fun stuff! Laos is an absolutely beautiful country and proved to be such an oasis for adventure seekers. I will tell a bit about the highlights of my trips, though I highly recommend doing your own research based on your personality type.

Nong Khai Giant Lotus - The adventures begin before even leaving Thailand! Go enjoy this beautifully picturesque lake and cafe. I went early morning and was greeted only by some friendly neighborhood animals, not another tourist in sight - perfect place to snap some Instagram-worthy selfies.
Vientiane City Center - Vientiane is quite a lively city with lots of tourists and friendly locals. Take a walk and explore some of the markets which pop up at all times of day, including a popular one by the river in the evenings. Purchase handmade goods at gift shops, visit vibrant temples, or take pictures at famous landmarks like Patuxay Monument. I never did venture as far as Buddha park, but it should surely be high up on your list. Try the local BeerLaos at one of many bars with great vibes.
Take a day trip! - Knowing I had a few days grace period as I waited for my Visa approval, I booked a mini-van (available at most hotels/hostels) from Vientiane to nearby Vang Vieng, known as an outdoorsman’s paradise. The snapshots I have from this city are something from a postcard, and, if I had the time, I could have spent an entire week there. Rent a bike and travel to one of the many well-known hiking trails which end at incredible viewpoints or swim in one of the famous blue lagoons... Book excursions that include kayaking, zip-lining, rock climbing, tubing, parasailing, or even hot air balloon rides... The combinations of adventures are truly endless and relatively affordable.
Be responsible, but treat the trip like a holiday - If you are going through the time and effort to plan a trip, enjoy it! Remember why you are there, but take moments to revel in the beauty around you and seek out adventures. For me, this was a lifesaver in lowering my levels of stress about missing work and coping with processes out of my control.

KET makes the paperwork easy—ready for your own adventure? Check our orientation week blog or side hustles guide for more teacher stories. Questions? Comment below!

Apply Now & Join KET in 2026 →