Laos had been high on my bucket list for years so when I had the chance, I just had to visit. I visited in February 2024.
Quick
facts
- - Officially the Loa People’s Democratic Republic, the only landlocked country in South East Asia, it is bordered by 5 countries (Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand).
- - It’s capital and largest city is Vientiane and the people speak Lao.
- - They have an estimated population of 7.8 million people.
- - The local currency is called Lao kip
Visa
Process
I wrote to
the Lao embassy in Yangon where I live, to make enquiries and was told as a
Nigerian passport holder, I needed the following:
- - Letter
of introduction from where I work
- - Proof
of funds (pay slips/ bank statements)
- - Visa
fee of $35
- - Hotel
reservation
- - Flight
booking
- - 2
passport photographs
- - Copy
of passport data page
- - Passport
with at least 6 months validity
As no visa application had been treated for a Nigerian at that Embassy before, I was told that my application would be sent to their Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval. The lady seemed worried and asked if we had an office in their country, so they could apply for me. I told her I was in no hurry and would wait for the approval. The approval only took 2 weeks!
