Laos Visa Run vs Extension: Which Saves You Money?
Still in Laos and your stamp is running out? Most travellers choose between a visa run (leave and re-enter) and a tourist visa extension filed in Vientiane. This checklist compares the two so you can pick before your stamp expires.
Step 1: What each option actually is
A visa run means you exit Laos (usually to Thailand or Vietnam), then re-enter on a new visa or visa on arrival. You pay transport, border fees and lose at least a day of travel. An extension keeps you inside Laos: you lodge your passport at a Vientiane desk and get 30 more days stamped without leaving the country.
Step 2: Side-by-side cost and time
| Factor | Tourist visa extension (Vientiane) | Typical visa run |
|---|---|---|
| Service / desk fee | $90 all-in for 30 more days (Express 2-day $140 / 1-day $190) | Border / VOA fees vary by nationality; plus bus, taxi or flight |
| Time away from your plans | Stay in Vientiane; standard or Express as above | Usually 1–3 days including travel and queues |
| Documents | Passport with a still-valid stamp; one photo | Passport, cash for borders, sometimes onward proof |
| Risk of overstay | Low if you file before the stamp expires | Higher if buses or borders delay you past expiry |
| Best when | You want one more month in Laos without leaving | You already planned a trip outside Laos anyway |
Prices above for the extension are the full transparent all-in fee at the VisaGov.la desk (no hidden ministry or insurance add-ons). We confirm your exact total on WhatsApp before you pay.
Step 3: When the $90 extension usually wins
- You are already in or near Vientiane and just need 30 more days.
- A round trip to the border would cost more than $90 in tickets and hotels.
- Your stamp is still valid and you can lodge the passport this week.
- You do not want to risk a delay that turns into an overstay.
Step 4: When a visa run can still make sense
- You already planned to visit Thailand, Vietnam or China this week.
- You have used the usual in-country tourist extensions and need a fresh entry path (ask the desk to check your stamps).
- You prefer a new entry stamp for other travel plans, not just one more month in place.
Step 5: How to extend in Vientiane (5 steps)
- Photograph your passport photo page and current Lao stamp or eVisa.
- Send them on WhatsApp to +856 20 9999 7573 so we can confirm you still have time to file.
- Choose Standard ($90), Express within 2 days ($140) or 1-day Express ($190).
- Walk in to the VisaGov.la desk inside Harmony Hotel, Asean Road, Vientiane (daily 9:00–20:00; no appointment).
- Collect your passport with 30 more days when we message you.
Full procedure: Laos tourist visa extension procedure. Staying several months instead? See retirement and long-stay options or the residence permit packages (packages from $290).
If your stamp already expired
That is an overstay, not an extension. Settling at the border is $10 per day; at the Ministry in Vientiane it is $5 per day. The VisaGov.la desk handles the Ministry route for $2.50 per day on top. Message WhatsApp before you travel so the file is ready.
Visa run vs extension FAQ
Is a Laos visa extension cheaper than a visa run?
Often yes. The Vientiane tourist extension is $90 all-in for 30 more days. A visa run adds transport, hotels and border fees that frequently exceed $90 once you count a full day of travel.
How fast can I get an extension without leaving Laos?
Standard is the $90 all-in option. Express within 2 days is $140; 1-day Express is $190. Same-day is not offered.
Can I do a visa run if I have already extended twice?
Tourist stays are usually extended up to two times in country. If your stamps are full, send them on WhatsApp and the desk will tell you whether a fresh entry or a longer package is the better next step.
What if I overstay while planning a visa run?
Overstay is $10 per day at the border or $5 per day at the Ministry in Vientiane, plus $2.50 per day if we handle the Ministry route. File an extension before expiry when you can.