Just wanted to confirm that I can get a Laos visa on arrival at the mohan-boten border to luang namtha. Everything I've read says it's possible, but just wanted to see if anyone has recently crossed into Laos there and can confirm there were no hassles.
No problems for me as of August 2013. Having USD and passport photos with you will definitely simplify things.
Just crossed & recrossed Lao border - no problems with visas at border for most nationalities, but nearly 30 nationalities cannot get visa at border - mostly African countries, including Nigera; also Turkey, don't remember the others.
Who CANNOT get Laos Visas on Arrival?
Effective from 15 October, 2009, travelers holding passports from the following countries are not eligible for Laos Visas on Arrival.
Afghanistan
Algeria
Bangladesh
Burundi
Cameroon
Congo
Cote d'Ivoire
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Jordan
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya ( Libyan Arab Jamahiriya )
Mozambique
Nauru
Niger
Nigeria
Pakistan
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Syria ( Syrian Arab republic)
Swaziland
Tonga
Turkey
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Visa on Arrival Fee
Below is a list of visa fee for different countries. If your country is not on the list, it probably costs you $US30 to get the visa or you're not eligible for getting Laos visa on arrival. Click here to check if you are in the "NOT eligible" list.
Country Price (US Dollar)
Australia 30
Canada 42
China 20
India 40
Sweden 31
USA 35
UK 35
Others 30
Good luck