Indian visa in Laos

From their website:

The Chancery building of the Embassy is located in the new diplomatic enclave, on the road connecting Thadeua Road (Km3) with Phonton (Sokpaluang) Road.

002 Ban Wat-Nak
Thadeua Road, KM 3
Sisattanak District
Vientiane, Lao PDR

(One thing the Indians got from the Raj: good English. The "embassy" technically means the ambassador and his staff; the building or complex where they work is the "chancery".)

The website never says so explicitly, but visa services are apparently provided right at the chancery (and maybe nowhere else). They also say

Applications received at the counter between 09.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. are normally processed the same day and serviced documents can be collected from the counter between 4.00 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.

I'm guessing that's a typo, and they don't stay open to 11:00 p.m.

I wouldn't rely on it. The Indians are notorious for making people apply for visas in their home country. A few embassies (Bangkok, maybe?) apply a slightly lighter touch, but they are generally strict.

The Indians are notorious for making people apply for visas in their home country. A few embassies (Bangkok, maybe?) apply a slightly lighter touch, but they are generally strict.

The website made it clear that they do issue visas (and not just to Laotians). That's not an ironclad guarantee but it seems unlikely that they'd go to the trouble of putting up a web-page carefully describing the process and hours for a activity they won't actually perform, and it seems likely if they had, we would have heard about it.

The website made it clear that they do issue visas (and not just to Laotians).

You didn't quote the bit where they say they handle applications from citizens of other countries. You aren't just assuming that, then? They certainly don't provide visas to non-residents in Jakarta, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hanoi. As I said, I've heard that they can be persuaded to do so in Bangkok.

PS I just had a look at the website. Nowhere does it say that they provide visas to non-Lao citizens or to those with long-stay permits to stay in Laos. If you hear of anyone who has experiences that prove me wrong, I'm happy to hear it. But don't go making assumptions about this.

You didn't quote the bit where they say they handle applications from citizens of other countries.

You're right I didn't, so I will:

Special Visa application forms should be filled in by citizens of Pakistan (4 copies with 4 photos) and Bangladesh (2 copies with 2 photos)

So they handle at least Lao, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi. Maybe those are the only three.

Any person seeking a visa to India for purpose of entering into a surrogacy arrangement must ascertain beforehand whether the law of that country permits surrogacy

"That country" means the traveler's country of citizenship. You think there's a problem with Laotians sneaking into India to hire surrogates?

So, no, they don't come right out and say it, but you'd think that, given the website, at least half their customers would be non-Laotians they would have to turn away?

I think you may well get a visa but not valid for more than three months (and likely to start from the date of issue, rather from the date of entry).
You may get 6 months validity in Bangkok.

Hi!!any updates for this issue?i'm actually in the same situation of izaaki,spanish citizen in laos at the moment and need indian visa,i've heard that they are more easy going in vientiane,laos' style..any update?i'd need the 6 months one..and have to decide wether i leave laos and go to thailand or not..thaaaanx

You could always ask them if they give 6 months in Vientiane.

Bellygala,

Any luck getting an Indian Visa in Laos? If so, how long did it take to issue after you submitted your application?

I see on the Indian Embassy website that the Visa is usually issued the same day (http://www.indemblao.nic.in/visa.htm), but that seems ambitious.

Any up-to-date info on the timing and the process in Vientiane for an Indian Visa would be great, thanks!