The Agreement on exemption of visa for bearers of diplomatic passports or official passports was signed on July 17, 1977; Exchange notes were carried out in 1993; Cua Lo Arrangement singed in 1999 and Vientiane Arrangement signed in 2002 provide for exemption of visa for bearers of ordinary passports for official mission. The exemption of visa includes exemption of visa for entry, exit and transit. The duration of stay subject to visa exemption begins from the date of entry. The contents of visa exemption agreed upon between Vietnam and Laos are as follows:
- Exemption of visa is granted to bearers of diplomatic passports or official passports. There is no provision on concrete duration of stay.
- Exemption of visa is granted to bearers of ordinary passports for official mission (the seal indicating official mission is AB seal for Vietnam and SERVICE seal for Laos and valid up to one year), which means:
- Exemption of visa is granted to bearers of ordinary passports for official mission with the stay duration not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry;
- Exemption of visa is granted to bearers of ordinary passports for official mission (whether they are from any of economic entities and organizations having legal personality) for implementing contracts of commerce, labour, investment or cooperation projects. Project owners or employers are liable to complete procedures of residence registration within 30 days from the date of their entry in accordance with the current regulations of respective countries. The duration of residence shall be granted in conformity with the duration of the signed contract of labour.
- Exemption of visa is granted to bearers of ordinary passports for official mission who are pupils, students or researchers within programmes of cooperation between the two Governments or state enterprises of the two countries. The duration of residence shall be granted in conformity with the duration of the cooperation programme. (Agreement signed on March 5, 2004 and effective on July 1, 2004)
- Exemption of visa is granted to bearers of ordinary passports still valid up to 6 months with the stay duration not exceeding 30 days; the stay duration may be considered for extension in special cases. Those who wish to stay for over 30 days are liable to apply for visa in advance of their entry; the stay duration may be extended.
At present, Laos applies stay duration of up to 30 days.
(Updated as of February 2nd, 2009)
