As I Landed in Vientiane, Laos on 26 October 2018, I was welcomed by an unpleasant surprise!
My Experience:
As usual, proceeded to the immigration fast and was 4th in the line. The 3 persons ahead of me completed their immigration formalities in a matter of seconds. As I proceeded to the immigration counter and handed over the passport, the lady immigration officer (was about to stamp me in but stopped) checked through the passports (passports because I had 3 attached together which all have valid visas) and then smiled and called the supervisor. I was not surprised as I have faced a similar problem before in Cambodia, Ukraine, South Africa! Basically it means you are being sent to the secondary immigration office to be interviewed or to be assessed.
But as I waited in the immigration office, Air Asia's operational manager came over and asked me of my nationality as well as my boarding pass after enquiring if I have any luggage. Then came the airport manager asking me if I am okay to fly back in the next flight if I am not allowed entry. I was surprised and asked the manager why would I not be allowed. Then he pointed to a list on the wall and that mentioned which countries have been RESTRICTED from entering Laos!
Anyway, I told him that I would first speak to the head of immigration and then decide. They literally held the outgoing Air Asia flight for 15 minutes because of me. Then came this very friendly and elegant immigration lady and asked me for my passport. As she spoke good English so there was no communication gap.
She asked me if I have a return ticket and I showed her my ticket back to Thailand. Then asked me if I have valid Thai Visa, told her I have multiple re-entry permit. Then she wanted to see the hotel booking and I showed her that. After speaking to 3 people over the phone in Laotian, she said she could allow me to enter only if I provide a guarantee and deposited USD in cash. I was surprised! But soon realized, that's the only thing I could do, to get out of it. So, I asked, how much I needed to deposit and she answered USD 500. I told her if that's what she needs to allow me to enter Laos, I can make the deposit.
Then she took my passport and scanned it, photocopied it, wrote on a form and finally asked me to go and take a photo which the immigration office had set up already.
After finishing all this, she asked me for the cash and taking USD 500 in cash she photocopied those and returned my passport with the guarantee letter and asked me to sign. Then she photocopied it again and gave me a copy. She also asked me to take a photo of it as I would be needing it when I return to claim the money back.
Conditions of the Guarantee Letter was that I needed to leave Laos by 31 October as per my return ticket. I had the option to leave earlier but not later than 31 October if I wanted to get that money back, even though I had been stamped in for 30 days as per usual visa/entry rule.
Things To Note:
I was basically the first from the members of the travelling community in Bangladesh (at least I do not know anyone who faced it before me) with whom they enforced the rule of USD 500 deposit as a repatriation fee. Since then till a few months back (end of 2019), they allowed entry for Bangladeshis with this USD 500 deposit only, but there are recent development w.r.t. to the same, and Bangladeshis are being allowed to enter without deposit.
You can read about the latest updates on Laos Visa & Entry here: https://www.guywiththegreenpassport.net/post/lao-pdr-laos-travel-visa-guide-for-bangladeshis
P. S. This was my 2nd time in Laos. The first visit was in November 2015.
Unpleasant indeed...what if any guy just has 600 or 700 USD to cover the whole trip?
I hope the situation is convenient now at the immigrations.