Visas
General Information
Effective April 13, 2012, the Department of State will adjust visa processing fees. The fees for most nonimmigrant visa applications and Border Crossing Cards will increase, while all immigrant visa processing fees will decrease.
The Department is required to recover, as far as possible, the cost of processing visas through the collection of application fees. For a number of reasons, the current fees no longer cover the actual cost of processing nonimmigrant visas. The nonimmigrant visa fee increase will support the addition and expansion of overseas facilities, as well as additional staffing required to meet increased visa demand.
Although most categories of nonimmigrant visa processing fees will increase, the fee for E visas (treaty-traders and treaty-investors) and K visas (for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens) will decrease.
| Type of Visa | Previous Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist, Business, Transit Crew Member, Student, Exchange Visitor, and Journalist visas | $140 | $160 |
| Petition-Based visas (H, L, O, P, Q, and R) | $150 | $190 |
| Treaty Investor and Trader visas (E) | $390 | $270 |
| Fiancé(e) visas (K) | $350 | $240 |
| Border Crossing Cards (age 15 and older) | $140 | $160 |
| Border Crossing Cards (under age 15) | $14 | $15 |
Because of a reallocation of costs associated with immigrant visas, all categories of immigrant visa processing fees will decrease.
| Type of Visa | Previous Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications | $330 | $230 |
| Employment-Based Applications | $720 | $405 |
| Other Immigrant Visa Applications | $305 | $220 |
| Diversity Visa Program Fee | $440 | $330 |
| Determining Returning Resident Status | $380 | $275 |
Procedures for payment of visa fees at the Embassy will not change. All fees must be paid at the time of the interview. The exchange rate for dollars to kip is $1 to 8,500kip.
For more information on the fee increases and to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please visit the Department of State website
Email Inquiries: conslao@state.gov
Lao Mailing Address
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy
P.O.Box 114, Vientiane, Lao PDR
U.S. Mailing Address
Consular Section
United States Embassy
Box V
APO, AP 96546
Please note that the Consular Section will not accept supporting documentation for visa applicants received through the mail or via e-mail. Please send any supporting documentation directly to the visa applicant, who can then submit the information at the time of his or her interview
Immigrant Visas: Visas to go live in the United States for the immediate relatives (spouses, children, and parents) and family members of American citizens, minor children and spouses of legal permanent residents, as well as other special categories of immigrant visas including former U.S. residents, religious workers, and skilled professionals sponsored for employment in the United States.
Fiancé/Finacee Visas: Visas to get married and live in the United States with a U.S. citizen fiancé(e). The parties to the marriage must have met each other in person within the previous two years.
Non-Immigrant Visas: Visas for Lao and other foreign nationals who are going temporarily to the U.S. for pleasure, business, study, or temporary work (if properly sponsored by an employer in the United States).
Hours of Operation
The Consular Section is closed on American and Lao holidays.
Immigrant Visas:
Interviews -- Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings by appointment only.
Immigrant Visa Inquiries - Thursday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Fiancé(e) Visas:
Interviews -- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings by appointment only.
Fiancé(e) Visa Inquiries - Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Non-Immigrant Visas: Tourist, Business, Student, Exchange Visitors, Religious or Employment based Visas
Interviews -- Tuesday and Thursday mornings by appointment only.
Non-Immigrant Visa Inquiries – Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 p.m.