Visa and Consular Services Guidance for Mekong-Lancang Countries

Guidance
Visa and Consular Services,

Good Practices and
Recommendations
For Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries
December,2022
Foreword
The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) is considered one of the most dynamic
cooperation frameworks in this region. The riparian states of this cooperation framework,
including Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, all share a common
vision in contributing to subregional economic and social development, improving the
wellbeing of people, narrowing down the development gap, supporting ASEAN Community
building, and promoting the implementation of UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development as well as South-South Cooperation. As a result, the practical collaboration and
mechanisms among the MLC have been identified and outlined in 5 priority areas, including
connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources
cooperation, as well as agriculture and poverty reduction cooperation.
Recognizing the significance of connectivity, this Guidance on Visa and Consular Services,
Good Practices and Recommendations for Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries is a
significant sub-activity of the Project “Modernization of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) for Consular Connectivity in Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries,
which is supported by the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund. This Guidance seeks
to provide an overview of basic visa and consular information by country, provide an analysis
of good practices, including travel advice and citizen protection, an assessment of the use of
information and communication technology (ICT) for visa and consular services, and analysis
of other relevant issues, as well as to provide recommendations to improve visa, consular, and
related services for Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries as a group and individually.
The Recommendations in this Guidance are built upon the researchers’ observation and
analysis, and represent only the researchers’ stand and position, but do NOT reflect the
perspective or view of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR nor
the Government of the Lao PDR. All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis presented in this
Guidance are those of the respective researchers. The information used and statements of fact
made are not guarantees, warranties, or representations as to their completeness or accuracy.
Vientiane, 11 November 2022

Consular Department
Table of Contents
Part One. Purpose and Target Audience of this Document ............................ 1

Part Two. Background ....................................................................................... 2
1. Visa and Consular Services ................................................................................................ 2
2. Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries .......................................................................... 2
3. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) .............................................................. 3
4. Global Good Practices ....................................................................................................... 6
Part Three. Information on Visa Regulations and Consular Services .......... 8
1. Basic Information by Country ............................................................................................ 8
!"#Diplomatic and Consular Missions and Contact Information by Country ....................... 33
Part Four. Analysis ........................................................................................... 45
1. Good Practices ................................................................................................................ 45
A. Good Practices in Consular Services ........................................................................ 45
B. Good Practices in Visa Services ............................................................................... 45
2. Travel Advice ................................................................................................................... 45
3. Information and Communication Technology ................................................................ 46
4. Global Considerations ..................................................................................................... 47
Part Five. Recommendations ........................................................................... 48
1. Visa Services: ................................................................................................................... 48
2. Consular Services: ........................................................................................................... 48
3. Travel Advice: .................................................................................................................. 48
4. Online Services: ............................................................................................................... 48
5. Other Considerations: ..................................................................................................... 49
6. Final recommendation: ................................................................................................... 49
List of Sources ................................................................................................... 50
Annexes .............................................................................................................. 51
Annex 1: Photos .................................................................................................................. 51
Annex 2: Visa Matrices for ASEAN and Non-ASEAN Nationals ............................................ 53
Part One. Purpose and Target Audience of this Document
This Guidance provides an overview of visa and consular services and analysis of good
practices in Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar,
Thailand,Viet Nam, and China). Based on the overview and analysis, this Guidancealso
provides key recommendations for tangible and effective improvement of visa and consular
services among these countries.
The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund has supported the Lao PDRConsular
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), to develop this Guidance asa part of the
project “Modernization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Consular
Connectivity in Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries.” The project has three components,
including this Guidance on Visa and Consular Service, Good Practices and Recommendations,
development of the E-Consular Platform and Visa database system in Lao PDR, and
installation of software and hardware at the international border checkpoints,aiming for
central integration.
The overall purpose of this guidance is to contribute to greater mutual cooperation among all
Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries in terms of visa and consular services. In particular,
this guidance aims to:
• Provide, in a single document, an overview of basic visa and consular information by
country,
• Provide an analysis of good practices, including travel advice and citizen protection,
an assessment of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for visa
and consular services, and other relevant issues, and
• Provide recommendations to improve visa, consular, and related services for Mekong-
Lancang Cooperation countries, as a group and individually.
Methodology. The main sources for the overview of visa and consular services are extracted
from the official websites of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the respective Mekong-Lancang
Cooperation (MLC) countries, and related sites, such as e-visa portals where available, and
country immigration information. Other publicly-available sites were consulted. The main
method for analysis of good practices is a case-by-case comparison of all 6 countries’ visa
and consular practices in conjunction with reliable sources, such as reports from the Global
Consular Forum (2016, 2015, and 2013), and relatedreports from Australia, Canada, and the
Netherlands. For ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the sources were the
ASEAN website and the 2017 study “Towards an ASEAN Common Visa: A Comprehensive
Feasibility Study,” published by the Habibie Center. The analytical findingscorrespond
directly to the recommendations, which cover visa services, consular services, travel advice,
online services and use of ICT, and other consideration.The draft document was validated at a
workshop with representatives of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the 6 MLC countries held in
Vientiane, Lao PDR, on the 6th December 2022. Comments and suggestions from workshop
participants have been incorporated into the document.
This document aims to be accessible, available to, and used by the general public, especially
citizens of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) countries and those who are interested in
traveling within and to this region.
In addition, this document could serve as an informative source for:

Ø Officials of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries’ Ministries of Foreign Affairs
responsible for visa and consular services for citizens and foreigners in their home
countries and in government missions abroad (embassies and consulate-generals),
Ø Officials, including visa and consular officials from other ASEAN member
countries, not included in the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation group, and
Ø Officials from other sectors, non-governmental organizations, and members of
academia, with an interest in foreign affairs, visa and consular services, within and
outside the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation group.
Part Two. Background
1. Visa and Consular Services
Consular affairs refer to the assistance provided by a country’s consular officials to its citizens
who are living, working, or traveling in another country abroad. These services range from
the day-to-day, such as providing a passport and travel advice, to the unique and complex,
such as evacuation during a crisis, or repatriation of remains (See Source 1).
A significant document that has been adopted by the United Nations is the Vienna Convention
on Consular Relations (1963). It is the international treaty that defines the framework for
consular relations among sovereign states. The convention defines the consular functions
andrights as follows:
a) Protecting the interests of the sending State and its nationals,
b) Furthering the development of commercial, economic, cultural, and scientific relations
between States,
c) Issuing passports and travel documents to nationals,
d) Helping, assisting, and safeguarding the interests of nationals,
e) Acting as a notary and civil registrar and performing similar administrative functions,
and similar other functions (2).
In practice, consular affairs refers not onlyto providing passports to citizens within their own
country, but also issuing visas to foreign nationals abroad, who wish to travel to the country,
in order to live, work, study, or for tourism.
This Guidancefocuses on twomajor areas – visa services for foreignerswho wish to travel to a
country, and consular services, such as passport services, for citizens abroad. This target area
of studyisMekong-Lancang Cooperation countries, which areCambodia, China, Lao PDR,
Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
2. Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries
The Mekong-Lancang area is one of the regions with the greatest development potential in
Asia, and indeed in the whole world. “Lancang” and “Mekong” are names that refer to the
same river – called “Lancang” in its origin and source in China, and called “Mekong” as it
flows through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. The five Mekong River
countries are home to 230 million people and have a combined GDP over US$600 billion.
The six Mekong-Lancang countries sharecultural similarities, enjoy traditional good
neighbourly relations, and share interconnected security and development interests, including
in the areas of foreign affairs, diplomacy, and consular services (3).
2
In 2012, Thailand proposed an initiative for the sustainable development of the Mekong-
Lancang subregion. In response, in 2014, China proposed the establishment of the Mekong-
Lancang Cooperation Framework. In 2016, the first Mekong-Lancang Leaders’ Meeting was
held, with the theme, “Shared River, Shared Future,” and the Mekong-Lancang mechanism
was launched (3).
Since its launch in 2016, Mekong-Lancang Cooperation has been characterized by

pragmatism, efficiency, and a focus on results. Its cooperation culture is based on equality,
sincerity, mutual assistance, and affinity. It aims to improve the economic development and
social wellbeing of the people of MLC countries in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and in a way consistent with the aims and activities of ASEAN (the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations), advancing South-to-South cooperation (3).
In addition to multiple meetings of Leaders (heads of state and government), multiple

meetings of foreign ministers, and bilateral projects and meetings, some specific areas for
cooperation have been:
• Cooperation on the Land-Sea Trade Corridor
• Deepening Cooperation Among Local Governments
• Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation, and
• Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine (4).
In 2017, an MLC China Secretariat was opened in Beijing, and a Liaison Office in Yunnan
Province.
Recently, in 2022, the Lao PDR Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a Mekong-Lancang
Cooperation Economic Diplomacy Conference, in Luang Prabang. The conference was an
opportunity for the six MLC countries to exchange views and experiences on economic
diplomacy, particularly regional and international integration policies, and implementation of
the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and Belt-and-Road Initiative.
In the years since its launch, Mekong-Lancang Cooperation has developed a platform for
consultation and cooperation in various fields. This Guidance provides a further contribution
to expandMLC dialogue and development, specifically in the area of visa and consular affairs.
Map: Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries (Source: Hanoi Times)
3. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

3
ASEAN was established in 1967 and currently has ten Member States: Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and
Viet Nam. The ASEAN Charter entered into force, with full ratification of all Member States,
in 2008. According to the Charter, the top-level ASEAN commitments are to build a Political-
Security Community, an Economic Community, and a people-oriented Socio-Cultural
Community. The aims of ASEAN are to: accelerate economic growth; promote regional
peace and stability; and promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in economic,
social, cultural, technical, scientific, and administrative fields, in agriculture, industry, and
trade, and in training, research, and Southeast Asian studies. The fundamental principles of
ASEAN are set out in a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (1976).
The ASEAN Political-Security Community includes matters of foreign affairs. The ASEAN
Foreign Ministerial Meeting (AMM) meets four times a year, assisted by a Foreign Affairs
Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), which meets eight times a year. Within the work on foreign
affairs, ASEAN initiated cooperation on immigration and consular matters in 1996 and An
important milestone was achieved in 2016, with the Framework Agreement on Visa
Exemption and the establishment of the ASEAN Lane. This agreement greatly facilitates
travel of citizens (ordinary passport holders) within Member States for tourist or short visit
purposes, by removing the need for a visa, for stays of 14 days (and longer in some cases).
Visa-free travel within ASEAN promotes tourism, trade, and amity (6).
Recent cooperation has focused on exchange of information and best practices, and training of
immigration officers. ASEAN Directors-General for Immigration and Consular Matters
(DGICM) meet annually. Topics of recent meetings have included:
• Consular assistance by ASEAN Member States in third countries to nationals of other
ASEAN Member States,
• Development of the Intelligence Data Sharing Protocol (IDSP), and
• Effective implementation of the ASEAN Lane at all major international airports (7).
The most recent meeting of ASEAN DGICM was held in Singapore in August 2022. The
meeting provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on efforts in immigration, consular,
and border management. The meeting noted a gradual increase border activity following
reopening and easing of travel requirements after the COVID-19 pandemic. National policies
have facilitated travel and stay, such as visa exemption, visa on arrival, and exemption of
overstay fines. At the same time, there have been continuing challenges, such as illegal entry;
fraudulent passports, vaccine certificates, and other documents; overstaying cases; and the
absence of consular services and/or direct flights for foreigner repatriation. Because of these,
the meeting noted that regional, interagency cooperation remains important and needed (8).
Many other related matters were taken up in the meeting:

• ASEAN Intelligence Information Forum,
• Initial implementation of consular assistance by ASEAN Member States in third
countries to nationals of other ASEAN Member States,
• ASEAN Visa Portal,
• Cooperation on immigration and consular matters,
• Establishment of immigration focal points,
• Development of border management cooperation roadmap,
• Possibility of establishing a special task force on people smuggling,
• Role of DGICM in the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC),
• Role of DGICM in the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF)
Implementation Plan, and
4
• Draft concept note on enhancing information-sharing on border measures due to
pandemic or similar emergency (8).
The structure and function of DGICM underlines that ASEAN has infrastructure for
cooperation on visa, consular, immigration, and foreign affairs. As a result, this Guidance is
expected to enhance ASEAN cooperation on the aforesaid matters. This Guidance supports
ASEAN in terms of the feasibility study for a common ASEAN visa, similar to the Schengen
visa in Europe (9). This Guidance focuses on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, which includes
5 member countries of ASEAN. The Guidance provides information on consular affairs of
China, which is considered the one of the most important dialogue partners of ASEAN.
This Guidance outlines basic information and analyzing good practices in visa and consular
services within Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries, aiming to advance discussion and
future cooperation on these matters. Although, the focus of this guidance is on MLC countries,
in discussing recommendations and ways forward, it will also be beneficial to include
ASEAN as a component of study as it is an important dialogue partner.
5
4. Global Good Practices
The Global Consular Forum (www.globalconsularforum.com) presents a platform for analysis

of good practices in visa and consular services globally. The Forum’s Steering Committee
consists of nine countries, all of them high-income or upper-middle-income, and none of them
in the Mekong-Lancang group. Its third and most recent meeting was held in Seoul, Republic
of Korea, in 2016, and involved 33 countries. According to the Forum, promoting a safe
travel culture and protecting citizens overseas are seen by citizens as among the most
important functions for any Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Consequently, the first important
good practice is to direct appropriate levels of political profile and financial resources towards
promoting citizens’ safe travel and providing consular protection (10).
Other good practices include: (1) cooperation with government agencies, the private sector,
and non-governmental organizations; (2) effective use of media, social media, and
information and communication technology (ICT); (3) specific consular services for
vulnerable citizens, including migrant and foreign workers, children, and people with mental
illnesses; (4) joint responses during crises, disasters, and emergencies; and practical
collaboration, including information exchange, shared training, and pooling of research
findings (10, 11)
Ø Cooperation across government and other sectors: Consular services are not provided in a
vacuum, but in collaboration with government ministries and agencies such as justice,
social services, defense, and others. In addition, some Forum member countries actively
pursue collaboration with their own private sector, especially tourism, transportation, and
insurance, and with non-governmental organizations. Regular outreach to and engagement
with a broad range of stakeholders ultimately proves beneficial for consular affairs.
Ø Effective use of social media: The Forum notes that social media presents unique
opportunities and challenges, and acknowledges that many people now expect real-time
engagement and feedback on social media for general services in their day-to-day lives.
As a result, consular affairs would benefit by keeping up with this trend.
Ø Vulnerable citizens: The Forum notes that, for some categories of vulnerable citizens,
including migrant and foreign workers, children, and people with mental illnesses,
specific tailored consular services are necessary. These include pre-departure seminars for
citizens preparing to work overseas; training for staff in how to handle specific situations;
and rapid follow-up of vulnerable citizens when arrested or detained.
Ø Joint responses: The Forum notes that good consular practices include rapid, joint, and
visible response for citizens in times of crises, disasters, and emergencies. For example,
during an earthquake, or widespread flooding, countries can reach their citizens with
information and assistance, and coordinate with host governments to share information
and updates, which can save citizens’ lives.
Ø Practical collaboration: The Forum also notes that good practices include regular
identification and development of opportunities for practical collaboration. These include
regular information exchange, joint training for consular officers, and sharing of analyses
and lessons learned.
There have been various reports analyzing good practices in visa and consular services at
nationaland international levels, focusing primarily on Europe, or specific high-income
countries, such as Canada. Hoorens et al. (2019) conducted an international comparative
6
study of consular services, commissioned by the Dutch parliament, analyzing consular
services of the Netherlands, 7 other European countries, and the United States (12). Good
practices include:
• Clear policy and legal frameworks,
• Standardized core training for consular staff and effective functioning and use of staff,
• Effective organization of the diplomatic network, including use of global call centers,
• Effective financial resourcing of consular services,
• Travel advice and travel document services provided to citizens using digital
communication,
• Partnerships with other states and/or with non-governmental organizations,
• Systematic assessment of citizens’ vulnerability and support needs, and
• Development of crisis response plans, including support to citizens in crisis.
A similar report was published by the Canadian parliament to strengthen the Canadian
consular service (2018), providing similar recommendations as above to improve consular
practice (13).
7
Part Three. Information on Visa Regulations and Consular Services
1. Basic Information by Country
Country: Cambodia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:

https://www.mfaic.gov.kh
Consular Matters:
General Department of Legal, Consular and Border Affairs
Department of Consular Affairs
Visa Matters, including E-Visa:

https://evisa.gov.kh
Types of Visa:
1. A (diplomatic) 2. B (official)
3. C (courtesy) 4. D (transit)
6. K (Khmer person with foreign

5. E (single-entry business, also passport)
available as E1, E2, E3, for multiple
entries, 1-, 2-, and 3-years validity)
7. T (single-entry tourist, also
available as T1, T2, T3, for multiple
entries, 1-, 2-, and 3-years validity)
8
Visa Exemptions:
• Cambodia allows visa-free entry for ASEAN nationalities (14 or 30 days) and Seychelles
(14 days)
Visa on Arrival:
• Available for most countries for maximum stay of 30 days
• Available in 3 international portsof entry (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville)
and 13 border crossings such as Poipet/Aranyaprathet (Thailand), Bavet/Moc Bai
(Vietnam), Stung Treng/Champassak (Lao PDR)
• T (tourist) visa on arrival costs US$30, andE (business) visa on arrival costs US$35
• Extensions are possible
E-Visa:
https://evisa.gov.kh
• Available for most countries, for entry in 3 international ports of entry and 4 border
crossings, for maximum stay of 30 days
• T (tourist) e-visa costs US$36, E (business) e-visa costs US$42
Other Notes on Visas:

• Chinese ordinary passport holders require a visa; this can be a visa on arrival or an e-visa
before arrival. E-visa website is available in Chinese language.
COVID-19 Restrictions:
• None
Other Consular Services:

• Consular services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation include: issuance of visas, issuance and extension of passports, legalization
of documents, memorandum of understanding registration of international organizations
and non-governmental organizations. Consular services provided by Cambodian missions
overseas include: issuance of visas, extension of ordinary passports, and legalization of
documents.
International Border Crossings:

• Airports: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
• Seaport: Sihanoukville
• Border Crossings
Name of Border Crossing Province(Cambodia)
Bavet SvayRieng
KaoamSamnor Kandal
Phnom Den Takeo
Cham Yeam Koh Kong
Prom Pailin
Daung Battambang
Poi Pet BanteayMeanchey
O’Smach UdorMeanchey
Chorm UdorMeanchey
Dong Kralo StungTreng
TrapaingSre Kado
TrapaingPhlong Kampong Cham
OknhaMong Koh Kong
9
10
Country: China
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn
Consular Matters:
Department of Consular Affairs (Centre for Consular Assistance and Protection)
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zzjg_663340/lss_665290/
Visa Matters:
Apply in embassy, consulate, or China Visa Application Service Center
https://visaforchina.org
Types of Visa:
1. Diplomatic/ Service 2. Tourist (L)
3. Transit (G) 4. Business (M)
5. Non-commercial exchange (F) 6. Work (Z)
7. Study (short-term X1, long-term X2) 8. Family member of Chinese citizen (short-term
Q1, long-term Q2)
9. Family member of foreigner resident

10. Crew (C.)
in China (short-term S1, long-term S2)
11. High-level talent (R.)
Note: Because of COVID-19, tourist (L) visas are suspended. China currently allows entry
only to foreigners with existing visas or who are permanent residents.
11
Visa Exemptions:
• China allows visa-free entry for holders of ordinary passports from a few countries; from
ASEAN, these are Brunei and Singapore (both 15 days). Visa-free entry for: Armenia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, San Marino, Mauritius, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Ecuador,
Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Serbia, Suriname, Seychelles, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Japan.
Visa on Arrival:
• Usually available only for some nationalities, in some entry ports, under some
circumstances, such as emergencies
• Suspended until December 2022 because of COVID-19
E-Visa:
• There is no e-visa system. China allows online visa application through
https://cova.mfa.gov.cn, but the visa application form must be printed, signed, and
submitted at an embassy, consulate, or visa application service center.
• China allows 24-hour visa-free transit for most nationalities at most entry ports (travelers
must exit within 24 hours). 72/144-hour visa-free transit is available for a smaller number
of countries, none of which are in ASEAN.
• Visa-free group tours are available for those who travel the Pearl River Delta in
Guangdong from Hong Kong or Macau, specific conditions may apply,according to
nationality, travel route and itinerary and possible places to visit.
• Visa-free group tours are available to Guilin for ASEAN nationals.
• Visa-free group tours are available to Hainan Province for many nationalities, including
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.
• All of the above weresuspended until December 2022 because of COVID-19.

• In general, holders of ordinary passports from Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries
(Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam) require visas to enter China.
• Tourist (L) visas were suspended until December 2022. China currently allows entry only
to foreigners with existing visas or who are permanent residents. RT-PCR or rapid (ATK)
tests may be required. Vaccination with Chinese-manufactured vaccines may be required.
Mandatory quarantine on arrival.

• The primary Chinese consular services are to develop lines of cooperation with countries
where Chinese citizens live, provide Chinese citizens with consular documents, and
manage the welfare and provide needed assistance to Chinese citizens overseas. This has
included providing assistance to Chinese citizens overseas in relation to COVID-19, such
as vaccinations and treatment. Consular services can be accessed through a 24-hour
hotline, a WeChat line, the website http://cs.mfa.gov.cn, and a consular services app.
• The Department of Consular Affairs is responsible for the full range of consular affairs,
including: managing consular relations with foreign countries; processing visas;
administering foreign consular institutions in China; protecting overseas Chinese;
managing immigration affairs in cooperation with other departments; providing consular
protection, assistance, and early warning; and guiding consular operations of China’s
overseas missions.
12
• In the context of COVID-19, China has provided vaccines and related aid to all Mekong-
Lancang Cooperation countries.

• China has numerous international border crossings, only some of which are on borders
with the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) group of countries. These include
Boten(Laos) and Nanning-Hanoi Friendship Pass (Vietnam). The border at Muse
(Myanmar) is closed to foreigners. For ordinary passport holders for MLC countries, visas
are required before travel to China. Because of COVID-19, border crossings for tourism
were suspended until December 2022.
13
Country: Lao PDR
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mofa.gov.la
Consular Matters:Consular Department: www.consularlao.gov.la

http://www.mofa.gov.la/index.php/the-ministry/189-consular-department
Visa Matters, including E-Visa:https://laoevisa.gov.la
Types of Visa:
1. Diplomatic (D-A1) 2. Official (S-A2)
3. Courtesy (C-B1) 4. Business (I-B2 or NI-B2)
5. Expert (E-B2) 6. Labor (LA-B2)
7. Student (ST-B2) 8. Expert (E-B2)
9. Labor (LA-B2) 10. Short-term (NI-B3)
11. Long-term (I-B3) 12. Permanent (P-B3)
13. Spouse (SP-B3) 14. Transit (TR-B3)
15. Visit (T-B3)
14
Visa Exemptions:
• Lao PDR allows visa-free entry for ASEAN nationalities (14 or 30 days) and other
countries
LIST OF COUNTRIES HAVING REACHED

UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL VISA EXEMPTION AGREEMENT WITH LAOS
Agreement into
No Country Name Stay Permit Passport Category
force
30 Days Diplomatic and Service 30.03.2018
1 Brunei Darussalam
30 Days Ordinary 30.03.2018
2 Cambodia
3 Indonesia
4 Malaysia
5 Myanmar
6 Philippines
7 Singapore
30 Days Diplomatic 08.02.1994
8 Thailand 30 Days Service 05.03.1999
9 Vietnam
10 Bangladesh 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 06.01.2013
China 30 Days 08.10.1989

11 Diplomatic and Service
Hongkong
14 Days 01.06.2013
(China)
12 DPR Korea no mention Diplomatic and Service 27.03.1989
13 India 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 06.11.2002
15
14 Japan 90 Days Service 01.04.2015
Ordinary (Unilateral Visa
15 Days
Exemption) 01.01.2007
15 Kuwait 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 28.10.2015

16 Mongolia
17 Timor Leste 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 22.01.2004

18 R. Korea
30 Days 01.09.2018
Exemption)
19 Kyrgyzstan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
20 Tajikistan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
21 Turkmenistan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
22 Uzbekistan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
23 Armenia 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

24 Azerbaijan
30 Days Service 20.12.1984
25 Belarus 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.03.2014
26 Estonia 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
27
Kazakhstan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
28 Latvia 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
16
29 Lithuania 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
30 Moldova 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
31 Ukraine 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984
32 Czech Republic 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 15.09.1978
33 Luxembourg Ordinary (Unilateral Visa

15 Days 07.07.2009
Exemption)
34 Poland 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 10.09.1981

35 Russia
36 Serbia 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 13.07.2014
37 Slovak Republic 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 15.09.1978

38 Switzerland
15 Days 07.07.2009
Exemption)
39 Cuba 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 01.01.1978
40 Brazil 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 23.06.2012
41 Ecuador 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 27.09.2013
42 Mexico 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 27.01.2014
43 Peru 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 05.10.2011
44 Pakistan 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 25.08.2016
17
45 Norway 90 Days Diplomatic 01.06.2019
46 Hungary 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 09.09.2019
47 Türkiye 90 Days Diplomatic 290.120.20
Diplomatic, Official or
48 Morocco 30 Days 01.10.2021
Service
49 Diplomatic and
90 Days 01.10.2022
Georgia Service/Official
Visa on Arrival:
• Available for most countries, at most entry ports (12 entry ports out of 31 total), for stay
of 30 days
• Extendable twice (for maximum 90 days)
• Visa on arrival is not available for 27 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh,
Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-
Bissau, Jordan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Mozambique, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Senegal, Sierra Leone,Suriname, Syria, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
E-Visa:https://laoevisa.gov.la
• Available for most countries (same as visa on arrival countries), for entry in 5 major entry
ports (airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse, and bridges in Vientiane and
Savannakhet), for stay of up to 30 days

• Chinese ordinary passport holders require a visa; this can be a visa on arrival or an e-visa
before arrival. E-visa website is available in Chinese language.
• Vaccinated travelers must present proof of being fully vaccinated. Non-vaccinated
travelers must present proof of negative rapid (ATK) test taken within 48 hours prior to
arrival.

• No information about other consular services available on MOFA websitebut this is being
developed in sub-activity of the Project “Modernization of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) for Consular Connectivity in Mekong-Lancang
Cooperation Countries.

• Lao PDR shares borders with 5 countries; Viet Nam to the east, Cambodia to the south,
Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north. Currently, there are 27
18
international border crossings (4 airports and 23 land borders), of which 13 have visa on
arrival available.
• International Airports: 1. Vientiane (Wattay), 2.Luang Prabang, 3. Pakse, 4.Savannakhet
• International Land Border Crossings:
Name of Border Visa on arrival

No. Province Shares border
Crossing available?
with
1.
Boten Luang Nam Tha Yes
China
2. China
Lantui Phongsaly N
o
3. Viet Nam
Panghok Phongsaly N
o
4. Viet Nam
Namkan XiengKhouang N
o
5. Viet Nam
Nam Phao Bolikhamsay N
o
6. Viet Nam
Na Pao Khammouane N
o
7. Viet Nam
Daensavanh Savannakhet Yes
8. Viet Nam
Nam Soy Houaphanh N
o
9. Viet Nam
Phoukeua Attapeu N
o
10. Viet Nam
Lalai Salavan N
o
11. Cambodia
Nongnokkheane Champassak Yes
12. Friendship Bridge Thailand
Bokeo Yes
IV
13. Thailand
Samliemkham Bokeo Yes
14. Thailand Yes, and e-
Friendship Bridge I Vientiane
visa
15. Thanalaeng Thailand
Vientiane Yes
Railway Station
16. Friendship Bridge Thailand
Khammouane Yes
III
17. Friendship Bridge Thailand Yes, and e-
Savannakhet
II visa
19
18. Thailand
Vangtao Champassak Yes
19. Thailand
Nam Ngeun Xayabouly N
o
20. Thailand
Pakxan Bolikhamxay N
o
21. Thailand
Nam Heuang Xayabouly N
o
22. Thailand
Phoudou Xayabouly N
o
23. Myanmar
Meuangmom Bokeo N
o
24. Thailand
Pangmon Xayabouly N
o
25. Vietnam
Dak Ta-ok Sekong N
o
26. Thailand
ThabokThanalaeng Vientiane Capital N
o
27. China
Lao-China Railway
Luang Nam Tha N
Border, Boten
o
Total 31 international border crossings. In addition to these, Lao PDR has 19 local and 48
traditional border crossings, which are not to be used by international travelers.
20
21
Country: Myanmar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mofa.gov.mm
Consular Matters:
Consular and Legal Affairs Department
Consular Division
Visa Matters:
https://www.mofa.gov.mm/consular-information/visa-information/
Types of Visa:
1. Diplomatic/Official/Courtesy 2. Tourist
3. Business (Single and Multiple) 4. Social (Single and Multiple)
5. Religious (Single and Multiple) 6. Transit
7. Official (Single and Multiple) 8. Employment
9. Education (Single and Multiple) 10. Journalist
11. Crew (Single and Multiple) 12. Workshop/Seminar
22
Visa Exemptions:
• Myanmar allows visa-free entry for ASEAN nationalities (14 or 30 days), Japan, South
Korea, and holders of passports from Hong Kong and Macau.
Visa on Arrival:
• Available at 3 major airports (Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyitaw) for many countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand,
North Korea,Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South
Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, USA
• Visas on arrival are valid for up to 30 days; the fee is US$50.
E-Visa:
https://evisa.moip.gov.mm
• Available for most countries, e-visas are valid for 90 days from date of issue, and allow
maximum stay of 28 days (for tourists) or 70 days (for business). The fee for a tourist e-
visa is US$50; for a business e-visa it is US$70.
• Can be used for entry in 3 major airports (Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyitaw), and 5 land
border crossings: Kawthaung (border with Thailand), Myawaddy (border with Thailand),
Tachileik (border with Thailand), Rikhawdar (border with India), Tamu (border with India)

• Chinese ordinary passport holders require a visa. E-visa website is only available in
English.
23
• Travelers shall have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully
vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival to Myanmar, or a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR
result issued at most 48 hours before arrival to Myanmar if unvaccinated or not fully
vaccinated.
• Travelers shall have COVID-19 medical insurance purchased from Myanmar insurance.
• Travelers shall be subject to a thermal screening to be conducted by the respective airport
heath authorities upon arrival to Myanmar and if they are found to be symptomatic of
COVID-19, they will be tested on COVID-19 by RDT. They will be isolated and taken to
a medical facility or treatment center or hotel designated by the Ministry of Health if
tested positive.
• (Requirements are subject to change. Please refer to guidance from the Myanmar Ministry
of Health.)

• Myanmar missions abroad provide a range of consular services for Myanmar citizens, and
visa services for foreigners.

International visitors can travel freely overland between Myanmar-Thailand and Myanmar-
India. Border crossings with Bangladesh, China, and Laos are closed to foreigners or
uncertain. As noted above, e-visas can be used at 3 airports and 5 border crossings.
• Airports: Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyitaw
• Border Crossings:
Name of Border Crossing Province(Myanmar) Visa on Arrival available
Kawthaung-Ranong Thailand
Myawaddy-Mae Sot Thailand
Tachileik-Mae Sai Thailand
Htee Kee-Phunamron Thailand e-visa not available
Rikhawdar-Zokhawthar India
Tamu-Moreh India
24
Country: Thailand
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mfa.go.th/en
Consular Matters:
Department of Consular Affairs
https://consular.mfa.go.th
Visa Matters:
https://consular.mfa.go.th
Types of Visa:
No. Visa Types Categories Passports Purposes of Visit Stay Permit
Diplomatic / Members of
D U.N. Laissez DCIOs' mission in
1 Diplomatic Thailand
Passer
F (Red cover) Official visit 90 Days
Official / U.N.
2 Official F Laissez Passer Official visit
(Blue cover)
Diplomatic /
Official / U.N. Personal visit
Laissez Passer
3 Courtesy CY 90 Days
Visit as Guest of
Ordinary the Royal Thai
Government
4 Tourist TR Ordinary Tourism 60 Days
25
Short-term
MT
Medical Treatment
Transiting through
the Kingdomin
order to proceed to
TS the country of
destination or to
re-enter his/her
5 Transit 30 Days
own country
Participating in
S
sport activities
In charge or crew
C
of a conveyance
Working in
government
F agencies /
international
organizations
Work
B Work as teacher
Conducting
business
Investment under
Board of
IB
Investment’s
schemem
Film production
M
Journalist/Reporter 90 Days
Non-
6 Ordinary
Immigrant
Education/
ED Internship (as part
of a curriculum)
EX Expert
R Religion
Research and
RS
Sciecnce
Spouse/Child/
Family visit
O
Parents of persons
90 Days
in DCIOs
26
Personal
household staff of
person in DCIOs
Long-term
medical treatment
Volunteer
Attending
Trial/Judicial
Session
O-A 1 Year
5 years +
Retirement Renewable
O-X for another 5
years
= 10 years
Working in
Thailand’s 13
6 Months –
S-Curve
4 Years
industries1
according to
T - Talents employment
7 SMART Visa T/I/E/S/O Ordinary I - Investors contract or
E - Executives duration of
S - Startups conducting
business
O - Spouse and
dependents
W - Wealthy
global citizens
P - Wealthy
pensioners 5 years +
T - Work-from- Renewable
Long-term for another 5
8 W/P/T/H/O Ordinary Thailand
Resident Visa years
professionals
= 10 years
H - High-skilled
professionals
O - Spouse and
dependents
1
13 S-Curve industries are: Next Generation Automotive; Affluent, Medical and Wellness Tourism; Agriculture
and Biotechnology; Aviation and Logistics; Biofuels and Biochemicals; Digital; Medical Hub; Smart Electronics;
Food for the Future; Automation and Robotics; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Human Resource Development
in Science and Technology; Environmental Management and Renewable Energy.
27
Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand
Ordinary Passport Diplomatic/Official Passport

Passport holders of Passport holders of the following
the following Passport holders of the following countries/ territories may enter Thailand without a visa countries/ territories may enter Thailand
countries/ territories without a visa
may apply for
Visa on Arrival Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme*** Bilateral Agreement Bilateral Agreement
Period of stay Period of stay Period of stay Period of stay

15 days 30days 14 days 30 days 90 days 30 days 90 days
Bulgaria Andorra Norway Brazil* Cambodia Hong Kong** Argentina Bangladesh Albania Nepal
Bhutan Australia Oman Korea (ROK)* Myanmar Laos Brazil* (Diplomatic only) Panama
Argentina
China Peru* Brunei
Austria The Philippines (International Macau Chile Peru
Cambodia Austria
Cyprus Hong Kong** Airports only)
Belgium Poland Mongolia Korea (ROK)* The
Vietnam** China Belarus
Ethiopia Philippines
Bahrain Portugal Russia(&VoA) Peru* Belgium
Ecuador
Fiji Poland
Brunei Qatar Vietnam** Bhutan
Hong Kong
Georgia Romania
Canada San Marino Brazil
Indonesia
India Russia
Czech Republic Saudi Arabia Bulgaria
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Serbia
Denmark Singapore Chile
Laos
Malta Seychelles
Estonia Slovak Colombia
Macau
Mexico Slovakia
Finland Slovenia Costa Rica
Malaysia
Nauru South
France Spain Croatia
Mongolia Africa
Papua New Guinea Germany South Africa
Mozambique Czech
Romania Spain
Greece Sweden Republic
Myanmar (Diplomaticonly)
Saudi Arabia Hungary Switzerland El Salvador
Oman Sri Lanka
Taiwan Iceland Turkey Estonia
Pakistan Switzerland
Uzbekistan Indonesia Ukraine (Diplomatic only) Finland
Tajikistan
Vanuatu Ireland UAE Singapore France
Tunisia
Israel UK Timor-Leste (Diplomatic only)
Turkey
Italy USA Vietnam Germany
Ukraine
Japan Georgia
UAE
Kuwait Hungary
Uruguay
Latvia India
Liechtenstein Israel
Lithuania Italy
Luxembourg Japan
Malaysia Korea (ROK)
Maldives Kosovo
Mauritius Kuwait
Monaco Latvia
The Netherlands Liechtenstein
New Zealand Luxembourg
Mexico
Montenegro
Morocco
The Netherlands
28
Remarks
* Passport holders of Brazil, Korea(ROK) and Peru are entitled for tourist visa exemption scheme. Meanwhile, Thailand also holds bilateral
agreements on visa exemption for holders ofdiplomatic, official and ordinary passports for a visit of not exceeding 90 days with Brazil, Korea
(ROK)and Peru.
** Passport holders of Vietnamand Hong Kong are entitled for tourist visa exemption scheme. Meanwhile, Thailand also holds bilateral agreements
on visa exemption for holders
of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports for a visit of not exceeding 30 days with Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Source: Department of Consular Affairs, November 2022
Visa on Arrival:
• Travelers can apply for e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) prior to their arrival at:
https://www.evisathailand.com/en/
E-Visa:
• Thai e-Visa services are available in 38 Thai diplomatic/consular missions in 23 countries
around the world: China, France, United Kingdom, United States, South Korea, Canada,
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria,
Finland,Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain.
• Travelers can apply for e-Visa at: https://www.thaievisa.go.th
• Entry restrictions relating to COVID-19 are no longer enforced.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides visa services for foreigners, issues needed travel
documents for aliens, and provides passport services for Thai citizens abroad, as well as a
range of consular services for the protection of Thai nationals abroad. These include:
providing assistance to Thai nationals in distress; promotion and protection of Thai
workers abroad; providing assistance to Thai fishing or commercial vessels and their
crews; assisting Thai women who are victims of illegal trafficking; providing assistance in
case of major natural disasters, political turmoil, or war; protection of Thai nationals
through preventive measures; and others.

• Travelers can enter Thailand via 48 immigration checkpoints (Visa on Arrival is also
available at these checkpoints) as follows:
o Airports: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Don Meuang, Hat Yai, Hua Hin, Krabi, Phuket,
Samui, Sukhothai, Surat Thani, Suvannabhumi, Trang, U-Tapao
o Land and harbor checkpoints: Aranyaprathet, Ban Prakop, Bangkok Harbour, Betong,
Bueng Kan, Buketa, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Kanchanaburi,
Khlong Yai,Khuan Don, Ko Lipe, Krabi, Mae Sai,
Map Ta Phut, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Nong Khai, Nong KhaiHarbour,
Padang Besar, Pattaya, PhibunMangsahan, Phu Sing, Phuket, Pong Nam Ron, Sadao,
Samui, Samut Prakan, Satun, Si Racha, Songkhla, Sungai Kolok, Tak,
Tak Bai, Tha Li
29
Country: Viet Nam
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mofa.gov.vn

Consular Matters:
Consular Department
Types of Visa:
2. Diplomatic (NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4) 2. Foreign Organizations in Viet Nam (NN1, NN2, NN3)
3. Tourist (DL) 4. Business (DN1, DN2)
5. Meetings / conference (HN) 6. Student (DH)
7. Investor (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4) 8. Lawyer (LS)
9. Journalist (PV1, PV2) 10. Working (LD1, LD2)
11. Working with Vietnam authorities (LV1, LV2) 12. Dependents of above visa holders or family
members of Vietnamese citizens (TT)
13. Family visits (VR)
30
Visa Exemptions:
• Visa-free policies are based on unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral basis
• Viet Nam allows visa-free entry for many nationalities (15, 30 or 90 days), including
ASEAN nationalities (14, 21 or 30 days) and Chile, Panama, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain,
Sweden, United Kingdom
Visa on Arrival:
• There are conditions and procedures for visa on arrival. These are:
o Depart from countries which don’t have Vietnamese diplomatic/consular missions;
o Going to Viet Nam on a tour group arranged by an international travel agent in
Viet Nam;
o Foreign seaman on a ship harbored in Viet Nam who wishes to exit Viet Nam at
another border point;
o To attend a funeral or visit a relative in a critical health condition;
o To join an effort dealing with emergency / rescue / epidemiological cases or other
specific reason upon request of competent Viet Nam authorities.
• All visas on arrival must be pre-arranged by an organization / agency / individual in Viet
Nam through the Immigration Department. When the visa is approved, foreigners can get
the visa at the point of entry. Visas on arrival are available at all international border
points.
E-Visa:
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt
• There are conditions and procedures for e-visa (EV)
• Available for 80 countries and territories, for use at many entry ports, for single entries of
up to 30 days, with a cost of US$25

• Chinese passport holders require a visa; this can be a visa on arrival or an e-visa before
arrival. E-visa website is only available in Vietnamese and English.
• Viet Nam allows visa-free entry to Phu Quoc Island; the flight must be direct to Phu Quoc,
or transit in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, going directly to Phu Quoc.
• Foreign travelers require insurance covering COVID-19 with minimum coverage of
US$10,000.
31
• Should Vietnamese citizens abroad require consular assistance, they are advised to contact
the nearest Vietnamese overseas mission, or the Consular Department of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, through the Department’s citizen protection hotline, +84-981-848484.
32
Part Three. Information on Visa Regulations and Consular Services
2. Diplomatic and Consular Missions and Contact Information by Country
Cambodia Diplomatic and Consular Missions in Mekong-Lancang

Countries
Embassies
No 9, Dong Zhi Men Wai Dajie, Beijing

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in China Tel +86-10-65321889
Fax +86-10-65323507
Camemb.chn@mfaic.gov.kh
Thadeua Road, Km 3, Vientiane

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Laos B.P. 34
Tel +856-21-314952
Fax +856-21-314951
Camemb.lao@mfaic.gov.kh
No. 25 (3B-4B), New University Avenue Road

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bahan Township, Yangon
Myanmar Tel +95-1-549609, 540964
Fax +95-1-541462
Camemb.mmr@mfaic.gov.kh
514/4 PrachaUthit Road, Soi Ramkamhaeng 39

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Wangtonglang, Bangkok 10310
Thailand Tel +66-2-9575851-2
Fax +66-2-9575850
Camemb.tha@mfaic.gov.kh
71A, Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Vietnam Tel +84-4-9424788-9
Fax +84-4-9423225
Camemb.vnm@mfaic.gov.kh
33
Consulates-General
29th Floor, World Financial Center

Cambodian Consulate-General in No. 188 Minzu Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Chongqing City, China Tel +86-23-63113666
Fax +86-23-63113300
Camcg.cqg@mfaic.gov.kh
Room 811, The Garden Hotel

CambodianConsulate-General in Huan Shi Road East, Guangzhou 510064
Guangzhou, China Tel +86-20-83879005
Fax +86-20-83879006
Camcg.gqz@mfaic.gov.kh
Unit 1218, 12th Floor, Star House

Cambodian Consulate-General in Hong No. 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon,
Hong Kong
Kong, China
Tel +852-25460718
Fax +852-28030570
Camcg.hk@mfaic.gov.kh
Guan Fang Plaza, 14th Floor

Cambodian Consulate-General in No. 258 Bai Yun Road, Kunming City, Yunnan
Kunming, China Province
Tel +86-871-3317320
Fax +86-871-3316220
Camcg.kmg@mfaic.gov.kh
No. 16-6 Guihua Road, China-ASEAN Business

Cambodian Consulate-General in District
Nanning, China Nanning City, Guanxi Province 530000
Tel +86-771-5672352
Fax +86-771-5672351, 8
Camcg.nng@mfaic.gov.kh
A/12 Floor, Sapphire Tower

Cambodian Consulate-General in No. 253-267 Middle Tianmu Road, Shanghai
Shanghai, China 200070
Tel +86-21-51015850, 7
Fax +86-21-51015855
Camcg.sh@mfaic.gov.kh
6th Floor, Qujian Culture Building

CambodianConsulate-General in Xi’an, No. 292 Yannan Road, Qujian District, Xi’an City
710061
China
Tel +86-187-29595258
Camcg.xian@mfaic.gov.kh
Room 808, Floor 8, Central International Plaza

Cambodian Consulate-General in 77 Binhai Avenue, Longhua District, Haikou City,
Haikou, China Hainan Province
34
Room No. 1, Building 3-A5, 48th Floor, Hanyu
Cambodian Consulate-General in Jinan, Business Center
Jingshi East Road No. 7000, High Tech Zone,
China
Jinan City, Shandong Province
Tel/Fax +86-531-88686001
Camcg.jn@mfaic.gov.kh
Road 13, Group No. 17, HouyYangkham Village,

Cambodian Consulate-General in Pakse, Pakse City, Champasak Province
Laos Te; +856-20-98989998
Camcg.pse@mfaic.gov.kh
No. 11/12, Suvanasone Road

Cambodian Consulate-General in Aranyaprathet District, Sakaeo Province 27120
Sakaeo, Thailand Tel +66-37-230204
Fax +66-37-230203
http://cgsakaeo.mfaic.gov.kh (doesn’t seem to
work)
Camcg.sak@mfaic.gov.kh
No. 41, PhungKhacKhoan, Ho Chi Minh City

Cambodia Consulate-General in Ho Chi Tel +84-8-8292751
Fax +84-8-8222773
Minh City, Vietnam
Camcg.hcm@mfaic.gov.kh,
im_hen_khmer@yahoo.com
35
China Diplomatic and Consular Missions in Mekong-Lancang Countries
Embassies
No. 156, Blvd. Mao Tsetung, Phnom Penh

Chinese Embassy in Cambodia P.O. Box 26
Administration +855-23-720920
Fax +855-23-720922
24-hour service +855-12-810928
http://kh.china-embassy.gov.cn
chinaemb_kh@mfa.gov.cn
Wat Nak Road, Sisattanak District, Vientiane

Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR P.O. Box 898
Tel +856-21-315100
Fax +856-21-315104
http://la.china-embassy.gov.cn
chinaemb_la@mfa.gov.cn
No. 1 PyidaungsuYeiktha Road, Yangon

Chinese Embassy in Myanmar Tel +95-1-221280-1
Fax +95-1-227019
http://mm.china-embassy.gov.cn
chinaemb_mm@mfa.gov.cn
57 Ratchadaphisek Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310

Chinese Embassy in Thailand Tel +66-2-2457044
Fax +66-2-2468247
http://th.china-embassy.gov.cn
chinaemb_th@mfa.gov.cn
46 Hoang Dieu Road, Hanoi

Chinese Embassy in Vietnam P.O. Box 13
Tel +84-4-38453736
Fax +84-4-38232826
36
Culture Section
Tel +84-4-38235517
Fax +84-4-37338064
http://vn.china-embassy.gov.cn
chinaamb_vn@mfa.gov.cn
Consulates-General
ChineseConsulate-General in Phonkham Village, Luang Prabang

LuangPrabang, Lao PDR http://prabang.china-consulate.org
consulate_lp@mfa.gov.cn
Yadanar Lane, Yang Yi Aung Road, Mandalay

ChineseConsulate-General in Mandalay, Tel +952-34457-8, 35937
Fax +952-35944
Myanmar
http://mandalay.china-consulate.org
chinaconsul_man_mm@mfa.gov.cn
111 Changlo Road, Haiya District, Chiang Mai 50100

Chinese Consulate-General in Chiang Tel +66-53280380, 53276125, 53276457
Mai, Thailand Fax +66-53274614
http://chiangmai.china-consulate.org
http://chiangmai.chineseconsulate.org
chinavisa.cm@gmail.com
No. 9, Sadao Road, Amphur Muang, Songkhla 90000

Administrative Office +66-74-322034
Commercial Office +66-74-326794, Fax 326240
Consular Office +66-74-325045, Fax 323772
Chinese Consulate-General in Songkhla, Mobile Phone:
Thailand Secretary +66-89-8766052
Commercial Office +66-81-7668312
Consular Office +66-81-7665560, 081-9590885
http://songkhla.chineseconsulate.org
chinaconsul_skh_th@mfa.gov.cn
142/44 Moo 2, Rob-Bueng Road, Nai Muang, KhonKaen

Chinese Consulate-General in 40000
Tel +66-43-226873
KhonKaen, Thailand
Fax +66-43-227037
http://khonkaen.china-consulate.org
Chinese Consulate-General in Danang, No contact information

Vietnam
175 Hai Ba Trung Road, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

ChineseConsulate-General in Ho Chi Tel +84-8-38292457
Fax +84-9-38295009
Minh City, Vietnam
http://hochiminhcity.china-consulate.gov.cn
chinaconsul_hcm_vn@mfa.gov.cn
37
Lao PDR Diplomatic and Consular Missions in Mekong-Lancang Countries
Embassies
15-17 Mao Tsetung Boulevard, Phnom Penh

Lao Embassy in Cambodia P.O. Box 19
Tel +855-23-997391
Fax +855-23-720907
laoembpp@hotmail.com
No. 11, Dong Si Jie, San Li Tun, Beijing 100600

Tel +86-10-65321224
Office +86-10-65323601
Lao Embassy in China Economic +86-10-65321386
Consul +86-10-65325445
Military +86-10-65325652
Fax +86-10-65326748
laoembchina@hotmail.com
A-1 Diplomatic Quarters, Tawwin Road, Yangon

Lao Embassy in Myanmar Tel +95-1-22482
Fax +95-1-227445
502, 502/1-3 Soi Sahakarnpramoon, PrachaUthit Road,

Wangthonglang, Bangkok 10310
Tel +66-2-539-6667-8
Operator Ext 0
Secretary Ext 211128
Lao Embassy in Thailand Visa Ext 106122
Defense Ext 134122
Education and Sports Ext 112
Economic and Trace Ext 103102
Fax +66-2-539-6678, 539-3827
Banethok@csloxinfo.com
22 Rue Tran BinhTrong, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

Lao Embassy in Vietnam Tel +84-4-39424576
Fax +84-4-38228414
38
laoembassyhanoi@yahoo.com
Consulates-General
Lao Consulate-General in Stung Treng No contact information

Province, Cambodia
9th Floor, Jing An Zi Yuan Building, 355 Wu Ding Road

Jing An District, Shanghai 200041
Tel +86-21-52987855, 52360717-9
Fax +86-21-62188225, 62888679
Lao Consulate-General in Shanghai, Consulgen.sh.la@live.com
China Mobile Phones
Consul +86-158-00638820, +86-159-00726308
Vice-Consul +86-158-00650059
Tel +86-20-83340710
Lao Consulate-General in Guangzhou, Fax +86-20-83327306
China cglaogz@yahoo.com
Room 1402, 14th Floor, Arion Commercial Centre

Lao Consulate-General in Hong Kong, 2-12 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
China Tel +852-25441186
Fax +852-25441187
laoscghk@live.com
6800 North Cai Yun Road, Guan Du District (Foreign

Lao Consulate-General in Kunming, Consular Area), Kunming 650041
Tel +86-871-67334511, 67334522
China
Fax +86-871-67334533, 67334266
Lao Consulate-General in Jinghong, Kingland Hotel, Jinghong, Yunnan Province

China Mobile +86-182-8801 8444
Gui Hua Road 161, Qing Xui Area,

ASEAN Business District, Nanning, Guangxi Province
530000
Tel +86-771-5672544
Fax +86-771-5672503
Lao Consulate-General in Nanning, cglaonan@yahoo.com
China Mobile Phones
Consul +86-187-78977795, Office +86-077-15672501
Vice-consul +86-151-77789919, Office +86-077-15672502
512/2 TombonSilaAmphae, Mueang KhonKaen 4000

Lao Consulate-General in KhonKaen, Tel +66-43-393402-3
Thailand Fax +66-43-393404
ckklao@hotmail.com
93 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
39
Lao Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City
City, Vietnam Tel +84-8-38297667
Fax +84-8-38299272
cglaohcm@gmail.com
16 TranQuy Cap Street, Quan Hai Chau, Danang

Lao Consulate-General in Danang, Tel +84-511-3821205, Mobile 091-5601273, 012-425-4899,
091-8072925
Vietnam
Fax +84-511-3822628, 3899613
laoconsuldanang@gmail.com
40
Myanmar Diplomatic and Consular Missions in Mekong-Lancang
Countries
Embassies
181, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Sangkat BoeungKeng Kang

1,
KhamChamcarmon, Phnom Penh
Tel +855-23-223 761, 223 762
Myanmar Embassy in Cambodia Fax +855-23-223 763
www.mephnompenh.org
mephnompenh@yahoo.com,
phnompenh_embassy@mofa.gov.mm
No. 6 Dong Zhi Men Wai Street

Chao Yang District, Beijing 100600
Tel +86-10-6532 0351 (2 Lines)
Myanmar Embassy in China
Fax +86-10-6532 0408
www.myanmarembassy.com
info@myanmarembassy.com, beijing-
embassy@mofa.gov.mm
Lao-Thai Road, Watnak Village,

SisattanakDistrict, Vientiane
Myanmar Embassy in Lao PDR P.O. Box 11
Tel +856-21-314910, 314 911
Fax +856-21-314913
www.myanmarembassy-vte.org
mmevte@laotel.com
110, Sathorn Nua Road, Bangkok 10500

Myanmar Embassy in Thailand Tel +66-2-233-2237, 234-4698, 234-0320, 237-7744, 637-
9408
Fax +66-2-236-6898, 233-7250
www.mebangkok.org
myanmarembassybkk@gmail.com
Myanmar Embassy in Vietnam 298A, Kim Ma Street, Hanoi

Tel +84-24-3845 3369, 3823 2056
Fax +84-24-3845 2404
www.me-hanoi.org
41
hanoi-embassy@mofa.gov.mm
Consulates-General
9/4 Maneenopparat Soi 3, T. Sriphum

A Meuang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50200
Tel +66-52-004 211
Myanmar Consulate-General in Chiang
Fax +66-52-004 216
Mai, Thailand www.mcgchiangmai.org
mcgchiangmai@gmail.com, consulate-
chiangmai@mofa.gov.mm
Rm 2401-2405 & 2436-2440, 24/F, Sun Hung Kai Centre

30 Harbour Road, Wanchai
Myanmar Consulate-General in Hong Tel +852-2845 0810, 2845 0811
Fax +852-2845 0820
Kong, China www.myanmar.e-consulate.org
myancghk@biznetvigator.com
No. 99 Yingbinlu, Guan Du Qu, Kunming 650214

Tel +86-871-681 62804, 681 62814, 681 62818
Fax +86-871-681 62808
Myanmar Consulate-General in
www.mcgkunming.org/
Kunming, China myanmarkunming.cg@gmail.com, kunming-consulate-
general@mofa.gov.mm
No. 16-7, Guihua Road, Consular District, Nanning 530028

Tel +86-771-5672 845, 5672 391
Fax +86-771-5672 192
Myanmar Consulate-General in
www.mcgnanning.org/
Nanning, China mcgnanning@163.com, consulate-nanning@mofa.gov.mm
42
Thailand Diplomatic and Consular Missions in Mekong-Lancang Countries
Embassies
No. 196, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Sangkat Tonle Bassac,

Khan Chamcar Mon, Phnom Penh
Tel +855-23-726 3067-8 Satellite Tel +66-2-354 6191-3
Royal Thai Embassy in Cambodia Fax +855-23-726 303 Satellite Fax +66-2354 6190
https://phnompenh.thaiembassy.org
thaiembassy.pnh@mfa.go.th
No. 21, Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600

Tel +86-10-8531-8700
Fax +86-10-8531-8714, +86-10-8531-8737
Royal Thai Embassy in China Visa and Consular section
Tel +86-10-8531-8768
Fax +86-10-8531-8737
http://www.thaiembbeij.org/
thaiconsulpek@hotmail.co.th, thaiembassy.pek@mfa.go.th, consula.pek@mfa.go.th
KaysonePhomvihane Road, Saysettha District, Vientiane

Royal Thai Embassy in Lao PDR Tel +856-21-214581-3
Fax +856-21-214580
http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org
thaiembassy.vte@mfa.go.th
No. 94, Pyay Road, Dagon Township, Yangon

Tel +95-1-226-721, 226-728, 226-824
Royal Thai Embassy in Myanmar Satellite Phone +66-2-354-6200, 354-6201
Fax +95-1-221-713
Satellite Fax +66-2-354-6198
https://yangon.thaiembassy.org
thaiembassy.ygn@mfa.go.th
43
26 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Royal Thai Embassy in Vietnam Tel +84-4-3823 5092-4
Fax +84-4-3823 5088
Consular Section
Tel +84-24-3823 5092-4 ext. 130, +84-24-3823 5085
https://rtehanoi.thaiembassy.org
For embassy: thaihan1@fpt.vn, thaihan2@fpt.vn
For visas: thaihan5@fpt.vn, thaiembassy.han@mfa.go.th
Consulates-General
15F Shangri-La Center, No. 9 Xiang Gang Zhong Road, Qingdao 266071
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Tel +86-532-6887-7038, 6887-7039
Qingdao, China Fax +86-532-6887-7036
https://qingdao.thaiembassy.org
thaiconsulate.tao@mfa.go.th
12F Building C, Fund International Plaza, No.6 Hangkok Road, Chengdu 610041
Tel +86-28-6689-7861
Fax +86-28)-6689-7863
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Visa Section
Chengdu, China Tel +86-28-6689-7862 Fax +68-28-6689-7863
https://chengdu.thaiembassy.org
thaiconsulate.CTU@mfa.go.th, consular.CTU@mfa.go.th, thaictuconsular@gmail.com
Building No.3, City Hotel Xiamen

No. 16 Hu Yuan Road, Xiamen, Fujian361003
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Tel+86-592-202-7980, 202-7982
Xiamen, China 24-Hour Hotline +86-181-5090-7662
Fax +86-592-205-8816
https://xiamen.thaiembassy.org
thaiconsulate.xmn@mfa.go.th
11 East, Diamond Peninsula, Qujiang New District, Yannan 3rd Rd, Xi’an, Shaanxi
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Xi’an, Tel+86-29-89312831, 89312863
China Fax +86-29-89312935
https://xian.thaiembassy.org
thaixian@outlook.com, thaiconsulate.xiy@mfa.go.th
1st and 2nd Floors, 52-1 Jinhu Road, Orient Manhattan, Nanning, Guangxi 530022
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Tel +86-771-5526945-47
Nanning, China Fax +86-771-5594997
https://nanning.thaiembassy.org
thaiconsulate.nng@mfa.go.th
44
36 Youhe Lu, HaizhuDistrict, Guangzhou 510310,PRC
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Tel +86-20-8385 8988
Guangzhou, China Fax +86-20-8388 9567
https://guangzhou.thaiembassy.org
gzthaicg@163.com, thaiconsulate.GUG@mfa.go.th, econ.GUG@mfa.go.th
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Fairmont House, 8th Floor, 8 cotton Tree Drive, Central
Kong, China Tel +852-2521-6481-5
Fax +852-2521-8629
http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk
18th Floor, Shuncheng Twin Tower, East Building, Dong Feng Xi Lu Road, Kunming,
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Yunnan
Kunming, China Tel+86-871-6314-9296, 6316-6616
Fax +86-871-6316-6891
https://kunming.thaiembassy.org
consular.kmg@mfa.go.th
No.18, Wanshan Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200336

Tel+86-21-5260-9899
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fax +86-21-5260 9898
Shanghai, China Thailand Business Information Center +86-21-6288-9072, Tel/Fax +86-21-6288-9139
https://thaishanghai.thaiembassy.org
thaiconsulate.sgh@mfa.go.th
No. 9 Road, Ban Huameuang,

KaysonePhomvihane City,Savannakhet Province
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Tel +856-41-212-373
Savannakhet, Lao PDR Fax +856-41-212-370
https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org
thaiconsulate.svk@mfa.mail.go.th, bic.svk@mfa.mail.go.th
Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho 77 Tran Quoc Thao Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel+84-28-393-2763
Fax +84-28-3932-6002
https://hochiminh.thaiembassy.org
thaiconsulate.hom@mfa.go.th
45
Vietnam Diplomatic and Consular Missions in Mekong-Lancang Countries
Embassies
436 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh

Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia Tel +855-23-726273-4
Fax +855-23-362314
Vnembassy03@yahoo.com, vnembpnh@online.com.kh
No. 32 Guanghua Road, JianguomenwaiDajie, Beijing

P.O. Box 600
Vietnamese Embassy in China Tel +86-10-65321125, 55
Consular +86-10-65327038
Fax +86-10-65325720
suquanbk@yahoo.com
Thatluang Road, Vientiane

Vietnamese Embassy in Lao PDR Tel +856-21-413409, 414602
Consular +856-21-413400
Fax +856-21-413379, 414601
dsqvn@laotel.com, lao.dsqvn@mofa.gov.vn
70-72 Than Lwin Road, Bahan Township, Yangon

Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar Tel +95-1-524656, 501993
Fax +95-1-524285
vnembmyr@cybertech.net.mm
83/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10300

Tel +66-2-2679602
Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand Consular +66-2-2515837, 115, 116
Fax +66-2-2544630
Consular +66-2-2517201, 2507525
46
Consulates-General
Vietnamese Consulate-General in Road No. 3, Battambang

Battambang, Cambodia Tel/Fax +855-53-952894
lsqvnbat@camintel.com
VietnameseConsulate-General in Tel/Fax +855-34-933669

Sihanoukville, Cambodia tlsqsiha@camintel.com
Vietnamese Consulate-General in 2nd Floor, Hotel Landmark, B Builidng North

Guangzhou, China Quiaoguang Road (Haizhu Square), Guangzhou
Tel +86-20-83305911, 6
Consular +86-20-83305910
Fax +86-20-83305915
Tlsq.quangchau@mofa.gov.vn
Vietnamese Consulate-General in Hong 15/F Great Smart Tower

Kong, China 230 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel +852-25166626, 25164510
Fax +852-25914524, 25914539
vnconsul@netvigator.com
Vietnamese Consulate-General in 2nd Floor, Kai Wah International Hotel

Kunming, China 157 Beijing Road, Kunming
Tel +86-871-3522669, 3515889
Fax +86-871-3516667
tlsqcm@yahoo.com
Vietnamese Consulate-General in 1st Floor, Touzi Dasha

Nanning, China 109 Minzu Avenue, Nanning
Tel +86-77-15510562
Fax +86-77-15534738
tlsqvn@rediffmail.com
Vietnamese Consulate-General in No. 427-428, Ban That Bosot, Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel +856-71-254745, 8, 9
Fax +856-71-254746
tlsqlpb@yahoo.com, luongpb@yahoo.com.vn
Vietnamese Consulate-General in 118 Sisavangvong, Muong Khanthabouli, Savannakhet

Savannakhet, Lao PDR Tel +856-41-212418
Fax +856-41-212182
Vietnamese Consulate-General in 31 Ban Phabat, Pakse, Champassak Province

Pakse, Lao PDR Tel +856-31-212058
Fax +856-31-212827
ksvnps@laotel.com
47
Vietnamese Consulate-General in 65/6 Chatapadung Road, KhonKaen 4000
KhonKaen, Thailand Tel +66-43-242190
Fax +66-43-241154
khue@loxinfo.co.th, konkaen.th@mofa.gov.vn
48
Consular Missions: Number of Consulates-General
Numbers of Consulates-General
Country Cambodia China Lao PDR Myanmar Thailand Viet Nam
Cambodia 9 1 0 1 1
China 0 1 1 3 2
Lao PDR 1 6 0 1 2
Myanmar 0 3 0 1 0
Thailand 0 9 1 0 1
Viet Nam 2 4 3 0 1
49
Good Practices and Areas for Improvement By Country
Country Cambodia Lao PDR Myanmar Thailand Viet Nam China
Good Practices MOFA MOFA 24-hour MOFA

website is website is consular website is
clear about clear & protection clear about
consular detailed about hotline for consular
services for consular citizens services for
citizens abroad services for abroad citizens
citizens abroad
abroad
ASEAN: No ASEAN: No ASEAN: No ASEAN: No ASEAN: No

visas for visas for visas for visas for visas for
ordinary ordinary tourist ordinary ordinary ordinary
tourist travel travel within tourist travel tourist travel tourist travel
within ASEAN within within within
ASEAN ASEAN ASEAN ASEAN
Relatively Relatively Relatively Relatively
open visa open visa open visa open visa
policy; visa on policy; visa on policy; visa policy; visa
arrival and/or arrival and/or on arrival on arrival
e-visa easily e-visa easily and/or e-visa and/or e-visa
available for available for easily easily
many many countries available for available for
countries many many
countries countries
42
E-visa website E-visa website
available in available in
Chinese Chinese
language language
Relatively Relatively
greater use of greater use of
integrated integrated
ICT; use of e- ICT; use of e-
visa in most visa in most
border border
crossings crossings
COVID-19 COVID-19 All COVID- COVID-19 COVID-19

travel travel 19restrictions travel travel
restrictions are restrictions are are lifted restrictions restrictions
minimal or nil minimal or nil are minimal were in place
or nil until
December
2022
Areas for Improvement MOFA website E-visa website E-visa E-visa Relatively
tobe improved is not websiteis not website is not closed visa
in terms of available in available in available in policy; MLC
information on Chinese Chinese Chinese countries
consular language language language need visas,
matters generally not
available on
arrival or
through e-visa
43
Relatively less Relatively less Relatively less
use of use of use of
integrated integrated ICT; integrated
ICT; use of e- use of e-visa is ICT; use of e-
visa is limited limited to visa is limited
to some border some border to some
crossings crossings border
crossings
Little or no Little or no Little or no Little or no

travel advice travel advice travel advice travel advice
for citizens for citizens for citizens for citizens
traveling traveling traveling traveling
abroad abroad abroad abroad
44
Part Four. Analysis
Part Three reviewed basic information on visa regulations and consular services by country, and
listed diplomatic and consular missions by country, within the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation
countries. In general, consular services can be dividedinto two major areas: visa and other
services for foreigners; and advice, protection, and services for citizens overseas. Based on and
building from information from the previous Part, Part Four has identified good practices and
other observations of visa and consular practices. This analysis points towards possible steps
forward through greater cooperation and collaboration, which will be taken up in Part Five. The
analysis is summarized in the previous table, “Good Practices and Areas for Improvement by
Country.”
1. Good Practices
A. Good Practices in Consular Services
Cambodia, China, and Thailandhave clear information on their foreign ministry websites about
consular services for citizens abroad. The Thailand website in particular is detailed and
comprehensive. In addition, China, Thailand and Vietnam maintain 24-hour citizen consular
protection hotlines (in the case of China, there are also a website, WeChat account, and app).
B. Good Practices in Visa Services
As noted above, for the five ASEAN countries in the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation group, the
ASEAN visa policy is applied, so no visas are needed for ordinary tourist travel within ASEAN.
In terms of visa policies, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam are relatively open. Visa
free policy is applied for many nationalities including those from ASEAN. However, specific
conditions may apply regarding the bilateral consular agreements for the individual country. For
those who required to have visas for travelling into Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam,
visas on arrival are mostly available and can be arranged at the international airports and border
checkpoints. In addition, e-visa service for these countries are also available and easy to be
arranged in advance of travelling, but tourists are suggested to check the ports of entry where the
e-visa counters are available. Specifically, Cambodia and Lao PDR offer the e-visa service
through their e-visa websites, which are also available in Chinese language.
For Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam, COVID-19 restrictions are minimal or nil.
For Cambodiaand Thailand, there are no longer COVID-19 restrictions put in place. For Lao
PDR, full vaccination or most recent negative testisrequired. For Vietnam, COVID-19 insurance
coverage is required.
2. Travel Advice
45
Travel within and among Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries is very likely to regain the
long-term trend of increasing volume and complexity, after the negative impact of COVID-19.
According to the Global Consular Forum (2015):
“The safety of nationals overseas is of primary concern to governments. A preventive approach,

encouraging citizens to take safety measures before and during travel, can be very effective.
Travel advice communications should be multi-channel, using traditional as well as social media.
Information from governments is often perceived as boring or bureaucratic. This can be
countered by use of creative messaging, different media, and new technology. For example,
reality TV shows, two-way communications on social media, and use of mobile phone apps, can
all improve message access and effectiveness” (11).
Each Mekong-Lancang country has easily-available information and advice, for people from
Europe and North America, who wish to travel into the country. However, only Thailand and
Vietnamhave easily-available travel advice for their own citizens, to travel to other countries. In
contrast, countries in Europe and North America provide travel advice for their own citizens
traveling across the world. For example, the UK government website has travel advice for its
citizens for travel to over 200 countries and territories (14). Althoughthe development of the
provision of travel advice at a similar level is not a feasible expectation for Mekong-
Lancangcountries in the short-term, countriescan start providingtravel advice within the
Mekong-Lancang Cooperation platform as an initial step, and expand to other regions where
possible.
3. Information and Communication Technology

As noted above, Cambodia, Thailand, and China have clear information on their foreign
ministry websites about consular services. Part Three above listed consular missions by country;
from Part Three, it can be seen that only Myanmar, Thailand, and China maintain websites for
their consulates-general abroad. Citizens of Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam abroad may
contact their consulates-general by phone, fax, or e-mail, but they do not have access to a
website which can be maintained with up-to-date consular information. On the other hand, tt is
not evident which consulates-general maintain social media accounts, which can help in keeping
contact with citizens.
The US, Australia, and similar countries maintain comprehensive global consular websites with
travel advice and other consular information for their citizens abroad. According to the Global
Consular Forum (2015), more can be done to maximize the use of social media for consular
services. The advantages of social media are that it does not only provide instant two-way
communication at scale, but also “targeted, evergreen, innovative, and user-friendly” in
promoting safe travel (10).
As also noted above, for entry into Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam,
e-visas are available. These countries clearly already have thepotential ability to deliver internet-
based visa services for foreign travelers, and so should indeed have the ability to deliver
46
similarly internet-based consular services for their own citizens abroad. These can be a
combination of website-based and social media-based consular presence for citizens.
At the same time, there is relatively less use of integrated ICT for visa services in Cambodia,
Lao PDR, and Myanmar. For these countries, e-visas can only be used in some border
crossings, generally major international airports, and the most popular land border crossings.
There is relatively greater use of integrated ICT for visa services in Thailand and Vietnam; in
these countries, e-visas can be used in most air, sea, and land border crossings.
4. Global Considerations
In analyzing visa and consular services in the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries, several
issues, which pose global-level impact, are worth considering.
• In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on global travel,
economic development, and social wellbeing,
• Environmental degradation, climate change and global heating due to human
development are already having an impact on climate-sensitive populations in Mekong-
Lancang countries, and are likely to continue to worsen in the long-term (10 years or
more), and
• Political security considerations, such as war and civil unrest, continue to pose challenges
to global affairs and human development.
All of these global considerations may have impacts on the delivery of visa and consular services.
For example, because of COVID-19, at December 2022, China was still closed to tourism;
Chinese citizens could not leave for other countries as tourists, and ordinary passport holders of
other nationalities could not enter China as tourists. In this regard, It will be informative for other
Mekong-Lancang countries to assess the impact of COVID-19 on their citizens abroad and
implications for their consular services. Similar assessments can be made for climate change,
environmental impact, and political security. Such assessments would position consular services
to take a key role in broader foreign policy development and international cooperation.
47
Part Five. Recommendations
1. Visa Services: Improve visa services so that travel for Chinese citizens to other
Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries, and vice versa, is more convenient.
It is recommended that the 5 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries who are members of

ASEAN consider ways to have a more open and convenient visa policy for Chinese citizens
(ordinary passport holders). Conversely, it is recommended that China consider ways to have a
more open and convenient visa policy for visitors from MLC countries. For example, China
could allow visas on arrival or e-visas for visitors from MLC countries, the way those countries
currently allow visas on arrival or e-visas for Chinese visitors. A lasting solution is to adopt visa-
free entry for travelers within the Mekong-LancangCooperation countries, similar to visa-free
travel within ASEAN. It is recognized that such a solution is not likely to be achievedin the
short-term.However, it is important to continue dialogue and discussions,in order to develop
improvements for visa services across MLC countries.
2. Consular Services: Improve consular services for citizens abroad, at least to the
level provided by China, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, and with a view to
approach the level provided by countries in Europe and North America.
It is recommended that Lao PDR and Myanmar develop a clear statement of standard consular
services provided for all citizens abroad, and post this on their foreign ministry websites.
Mekong-LancangCooperation countries should consider developing a 24-hour citizen consular
protection hotline, similar to that of Thailand and Vietnam. AllMekong-Lancang countries
should have a clear policy for the safety of nationals overseas, and consider the possibility of
developing a formal consular charter, similar to countries in Europe and North America. A joint
Mekong-Lancangtemplate policy may be developed; this should then be followed up by specific
steps taken at national level.
3. Travel Advice: Develop simple, easily-available travel advice for citizens of

Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries traveling to foreign countries.
It is recommended that all Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries develop travel advice for
their own citizens, and post this on their foreign ministry websites, similar to Thailand and
Vietnam. As an initial step, each country can list the 10 countries abroad to which their citizens
travel most often, and develop simple 1-page travel advisories for each of these most-visited
countries; these are likely to include countries in the Mekong-Lancang group.
4. Online Services: Expand the online delivery of consular and visa services.
It is recommended that consulates-general of Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam abroad consider
setting up websites to deliver consular information for their citizens, similar to websites
maintained by China, Myanmar, and Thailand.
48
It is further recommended that all Mekong-LancangCooperation countries increase online
delivery of consular services, through a combination of website-based and social media-based
communication, reducing cost and improving responsiveness to citizen needs.
It is also recommended that e-visa services be expanded, so that e-visas can be used in all, or the
majority, of each country’s border crossings, similar to the e-visas used for Thailand and
Vietnam.
5. Other Considerations:Keep alert to the impact of global threats to consular

services, and work together to improve national and joint responses.
It is recommended that Mekong-LancangCooperation countries, individually and as a group,

assess the effects of global issues, such as COVID-19, climate change, and war and civil unrest,
on the needs of their citizens abroad, and the delivery of consular services.
6. Final recommendation:Establish a regular Mekong-Lancang Consular Forum,

similar to the Global Consular Forum.
A final recommendation of this report is that the Mekong-Lancang Coordination group of

countries consider the possibility of organizing a regular Mekong-Lancang Consular Forum. This
would be held annually, or once every two years, aiming at bringing together foreign ministry
senior consular officials from the six Mekong-LancangCooperation countries to discuss
experiences and good practices, and outlinemeans for improving coordination and cooperation
regardingvisa and consular good practicesthroughoutMLC countries.
This recommendation would be in line with the annual meeting of ASEAN’s Directors-General
for Immigration and Consular Matters (DGICM), and could indeed be held back-to-back with
meetings of DGICM, to increase the relevance and effectiveness of both. DGICM already covers
all dimensions of consular cooperation within ASEAN in detail, so this recommended forum
would add a formal mechanism for the five MLC countries represented in DGICM to cooperate
with China.
A useful contrast is the Global Consular Forum, which has successfully met three times (2013,
2015, and 2016). While the proposal for the establishment of a Mekong-Lancang Consular
Forum would not immediately have a similar impact as its global counterpart, it would go a long
way towards visa and consular coordination and cooperation.
49
List of Sources
1) “What is Consular Affairs?” Global Consular Forum website,

http://globalconsularforum.com
2) United Nations (1963) Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR)
3) “A Brief Introduction of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation,” Mekong-Lancang Cooperation

China Secretariat website, http://www.MLCchina.org
4) “Documents,” MLC China Secretariat website, http://www.MLCchina.org
5) “About ASEAN,” ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) website,

https://asean.org
6) “ASEAN Political-Security Community,” ASEAN website, https://asean.org/our-

communities/asean-political-security-community/
7) “Immigration and Consular Matters,” ASEAN website, https://asean.org/our-

communities/asean-political-security-community/peaceful-secure-and-stable-
region/immigration-and-consular-matters/
8) ASEAN (2022) Draft Summary Report of the Twenty-Fifth ASEAN Directors-General of

Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of
Foreign Affairs (25th DGICM), Singapore, 24-25 August 2022
9) Chandra AC, Almuttaqi AI, Azis A, and Fadhilla A (2018) Towards an ASEAN Common
Visa: A Comprehensive Feasibility Study, published by the Habibie Center
10) Global Consular Forum (2016) Seoul Consensus Statement on Consular Cooperation
11) Global Consular Forum and Wilton Park (2015) Report: Global Consular Forum 2015
12) Hoorens S, Nederveen F, Niemi T-E, Jordan V, Cox K, Bentinck M (2019) “Die
Nederlanderskom je ookoveraltegen”: Consular services for citizens abroad: insights from an
international comparative study, published by RAND Europe
13) Canada House of Commons (2018) Strengthening the Canadian Consular Service Today and
for the Future: Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International
Development, Michael Levitt, Chair, November 2018
14) “Foreign Travel Advice,” https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
50
Annexes
Annex 1: Photos
Chinese President Xi Meets with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun (Source: China MOFA)
Mekong-Lancang Cooperation 1st Leaders’ Meeting 2016 (Source: MLC China Secretariat
website)
51
Mekong-Lancang Cooperation 3rd Leaders’ Meeting 2020 (virtual) (Source: MLC China
Secretariat website)
52
Annex 2: Visa Matrices for ASEAN and Non-ASEAN Nationals as of 17 August 2022 (Source: ASEAN DGICM)
Visa Requirement for ASEAN Nationals

The ASEAN Secretariat staff is requested to be granted visa free facilities if attending ASEAN meetings/activities
To
Brunei Cambodia Indonesia Lao PDR Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Viet Nam
From
DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP DP SP OP
Brunei
- - - n4 n4 n4 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n n n n4 n4 n4 n6 n6 n6 n n n n6 n6 n6 n4 n4 n4
Darussalam
Cambodia n4 n4 n4 - - - n4 n4 n6 n7 n7 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n6
n4 n4 n4 n4 n4 n6 - - - n4 n4 n6 n n n6 n4 n4 n4 n6 n6 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n6 n4 n4
Indonesia
n4
Lao PDR n6 n6 n6 n7 n7 n6 n4 n4 n6 - - - n n n6 n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6
Malaysia n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n6 - - - n6 n6 y n6 n6 n6 n n n n6 n6 n6 n n n6
Myanmar n4 n4 n4 n6 n6 n4 n4 n4 n6 n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 y - - - n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n4
Philippines n4 n4 n4 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n4 - - - n n n6 n7 n7 n6 n6 n6 n6
Singapore n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n6 n n n n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 - - - n6 n6 n6 n7 n7 n6
Thailand n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n4 n7 n7 n6 n n n6 - - - n6 n6 n6
Viet Nam n4 n4 n4 n6 n6 n6 n4 n4 n6 n6 n6 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n4 n6 n6 n6 n n n6 n6 n6 n6 - - -
Note:
DP = Diplomatic Passport
SP = Service/official Passport n4 = Visa is not required for a visit of less than 14 days
OP = Ordinary Passport n5 = Visa is not required for a visit of less than 21 days
n = Not required n6 = Visa is not required for a visit of less than 30 days
y = Yes required 30 days applies for Filipinos coming directly from the Philippines. If on or before the expiry of the 30-day period,
these Filipinos exit Thailand and later re-enter the country from either Myanmar, Lao PDR or Cambodia, the
allowed period of stay is shortened to 15 days (FSC 21-10 dated 22 Feb 2010)
n7 = Visa is not required for a visit of less than 90 days
53
Visa Requirements for Foreign Nationals to Enter ASEAN Member States
Brunei
No. Country Cambodia Indonesia Lao PDR Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Viet Nam
Darussalam
Y3
(may apply
for a visa
1. Afghanistan Y Y or Y5 Y Y Y Y only from the Y Y3 Y9
Philippine
Embassy in
Islamabad)
2. Albania Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N1 Y Y or N12 N3 Y+Y8 Y9
3. Algeria Y Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y N1 Y Y3 Y Y3 Y8
4. Andorra Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 N3 Y
5. Angola Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y Y9
Antigua &
6. Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
Barbuda
5 3 13 5 1 3 12 1 1
7. Argentina Y Y or Y N or Y Y or Y N Y N or N N N Y8
8. Armenia Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y5 or Y9 N3 Y Y+N12 Y8 Y Y8
9. Australia Y3 or Y5 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N Y+N3 Y
10. Austria N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N or N12
3
N1 N3 Y
11. Azerbaijan Y Y or Y5 N3 Y5 or Y9 N3 Y Y Y9 Y Y9
12. Bahamas Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
13. Bahrain Y orY5
3
Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N1 Y N3 N3 N3 Y
14. Bangladesh Y7 or Y Y or Y9 N3 Y or Y9 Y Y8 Y or N12 Y7 Y3 Y8
15. Barbados Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
16. Belarus Y Y or Y9 N or Y13
3
Y5 or Y9 N2 Y9 Y Y8 Y+Y8 Y9 + N4
17. Belgium N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 N3+Y8 Y
18. Belize Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
19. Benin Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
20. Bhutan Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y5 + Y8 Y
21. Bolivia Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
Bosnia &
22. Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N1 Y Y N3 Y Y
Herzegovina
23. Botswana Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
N3
24. Brazil Y Y or Y9 N3 or Y13 Y5 or Y8 N1 Y9+ Y5 N3 N1+Y8 Y8
(59 days for
54
Brunei
Darussalam
regular
passport
holders –
extendable to
90 days upon
proper
application
with BI – for
business
pleasure)
or N12
(6 months for
temporary
visit)
Brunei
25. --------- N4 N3 Y9 or N3 N Y10 + Y5 N3 N N3+Y9 Y10 + N4
Darussalam
26. Bulgaria N1 Y or Y8 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 Y5 Y8
27. Burkina Faso Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y Y
28. Burundi Y Y or Y5 N3 Y Y Y N3 N3 Y Y
29. Cambodia N4 --------- N3 Y8 or N3 N3 Y9 + Y5 N or N12
3
N3 N4 +Y9 Y9 + N3
30. Cameroon Y Y or Y5 Y Y Y Y N3 N Y3 Y
31. Canada Y2 or N4 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N N3 Y
32. Cape Verde Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
Central African
33. Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y3 Y
Republic
34. Chad Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y8
N or N12
3
(3 months for
35. Chile Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N1+Y8 N1+ Y8
temporary
visit)
N12 Y9 + N5
(30 days for (except
Y10 or Y13
Y9 or Y5 temporary Macao,
36. China (ordinary Y5 or Y9 N3 or Y13 Y9 Y14 Y5 + Y 9
Y10 or Y5 Y9 + Y5 visit) Hong Kong)
passport)
or
N4(Chinese
55
Brunei
Darussalam
from
mainland
with valid
Australian,
Japanese,
Canadian or
Schengen or
US visa is
granted 7
days initial
stay;
14 days visa-
free for Hong
Kong SAR
and Macau
SAR
passports;
7 days visa
free for
Macau-
Portuguese
and Hong
Kong British)
or Y
37. Colombia Y Y9 or Y5 Y Y or Y5 Y Y8 N3 N3 Y8 Y8
38. Comoros Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
39. Congo Y Y or Y5 Y Y Y Y N3 N3 Y3 Y
Costa Rica N4
(Ordinary,
40. Diplomatic Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y8 Y8
and Official
Only)
41. Cote d’Ivoire Y Y or Y5 N3 Y Y Y N3 N3 Y Y8
42. Croatia N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N + N12
3
N1 Y8 Y9
43. Cuba Y Y7 or Y5 N3 Y5 or Y8 N1 Y Y + N12 N3 Y Y9
44. Cyprus N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N Y5 Y8
56
Brunei
Darussalam
45. Czech Republic N1 Y or Y5 3
N or Y 13 8
Y or Y 5
N 1
Y5 3
N +N 12
N1 3
N +Y 8
Y15
Y3
(may apply
for a visa
Dem. People’s only
46. Y Y or Y5 Y Y7 or Y5 Y6 Y9 + Y5 Y Y Y9 + N5
Rep. of Korea from the
Philippine
Embassy in
Beijing)
Dem. Rep. of the
Congo
1 5 3 13 5 1 5 3 12 1 3
48. Denmark N Y or Y N or Y Y or Y N Y N or N N N N4
49. Djibouti Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y Y
50. Dominica Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y8
Dominican
51. Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
Republic
52. Ecuador Y Y or Y9 N3 Y5 or Y9 N3 Y N3 N3 Y9 Y11
3
Y (for
temporary
visit) +Y4 (for
53. Egypt Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y Y Y3 Y11
officials on
assignment)
or Y12
54. El Salvador Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y8
Equatorial
Guinea
56. Eritrea Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y Y
57. Estonia N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y9 or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 Y15 + N3 Y15
58. Ethiopia Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y5 Y
59. Fiji Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
60. Finland N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N or N12
3
N1 N3 N4
61. France N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 N3 +Y15 Y15 + N4
62. Gabon Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
63. Gambia Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
64. Georgia Y Y or Y5 N3 Y9 or Y5 N3 Y Y Y9 Y Y
57
Brunei
Darussalam
3 12
N or N
(3 months for
temporary
65. Germany N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N1 N3 +Y8 N4
visit and for
officials on
assignment)
66. Ghana Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N Y3 Y
67. Greece N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 N3 Y
68. Grenada Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
69. Guatemala Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
70. Guinea Y Y or Y5 Y Y N3 Y N3 N3 Y3 Y
71. Guinea-Bissau Y Y or Y5 Y Y Y Y N3 N3 Y Y
72. Guyana Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
73. Haiti Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
74. Honduras Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
75. Hungary N1 Y8 or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y8 or Y5 N1 Y5 N + N12
3
N1 N3 + Y8 Y8
76. Iceland N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y N3 N1 N3 Y
N4
(14 days visa-
free entry
extendable to
additional 7
Y5 days for a
(Holders of maximum
Diplomatic stay of 21
Y10
and Service days, with
(Diplomatic
77. India passports are N3 or Y13 Y or Y9 Y11 Y8 + Y5 valid Y7 Y3 +Y5 +Y8 Y8
and Official
exempted American,
passport)
from visa Japanese,
requirements Australian,
in 60 days) Canadian,
Schengen,
Singapore or
United
Kingdom visa
or permanent
58
Brunei
Darussalam
residence
permit)
+ N12
78. Indonesia N4 Y10 + N3 --------- Y10 or N4 N3 Y10 + Y5 N3 N12 / N3 N3 +Y9 Y10 + N3
79. Iran Y9 Y9 or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N4 Y Y + N12 Y Y3 Y12 + Y8
80. Iraq Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N3 Y Y3 Y Y3 Y8
81. Ireland N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N N3 Y
N or N12
3
(59 days for

temporary
82. Israel Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 Y6 Y5 N1 N3 + Y8 Y15
visit and for
officials on
assignment)
83. Italy N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 + N12 N1 N3 + Y8 Y15 + N4
84. Jamaica Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
85. Japan N4 Y or Y9 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N4
8
N1 Y15 +Y5 N3 N1 N3 +Y8 Y8 +N4
86. Jordan Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N1 Y Y3 Y7 Y Y
Y5 + Y9
(enter into
87. Kazakhstan Y Y or Y5 N3 Y9 or Y5 N3 Y N3 or N12 Y9 Y9
force on 17
Nov’17)
88. Kenya Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
89. Kiribati Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
Y or Y5
Y9
(Holders of
(Diplomatic,
Diplomatic
Official and
and Special
Special
90. Kuwait passports are N3 or Y13 Y5 or Y9 N1 Y N3 or N12 N3 N3 + Y8 Y8
Passport)
exempted
or Y13
from visa
(for ordinary
requirements
passport)
in 30 days)
91. Kyrgyzstan Y Y or Y5 N3 Y9 or Y5 N1 Y N3 Y9 Y Y9 + N3
92. Lao PDR N3 Y8 + N3 N3 --------- N3 Y + Y5
9
N + N12
3
N3 N3 Y9 + N3
93. Latvia N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y9 or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 Y5 Y
59
Brunei
Darussalam
5 3 5 1 3 3
94. Lebanon Y Y or Y N Y or Y N Y Y Y Y Y
95. Lesotho Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N8 Y N3 N Y Y
96. Liberia Y Y or Y5 Y Y Y Y N3 N3 Y3 Y8
Libyan Arab
97. Y Y or Y5 Y13 Y N4 Y Y3 Y Y3 Y
Jamahiriya
1 5 3 13 5 8 3 3 8
98. Liechtenstein N Y or Y N or Y Y or Y N Y N N N +Y Y
99. Lithuania N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y5 or Y9 N1 Y5 N3 N1 Y5 Y
100. Luxembourg N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 N4 or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 N + Y8
3
Y
101. Madagascar Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
102. Malawi Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
103. Malaysia N3 N3 N3 Y9 or N3 --------- Y9 + Y5 N3 N N3 + Y8 N3
104. Maldives N4 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y5 y
105. Mali Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y N3 Y Y Y
106. Malta N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N Y5 Y15
107. Marshall Island Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
108. Mauritania Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
109. Mauritius Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y5 Y
N or N12
3
(90 days for

temporary
110. Mexico Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y8 or Y5 N3 Y N3 Y + Y8 Y8
visit; 30 days
for official
assignment)
111. Micronesia Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
112. Monaco Y Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N N3 Y
Y10
113. Mongolia (Diplomatic Y9 or Y5 N3 Y9 or N3 N3 Y9 N3 N3 N3 + Y9 Y8
and Official)
114. Montenegro Y Y or Y5 Y Y N3 Y8 Y8
115. Morocco Y9 Y9 or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N1 Y8 N3 + N12 Y12 Y + Y8 Y11
116. Mozambique Y Y or Y5 N3 Y Y Y N3 N Y Y8
117. Myanmar N4 Y9 or N4 N3 Y9 or N4 Y9 --------- N + N12
3
N12/N3 Y + Y9 Y + N4
9
118. Namibia Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
119. Nauru Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N8 Y Y N Y Y
120. Nepal Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y8+Y5 N3 N3 Y3 + Y8 Y
60
Brunei
Darussalam
121. Netherlands N1 Y or Y 5 3
N or Y 13
Y or Y 5
N 8
Y5
N 3
N 3
N +Y 8
Y
122. New Zealand N3 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N N3 Y
123. Nicaragua Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y9
124. Niger Y Y or Y5 Y Y Y Y N3 N3 Y Y
125. Nigeria Y Y or Y5 Y Y Y Y Y3 Y7 Y3 Y
126. Norway N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y15 or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 + N12 N1 N3 N4
127. Oman N3 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y N3 N3 N + Y9
3
Y
Y + Y4
3
Y10
(3 months
128. Pakistan (Diplomatic Y or Y5 Y Y5 or Y8 Y9 Y Y Y3 + Y12 Y8
temporary
and Official)
visit)
129. Palau Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
130. Panama Y Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N3 Y N + N12
3
N3 Y+Y8 Y11
Papua New
131. Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y5 Y
Guinea
5 3 5 3 3 3
132. Paraguay Y Y or Y N Y or Y N Y N N Y Y8
N or N12 (90
3
days
temporary
133. Peru N4 Y9 or Y5 N3 Y5 or Y8 N1 Y N3 N1 Y11
visit; 30 days
for official
assignment)
Y9 + N9
134. Philippines N4 Y9 or N3 N3 Y9 or N3 N3 Y9 + Y5 --------- N12 / N3 N3 + Y8
N10
135. Poland N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y5 or Y8 N1 Y5 N3 + N12 N1 N3 + Y8 Y15
136. Portugal N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 N1 N3 Y
Y13
(Entry VOA
137. Qatar Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y N3 N3 N3 Y
through airport
only)
Y5 N3 + N12
(Holders of (for
138. Rep. of Korea N3 Diplomatic N3 or Y13 Y8 or N3 N1 Y8 + Y5 temporary N1 N1 Y8 + N4
and Service visit and for
passports are officials on
61
Brunei
Darussalam
exempted assignment)
from visa
requirements
in 60 days)
139. Rep. of Moldova Y Y or Y5 N3 Y9 or Y5 N3 Y Y Y9 Y Y8
140. Romania N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N or N12
3
N1 Y+Y8 Y9
N4
(Ordinary,
Russian
141. Diplomatic Y or Y7 N3 or Y13 Y9 or N3 N3 Y8 + Y5 N3 + N12 Y8 N3 + Y8 Y8 + N4
Federation
and Official
Only)
142. Rwanda Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y N3 N3 Y Y
143. St. Kitts & Nevis Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N3 Y Y
144. St. Lucia Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
St. Vincent & the
Grenadines
146. Samoa Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N2 Y N3 N Y Y
147. San Marino Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N2 Y N3 N Y5 Y
Sao Tome &
148. Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y3 Y
Principe
149. Saudi Arabia Y13 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y N3 Y4 N3 Y
150. Senegal Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
151. Serbia Y Y or Y5 N3 Y9 or Y5 Y Y8 Y N3 Y8 Y8
N
(Visa is not
152. Seychelles Y required for N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y8
visit of 15
days)
153. Sierra Leone Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N8 Y Y N Y3 Y
154. Singapore N3 N3 N3 Y9 or N3 N8 Y + Y5
9
N3 --------- N + Y9
3
Y8 + N3
155. Slovakia N1 Y or Y5
7
N3 or Y13 Y5 or Y8 N1 Y5 N3 + N12 N1 N3 + Y8 Y15
156. Slovenia N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N3 + N12 N1 N3 Y8
157. Solomon Islands Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
158. Somalia Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N3 Y Y3 Y Y3 Y
62
Brunei
Darussalam
5 3 13 5 8 5 3 3 3 8
159. South Africa Y Y or Y N or Y Y or Y N Y N N N +Y Y8
160. Spain N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N or N12
3
N1 N3 + Y15 Y + N4
15
161. Sri Lanka Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y8 Y3 or N12 N Y3 + Y8 Y8

162. Sudan Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N1 Y Y3 Y Y3 Y11
163. Suriname Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
164. Swaziland Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
165. Sweden N1 Y or Y5 N or Y13
3
Y or Y5 N1 Y5 N or N12
3
N1 N3 N4
N3 + N12
(21 days for
166. Switzerland NI Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y8 or N4 N8 Y5 N N3 + Y8 Y15
temporary
visit)
Y3 + N12
(60 days for
167. Syrian Arab Rep. Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N1 Y Y Y3 Y
temporary
visit)
168. Taiwan Y13 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N3 Y5 Y N3 Y5
Y10
(Diplomatic,
169. Tajikistan Service and Y or Y5 N3 Y9 or Y5 N3 Y N3 Y9 Y + Y8 Y
Official
passport)
N3 + N12
Y9 or N4
(21 days for
170. Thailand (for ordinary Y9 or N4 N3 Y9 or N3 N3 Y9 + Y5 N12 / N3 --------- Y9 + N3
temporary
passport)
visit)
The Former
171. Yugoslav Rep. of Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 Y Y Y N3 Y Y8
Macedonia
172. Timor-Leste Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y9 or Y5 N3 Y Y3 N3 Y
173. Togo Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 N3 Y Y
174. Tonga Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N8 Y Y N Y Y
Trinidad &
Tobago
3 12
N +N
176. Tunisia Y Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y (2 months for Y7 Y+ Y8 Y11
temporary
63
Brunei
Darussalam
visit)
Y5 or Y9
(Holders of
Diplomatic,
Service and
N3 (Diplomatic, Special
177. Turkey Special, Service N3 or Y13 Y15 or Y N1 Y N3 + N12 N3 N3 +Y8 Y11
and Ordinary)
passports are
exempted
from visa
requirements
in 30 days)
178. Turkmenistan Y Y or Y5 N3 Y5 or Y9 N1 Y N3 Y9 Y Y
179. Tuvalu Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
180. Uganda Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
181. Ukraine N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y5 or Y9 N3 Y5 Y Y8 Y5+Y8 Y8
United Arab
182. N3 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N1 Y N3 N3 N3 Y11
Emirates
183. United Kingdom N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N N3 N4
United Rep. of
184. Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y8
Tanzania
United States of
185. N1 Y or Y5 N3 or Y13 Y or Y5 N8 Y5 N3 N N3 Y
America
9 5 3 5 1 3 3 8
186. Uruguay Y Y or Y N Y or Y N Y N N Y+Y Y8
Holders of
Diplomatic
passports are
exempted
187. Uzbekistan Y Y or Y5 N3 Y5 or Y9 N3 Y N3 Y15 Y5 from visa
requirements
less than 60
days
188. Vanuatu Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N8 Y N3 N Y Y
N + N12
3
(3 months for
189. Venezuela Y Y or Y5 N3 Y or Y5 N3 Y N3 Y Y8
temporary
visit)
64
Brunei
Darussalam
3 12
N +N
(30 days for
diplomatic
passport
190. Viet Nam N4 N3 N3 Y9 or N3 N3 Y9 + Y5 holders only N12 / N3 N3 ---------
for temporary
visit and
official
assignment)
191. Yemen Y Y or Y5 Y Y or Y5 N1 Y Y3 Y Y3 Y
192. Zambia Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N8 Y N3 N Y Y
193. Zimbabwe Y Y or Y5 N3 Y N8 Y N3 N Y Y
65
Note:
Content of the Matrix is based on the information submitted by ASEAN Member States as 24 August 202.
Y : Visa is required for tourists coming to the respective ASEAN Member States. Albania, N : Visa is not required for tourists coming to the respective ASEAN
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, China, Cuba, N1 : Visa is not required for a visit of 3 months and less
Georgia, Iran, Nauru, Moldova, Sierra Leone, Former Yugoslavia Rep. of Macedonia, N2 : Visa is not required for a visit of 2 months and less
Tonga, and Ukraine nationals can apply for visa to the Philippines at any Philippine N2* : It is still being considered to change based on a new policy on Presidential Decree
Foreign Service Post No.18/2003
Y1 : Visa is required for a visit exceeding 3 months for social or business visit N3 : Visa is not required for a visit of 1 month and less
Y2 : Visa is required for a visit exceeding 2 weeks for social or business visit N4 : Visa is not required for a visit of 14 days and less
Y3 : Nationals from these countries may only apply for temporary visitor’s visa at their N5 : Holders of an ordinary passport entering Viet Nam for official purpose are exempted from
country of origin or place of legal residence visa requirement
Y4 : Holders of Diplomatic Passports are exempted from visa requirements N6 : No visa required for social / business and study
Y5 : Nationals from these countries may request visa on arrival N7 : Special approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs
Y6 : Special approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs N8 : No visa required for any purpose of visit
Y7 : Holders of Diplomatic and Officials/Service passports are exempted from visa N9 : Visa is not required for a visit of 21 days and less
requirements
Y8 : Holders of Diplomatic and Officials/Service passports are exempted from visa N10 : No visa is required for an entry not exceeding 15 days to attend ASEAN activities invited
requirements in 90 days by the ASEAN Secretariat or by host country institution/ organization
Y9 : Holders of Diplomatic and Officials/Service passports are exempted from visa N11 : Holders of an ordinary passport entering Laos for official purpose.
requirements in 30 days NOTE: 1. To enter Malaysia visa is required for any purpose of visa for:
Y10 : Holders of Diplomatic and Service passports are exempted from visa requirements in 14 - All holders of Certificate of Identity
days - All holders of laisser passer
Y11 : Holders of Diplomatic, Official, Consular and Special Passports are exempted from visa - All holders of Titre de Voyage
requirements in 90 days 2. To enter Viet Nam in 30 days visa is not required for official staffs of the
Y12 : Holders of Diplomatic passports are exempted from visa requirements in 30 days ASEAN Secretariat
Y13 : Nationals from these countries may request visa on arrival N12 : Holders of Diplomatic and Official passports are exempted from visa requirements.
Y14 : Holders of Diplomatic, Service and Public Affairs passports are exempted from visa NOTE: To enter the Philippines:
requirements for a stay of up to 30 days 1. 21 days for temporary visit for Mongolia, Switzerland, and Thai nationals;
Y15 : Holders of Diplomatic passports are exempted for visa requirements for a stay of up to 2. 30 days for temporary visit for Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Lao
90 days PDR, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Turkey nationals;
3. 30 days for temporary visit and for officials on assignment for Bangladesh, India, and
Iran nationals;
4. 59 days for temporary visit for Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Slovakia,
Spain, and Sweden nationals;
5. 59 days for temporary visit and for officials on assignment for Israel nationals;
6. 60 days for temporary visit and for officials on assignment for Argentina and Kuwait
nationals;
7. 90 days for temporary visit for Albania, Croatia, Cuba, Hungary, Morocco, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, Poland, and Slovenia nationals; and
8. 90 days for temporary visit and for officials on assignment for Croatia, Cuba,
Romania and Russian Federation nationals.
66

Visa and Consular Services Guidance for Mekong-Lancang Countries

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Visa and Consular Services Guidance for Mekong-Lancang Countries

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Guidance

Visa and Consular Services,

Vientiane, 11 November 2022

Part One. Purpose and Target Audience of this Document ............................ 1

In addition, this document could serve as an informative source for:

Part Two. Background

1. Visa and Consular Services

2. Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries

Since its launch in 2016, Mekong-Lancang Cooperation has been characterized by

In addition to multiple meetings of Leaders (heads of state and government), multiple

Map: Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Countries (Source: Hanoi Times)

3. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Many other related matters were taken up in the meeting:

The Global Consular Forum (www.globalconsularforum.com) presents a platform for analysis

1. Basic Information by Country

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:

Visa Matters, including E-Visa:

6. K (Khmer person with foreign

Other Notes on Visas:

Other Consular Services:

International Border Crossings:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn

1. Diplomatic/ Service 2. Tourist (L)

3. Transit (G) 4. Business (M)

5. Non-commercial exchange (F) 6. Work (Z)

9. Family member of foreigner resident

11. High-level talent (R.)

Other Notes on Visas:

Other Consular Services:

International Border Crossings:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mofa.gov.la

Consular Matters:Consular Department: www.consularlao.gov.la

Visa Matters, including E-Visa:https://laoevisa.gov.la

3. Courtesy (C-B1) 4. Business (I-B2 or NI-B2)

5. Expert (E-B2) 6. Labor (LA-B2)

7. Student (ST-B2) 8. Expert (E-B2)

9. Labor (LA-B2) 10. Short-term (NI-B3)

11. Long-term (I-B3) 12. Permanent (P-B3)

13. Spouse (SP-B3) 14. Transit (TR-B3)

15. Visit (T-B3)

LIST OF COUNTRIES HAVING REACHED

10 Bangladesh 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 06.01.2013

China 30 Days 08.10.1989

12 DPR Korea no mention Diplomatic and Service 27.03.1989

13 India 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 06.11.2002

15 Kuwait 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 28.10.2015

30 Days Diplomatic and Service 18.06.1978

17 Timor Leste 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 22.01.2004

90 Days Diplomatic and Service 01.06.2009

19 Kyrgyzstan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

20 Tajikistan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

21 Turkmenistan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

22 Uzbekistan 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

23 Armenia 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

30 Days Diplomatic 25.12.2017

25 Belarus 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.03.2014

26 Estonia 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

28 Latvia 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

30 Moldova 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

31 Ukraine 30 Days Diplomatic and Service 20.12.1984

32 Czech Republic 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 15.09.1978

33 Luxembourg Ordinary (Unilateral Visa

34 Poland 90 Days Diplomatic and Service 10.09.1981