Today I tried a different branch of my bank and lucked out with a teller who went to all his colleagues to collect the best-looking bills he could find. Not brand new but probably good enough.

MichaelBKK--If the ATM is located outside customs at the LP airport, does that mean they'll accept US$ for the visa fee?

50,000 Kip is the biggest note in Laos now. This is worth about $6.00US
Zainib, in Laos it is preferred if you pay your visa fee in USD. I think it is $32.00 for US citizens. You can also pay in Baht, but you get a bad exchange rate. 1500Baht. Kip is NOT accepted.

Yes, the visa fee is posted in US$ and should be paid in US$. If you pay in anything else, they'll give you a terrible exchange rate (this is universal at immigration in SE Asia - I once saw a lady in Jakarta pay 10 Euros for a $10 visa).

The visa fee for US citizens is up to $35, plus $1 if you arrive after 4 pm, before 8 am or on Saturday or Sunday. There's a different visa fee for each country (don't ask me) so if your passport isn't US, you may have to pay more.

btw, around boston new bills are now required by anyone who is not a local, or the store/retaurant, etc. will not accept them..

t