The Department of State has arranged a special chartered flight for U.S. citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) currently expected to depart Vientiane around 5:00 p.m. this Saturday, April 11, for San Francisco, CA. Exact departure time and routing are subject to change.
Please note that seats on this flight are limited, but there are still a few available. If you wish to be on this flight you have to follow these steps in order:
- Complete the evacuation flight surveyform online.
- Submit the Form DS-5528 Evacuee Manifest Promissory Note online. If you see the message “Your response was submitted. Thank you very much!” you have successfully submitted the form. Do not ask for email confirmation.
- Send an email to LaosEvac@state.gov confirming you wish to have a seat on the flight. Submit Last Name, First Name, PPT# for each person. Please also indicate that you have completed the evacuation flight survey and Form DS-5528 online.
- We will email you final flight confirmation. Do not come to the airport unless you have received an email with the Subject line: FLIGHT CONFIRMATION.
U.S. Citizens who have already completed the above steps will receive a final flight confirmation email Thursday evening, April 9. Please do not re-complete the above steps if you have already done them.
The Embassy has arranged a charter flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, departing at 9:00 a.m. on April 11 and arriving in Vientiane at 9:45 am. If you are in Luang Prabang and wish to be on this flight so that you can then board the special chartered flight to the United States, please send an email to LaosEvac@state.gov with subject line: LPB Flight Last Name, First Name, PPT#. Please indicate in the body of the email additional passengers. All passengers on this flight will be expected to board the ongoing chartered flight to the United States. Do not express interest in boarding this plane if you do not wish to be repatriated to the United States.
What is the Form DS-5528?
Completing the Form DS-5528 Evacuee Manifest and Promissory Note is your formal agreement to reimburse the U.S. Government for the flight. Current estimated cost for the chartered flight from Vientiane to San Francisco is $1900/adult. Costs for children and infants are lower. Cost of the Luang Prabang – Vientiane flight is approximately $200/adult. No cash or credit card payments will be accepted. You will be responsible for any arrangements or costs (lodging, onward destination or local transportation, etc.) beyond your initial destination in the United States.
You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the Form DS-5528 and the chartered flight here.
U.S. citizens without a valid U.S. passport who wish to depart on this flight should send their name, date of birth, and the number of their most recent expired passport to laosevac@state.gov. Please indicate that the passport is expired. You will be contacted with information on how to obtain an emergency passport.
U.S. Legal Permanent Residents (holders of valid Green Cards) who wish to depart on this flight should send their name, date of birth, and A number (Green Card number) to laosevac@state.gov.
Unless you receive an email confirming your flight, please do not come to the airport. Only those with email confirmations will be permitted to fly.
The Embassy is not aware of any option available to U.S. Citizens for leaving Laos via commercial means. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should avail themselves of this chartered flight unless they are prepared to remain in Laos indefinitely.
