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Expatriates from Laos who currently reside in Canada might have any number of reasons to send money back to the region. Whether you’re looking to send money to family and friends traveling in Laos or you have a portfolio of business expenses to manage, check out our handy money transfer guide to find the best deal.
WorldRemit can help you get your money where it needs to go in minutes, with upfront exchange rates and low fees.
Use promo code FINDERCA on your first transfer and pay zero fees. T&Cs apply.
The “Rate” and “Amount Received” displayed are indicative rates that have been supplied by each brand or gathered by Finder.
Exchange rates are volatile and change often. As a result, the exchange rate listed on Finder may vary to the actual exchange rate quoted for the brand. Please confirm the actual exchange rate and mention “Finder” before you commit to a brand.
If you want to send money from Canada to Laos, you have a couple of options at your disposal. Two notable ways to send money include your bank or an online money transfer company.
Keo emigrated to Canada from Laos as a child, and has been living and working in Vancouver for over 20 years. When Keo returns to her home country in her early 30’s to visit her parents and her grandfather, she decides that she wants to move back to the region. She begins by sending regular transactions to her family to cover the cost of a down payment on a small house on the outskirts of Vang Vieng. She decides to compare her Canadian bank to an online money transfer service to see if she can track down a better deal. The comparison below is based on exchange rates in the spring of 2018, so check current rates before making your choice.
| Bank | Money Transfer Service 2 | |
|---|---|---|
Exchange rates | CAD$1 = LAK 6,300 | CAD$1 = LAK 6,500 |
Transfer fees | $25 | $10 |
Amount received (for $1,000) | LAK 6,300,000 | LAK 6,500,000 |
Transfer speed | 2 – 5 days | 1 – 2 days |
Options available | Bank-to-bank transfer | Bank-to-bank tranfer or cash pick-up |
Keo is pleased to discover that she can save LAK 200,000 (around $30) in the exchange rate with the money transfer option, with an additional $15 in fees on a transfer of $1,000. If Keo sends money every month, this amounts to almost $540 over the course of one year.
Safe ways to send emergency cash transfers to Laos
Emergency money transfers can be sent from Canadian branches of MoneyGram and Western Union and can be picked up in Laos at multiple locations. Some Canadian banks may also be able to transfer emergency cash funds to Canadia Bank for pick-up at certain locations. Major credit cards can also sometimes offer emergency cash to travelers (which is typically extended as a loan) or you may also be able to purchase a travel insurance policy to cover loss and theft while on vacation.
The Government of Canada recommends that Canadian travellers take normal security precautions in Laos (as of 15 September 2018). Street crime is prevalent in cities and towns, including Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng and bag theft occurs frequently. Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times. If you do need to collect cash at an agent location, be sure to do so in a safe neighborhood before dark and in the company of a trusted friend. Avoid displaying signs of affluence or carrying large sums of cash and be cautious when withdrawing money from ATMs.
When you’re ready to book a transfer you can click ‘Go to Site’ next to your chosen transfer provider on the interactive transfer comparison table at the top of the page. The process for transferring money to Laos varies depending on the method you choose.
Once you’ve lodged the transfer, you’ll get a tracking number as a reference. Keep this handy as the customer service staff will request this number should you have questions about your transaction.
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