A new online registration system for foreign travelers came into effect on September 1, 2025, in Laos: the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF).
The paper arrival and departure cards used until now have been replaced by a new digital form that must be completed at least three days before entering or leaving the country.
In its official announcement, the Department of Immigration of Lao PDR states that “all foreign nationals and stateless people using passport are required to register through LDIF at https://www.immigration.gov.la before enter into or depart from Lao PDR.”
Four points of entry into Laos are currently affected
The system has not yet been rolled out nationwide. For the time being, it only applies at four international border crossings:
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
- Luang Prabang International Airport
- Pakse International Airport (Champasak province)
- First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge border crossing (Vientiane – Nong Khai)
According to the authorities, this pilot phase will enable the effectiveness of the system to be assessed before it is gradually extended to all checkpoints in the country. The aim is to achieve full coverage by 2026.
A simplified and faster process for traveling to Laos
Online registration is done via the official portal immigration.gov.la.
The following information is required to complete the digital arrival card for Laos:
Laos Arrival Checkpoint:
- Arrival Checkpoint
- Arrival Date
Personal Information:
- Family name
- Name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Country of origin
- Phone number
Passport Information:
- Passport No.
- Date of issue
- Expiry date
- Place of issue
- Copy of passport
- “Selfie” of the traveler with their passport
Purpose of Entry:
- Diplomatic, Official, Visit, Business, Tourism, Transit
Means of Transportation:
- Arrival by: air, car, or bus
- Number of means of transportation
Travelling from:
- Country of origin
- Group travel (if applicable)
Visa Information:
- Type of visa (tourist, business, transit, visa exemption, visa on arrival, etc.)
- Visa number (if applicable)
- Date of visa issuance (if applicable)
- Place of visa issuance (if applicable)
- Visa image (if applicable)
Intended Address in Laos:
- Name of accommodation/hotel in Laos
- Province
- District
- Village
- Check In Date
- Check Out Date
As the the Laotian state news agency Lao News Agency points out, travelers will “receive a QR code valid for three days and have to show it at the border gate. Through the online platform, travelers will not have to fill out the traditional paper-based immigration forms.”
The process is identical, but simpler, for filling out the digital departure card from Laos.
One step closer to digital tourism
This system aims to reduce queues, facilitate the work of officials, and offer visitors a smoother experience, particularly at large airports.
Local authorities also hope that this change will help modernize the country’s image, strengthen border security, and boost international tourism, a key sector of the national economy.
Laos is thus aligning itself with a regional trend, with several Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand (TDAC), Cambodia (Cambodia e-Arrival), and Malaysia (MDAC), having already opted to digitize their immigration procedures by introducing digital arrival cards.
With this new system, the country aims to position itself as a more accessible destination, while adapting to international standards.
