Neue Einreisebestimmungen für Laos: elektronische Registrierung über LDIF

04.09.2025

New rules for entering Laos: electronic registration via LDIF

From September 1, 2025, Laos has made an important step towards the digitization of immigration procedures. Now, foreign travelers entering or leaving the country are required to fill out an online arrival and departure card through the new system — Laos Digital Immigration Form (LDIF).

Until recently, travelers had to fill out paper cards at the border. LDIF allows this process to be completely electronic: the form must be submitted no later than three days before crossing the border. After filling out, the system generates a QR code, which is presented at the border point.

So far, digital registration is only valid at four international points:

Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
Luang Prabang International Airport
Pakse International Airport (Champasak Province)
Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge border crossing (Vientiane – Nong Khai)

According to representatives of the Laos Immigration Department, the current stage is a pilot. It will allow assessing the system's effectiveness before it covers all country's entry points, which is planned to be completed by 2026.

Filling out the form requires standard information: personal data, passport details, purpose of visit, vehicles, address of stay in Laos, and visa information if it was issued in advance. It will also be necessary to upload a passport photo and a selfie with the document. The process of filling out the departure card is similar, but more simplified.