From September 1, 2025, Laos will officially replace traditional paper-based immigration cards with a new Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF). All international visitors must now complete this online process before entering or leaving the country. The move modernizes Laos’s border management system and aligns it with other Southeast Asian nations adopting digital entry solutions.
What Is the Lao Digital Immigration Form?
The LDIF is an online enrollment system that substitutes paper arrival and departure cards. Every foreign traveler and stateless person carrying a passport must submit the form at least 72 hours before their trip. After submission, travelers receive a QR code valid for 72 hours, which must be shown at border checkpoints.
Who Must Complete the Form?
- All international citizens entering or leaving Laos
- Stateless travelers using a passport
Note: Lao citizens are exempt and do not need to complete the LDIF.
Where Is It Currently Applied?
The system is in its pilot phase and currently available at:
- First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge (Vientiane–Nong Khai)
- Pakse International Airport
- Luang Prabang International Airport
- Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
The government plans to expand the LDIF to all airports and land borders by 2026.
What Information Is Required?
The form collects details similar to those on traditional paper cards, including:
- Travel details: Arrival/departure date, checkpoint, and mode of transport
- Personal details: Full name, date of birth, nationality, occupation, phone number
- Passport details: Number, issue/expiry date, issuing country, photo, and a facial image with the passport
- Purpose of travel: Tourism, business, transit, visit, or official reasons
- Visa details: Type, number, place, and issue date (if applicable)
- Accommodation: Address, province, and check-in/check-out dates
How to Complete the Arrival Form
- Scan the QR code or visit immigration.gov.la
- Fill in personal, passport, and travel details
- Upload a passport copy and a facial image holding the passport
- Submit and receive a QR code confirmation
- Present the QR code at immigration upon arrival
How to Complete the Departure Form
- Access the departure section of the official portal
- Provide departure date, checkpoint, passport details, and last address in Laos
- Submit and receive a QR confirmation code
- Present the code to immigration officials when exiting
What Travelers Should Remember
- Fill out the form at least 72 hours before travel
- The QR code is valid for 72 hours only
- Use only the official immigration website to avoid scams
- Double-check entry and exit dates along with passport validity
Regional Context
Laos’s digital transition follows similar moves by Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Digitizing border processes improves security, reduces paperwork, and supports the country’s growing tourism industry.
Conclusion
For travelers heading to Laos in 2025 and beyond, the paper-based arrival and departure cards are no longer valid. Ensure you complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form online before travel, carry your QR code, and prepare for smoother border crossings as the country modernizes its entry system.
FAQ
When does the Lao Digital Immigration Form become mandatory?
It becomes mandatory on September 1, 2025.
Who needs to complete the LDIF?
All international travelers and stateless persons carrying a passport must fill it out. Lao nationals are exempt.
How long is the QR code valid?
The QR code is valid for 72 hours from the time of submission.
Where can I complete the form?
At the official immigration website: immigration.gov.la.