Laos Requires Online Immigration Form Within 3 Days of Arrival
Laos Requires Online Immigration Form Within 3 Days of Arrival
VIENTIANE, April 24, 2026 — Laos has introduced a new digital immigration requirement for foreign travellers, mandating that visitors complete an online form within three days before entering the country and again within three days before departure.
The new Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) replaces traditional paper arrival and departure cards at selected major entry points, according to travel industry reports.
The rule currently applies at four crossings: Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport, and the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I border checkpoint.
Authorities said all foreign nationals must complete the form online before arrival rather than waiting until they reach immigration counters or border checkpoints.
The move is part of a broader shift toward digitising border procedures, streamlining passenger processing and improving immigration data management.
Officials noted that the online declaration does not replace visa requirements, meaning travellers must still separately verify whether they need a visa or qualify for visa exemptions.
Visitors are also reminded that passports must remain valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival and contain at least two blank pages.
Laos, a landlocked Southeast Asian nation popular for cultural tourism and overland travel, has been gradually modernising its tourism infrastructure as regional travel demand recovers.
The introduction of digital entry forms follows similar systems adopted by several Asian countries seeking faster border processing and stronger security screening.
