All foreign nationals entering or departing Laos must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) online within three days before arrival and again before departure, effective September 1, 2025 at four pilot checkpoints: Wattay International Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport, and the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. Full rollout to all international checkpoints begins January 1, 2026. The digital form generates a QR code valid for three days that immigration officers scan at entry and exit — paper arrival and departure cards are no longer accepted at pilot locations.
The LDIF does not replace visa requirements; most travelers from the US, Canada, EU, Australia, and New Zealand still need a visa on arrival (approximately $40 USD) or an eVisa obtained separately. Failure to complete the form before travel may result in entry denial at affected checkpoints, and the QR code expires 72 hours after generation.
Laos has eliminated paper immigration cards at its busiest entry points, replacing them with a mandatory online submission system that went live during the northern hemisphere’s peak travel season.
The Lao Digital Immigration Form pilot launched September 1, 2025, at Vientiane’s Wattay hub, Luang Prabang and Pakse airports, and the primary land crossing from Thailand. Travelers arriving at these checkpoints without a completed digital form face processing delays or denial of entry — the paper alternative no longer exists.
The system expands to all international checkpoints on January 1, 2026. For travelers booking flights to Laos from Australasia or other regions, this adds a pre-departure task with a narrow three-day submission window and a QR code that expires if generated too early.
How the digital form works
The LDIF requires travelers to submit personal details, passport information, flight itinerary, accommodation addresses, and visa details through the official Laos Immigration portal between 72 hours and one hour before arrival. The system generates a QR code delivered as a PDF download or screenshot, which immigration officers scan at the checkpoint.
The process mirrors regional digital arrival card systems introduced across Southeast Asia in 2025 and 2026 — Thailand eliminated its TM6 paper form in May 2025, and Vietnam launched a similar system on April 15, 2026. Processing time at immigration drops from several minutes of handwriting and manual data entry to under 60 seconds when the QR code scans successfully.
Travelers must complete a second LDIF submission within three days before departure. The departure form is separate from the arrival submission and generates its own QR code.
| Checkpoint | Type | Pilot start | Full rollout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattay International Airport (VTE) | Air | September 1, 2025 | Active |
| Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) | Air | September 1, 2025 | Active |
| Pakse International Airport (PKZ) | Air | September 1, 2025 | Active |
| Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I | Land | September 1, 2025 | Active |
| All other international checkpoints | Mixed | Paper cards still required | January 1, 2026 |
Submission is free. The portal operates in English and requires a passport scan, recent photo upload, and exact flight or vehicle details matching your ticket and accommodation booking.
What this means for visa requirements
The LDIF is a logistical declaration, not a visa replacement. Most travelers from the United States, Canada, European Union countries, Australia, and New Zealand still require a visa to enter Laos — either obtained on arrival for approximately $40 USD or through the eVisa portal in advance.
Laos does not offer visa-free entry to these nationalities. The digital form adds a pre-submission step without removing the visa requirement or fee.
Travelers entering via the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I who hold a valid Thai Border Pass are temporarily exempt from the LDIF during the pilot phase. This exemption ends when the system rolls out to all checkpoints on January 1, 2026.
Steps to complete the LDIF
The digital form must be submitted between 72 hours and one hour before your scheduled arrival in Laos.
- Access the portal: Visit immigration.gov.la/en/registration/arrival/arrival-info and select “Arrival Register.” Bookmark the page now — mobile signal at departure airports is unreliable.
- Prepare documents: Have your passport scan, a recent passport-style photo, flight confirmation with exact flight number and arrival time, and accommodation address ready before starting. The system rejects incomplete submissions.
- Input exact details: Enter passport information, visa details (if already obtained), flight itinerary, and accommodation address exactly as they appear on your documents. Mismatches between the LDIF and your passport or ticket can trigger manual verification delays.
- Download the QR code: After submission, the system generates a PDF with a QR code. Download it immediately and take a screenshot as backup. Print a copy if you have access to a printer — VIP and fast-track lanes at Vientiane and Luang Prabang accept printed codes.
- Submit a departure form: Repeat the process within three days before your exit flight. The departure form is separate and generates a new QR code. Multi-entry trips require a fresh LDIF for each entry and exit.
Watch: The January 1, 2026 rollout will extend the LDIF requirement to all land and air checkpoints, including secondary crossings from Vietnam and Cambodia where paper cards are currently still accepted.
Does the LDIF integrate with the Laos eVisa system?
No, they are separate systems. Travelers who obtain an eVisa through lao.gov.la (processing takes 3–5 business days) must still complete the LDIF within three days of travel. Immigration officers scan both the eVisa approval document and the LDIF QR code at the checkpoint. The eVisa does not auto-populate LDIF fields.
What happens if the QR code fails to scan due to phone or technical issues?
A printed PDF of the QR code is accepted at all pilot checkpoints. If both the phone and printed copy fail, immigration officers may issue a manual paper card, but this triggers processing delays and risks entry denial during peak hours. Carry a backup screenshot and a printed copy, and ensure your phone is fully charged before arrival.
How does the LDIF affect travelers making multiple trips to Laos?
Each entry and exit requires a separate LDIF submission. The system does not store previous submissions or allow cumulative entries. Travelers on multi-entry visas must complete a new arrival form within three days before each entry and a new departure form within three days before each exit. Re-entry requires a fresh visa stamp and a new LDIF QR code.
Are there any checkpoints where paper cards are still accepted?
Yes, until January 1, 2026. Land and air checkpoints not included in the pilot phase — such as secondary border crossings from Vietnam and Cambodia, and smaller regional airports — still require paper arrival and departure cards. The LDIF is not yet implemented at these locations. After January 1, 2026, all international checkpoints will require the digital form.
