Foreign travelers must submit the Lao Digital Immigration Form within 3 days of arrival

Laos now requires the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) for foreign travelers entering or leaving the country. The online form must be submitted within 3 days of arrival or departure and it generates a QR code for border checks.

The system went live in September 2025 and is now in force nationwide. It replaces paper arrival and departure cards at checkpoints and doesn't change visa rules.

Who needs to fill it out

The form applies to all foreign passport holders, including tourists, expats, digital nomads and travelers crossing by air or land. Lao citizens, permanent residents and Thai Border Pass holders are exempt.

Applicants need to enter personal details, passport and visa information, travel dates, entry and exit points, their address in Laos and transport details. Some reports also say border staff may ask for uploads such as a passport copy or selfie.

What travelers should do before crossing

The LDIF is free and the QR code stays valid for 3 days. Travelers can show it on a phone or print it out at immigration, but they shouldn't count on filling it out at the checkpoint if internet access is spotty.

Missing the form can slow processing at the border. Read our full Laos guide for the complete picture and check the latest visa updates before you travel.