Laos Immigration Form (LDIF): Complete Traveler’s Guide for 2025

All travelers entering Laos are now required to complete the Laos Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) shortly before arrival.
The LDIF is the official digital immigration form of Laos, replacing the old paper “arrival card” and “departure card” that visitors used to fill out on the plane or at the border.

Instead of writing your details by hand at the checkpoint, you now submit them online in advance and receive a QR code.
You present that QR code to immigration officers when you arrive in Laos — and again when you leave, if you are exiting through a participating checkpoint.

This guide explains what the LDIF is, who must complete it, when to submit it, and how it affects your entry process.
It provides travelers with a clear, official-style explanation of what the Laos immigration form actually means in 2025.

The Laos Immigration Form, officially called the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF), is a mandatory online pre-arrival and pre-departure registration system.
It was introduced by the Lao Department of Immigration to modernize border control, reduce paperwork, and speed up passport checks at international entry points.

When you fill in the LDIF, you provide your personal information (full name, nationality, date of birth), passport details, planned date of entry, checkpoint, and your accommodation address in Laos.
You also confirm your travel details such as flight number or land crossing. After submitting the form, you receive a confirmation with a QR code.
That QR code is what officers scan to retrieve your data in the national arrival register, which is Laos’s electronic record of all incoming visitors.

Important: The LDIF is not a visa. It does not replace an eVisa, visa on arrival, or visa exemption. You must still meet Laos’s visa requirements according to your nationality.

The LDIF applies to almost all foreign travelers entering Laos through international airports or land border checkpoints included in the rollout.
All foreign nationals and stateless travelers using a passport must register through LDIF before entering or departing Laos.

Exemptions include Lao citizens, foreigners with permanent residency in Laos, and Thai Border Pass holders crossing under local border arrangements.
For everyone else — tourists, business travelers, eVisa holders, and most short-stay visitors — the LDIF is required.
Each traveler needs an individual LDIF submission; parents or guardians can complete it on behalf of minors.

Travelers must complete the LDIF within 3 days (72 hours) before entering Laos.
The same timing applies when leaving Laos: a departure form should be filed within three days before exit, so that immigration can pre-register your departure data.

Submitting too early is not advised because the system requires accurate, up-to-date travel details.
Submitting too late can delay your entry, especially at busy checkpoints.
The best practice is to complete it 1–2 days before travel, save the QR code, and keep it accessible on your phone — or printed as backup in case your device runs out of battery.

The LDIF process is simple and takes a few minutes:

• Click the button "Complete your LDIF" and open the LDIF submission page (Arrival or Departure).

• Enter your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport.

• Provide your travel information: entry point, travel date, flight number (or land route), and your accommodation in Laos.

• Include visa details if required (eVisa number or visa-on-arrival status).

• Submit the form and save the QR code you receive.

• At the border, present your passport, visa, and LDIF QR code to immigration officers.

The same procedure applies when you leave Laos through a participating checkpoint.

According to official information, submitting the LDIF is part of the standard immigration process and no additional government fee is required.
It simply replaces the paper card used before 2025. Visa fees remain separate and depend on nationality and type of visa.

Yes. The LDIF is the digital replacement for the old paper arrival and departure cards.
Instead of filling out a card when you land, you complete the LDIF online before traveling and bring the QR code with you.
Some checkpoints may still provide help desks or kiosks for travelers who did not complete it online, but this will gradually be phased out.

• LDIF is mandatory for most foreign travelers entering Laos.

• It does not replace your visa – you still need valid visa documentation.

• Submit within 3 days of arrival or departure for the information to remain current.

• Keep the QR code accessible offline in case there is no internet at the checkpoint.

• Each trip requires a new LDIF, both for entry and departure.

• Families must submit one per traveler (parents can submit for children).

• The LDIF rollout is expanding – currently at major airports and the Friendship Bridge, soon nationwide.

The Laos Immigration Form (LDIF) is an essential pre-travel requirement introduced in 2025 to digitalize border procedures.
It is quick, free, and mandatory for nearly all foreign visitors.
Submitting it online before arrival helps speed up entry and ensures your information is pre-registered with the Lao authorities.
Always complete the LDIF within three days of your trip, keep your QR code ready, and make sure your visa status is valid.
By following these simple steps, your entry into Laos will be smooth and compliant with the country’s new digital immigration system.

Briefly mention that the LDIF automatically registers travelers upon submission, linking to /laos-arrival-register.

🔗 See details here: Laos Arrival Register – How It Works