Arrival Card Laos — LDIF in English
Fill out your Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) in English with our online form. Coming soon — prepare your trip to Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Pakse with peace of mind.
Welcome to Laos
Since September 1, 2025, the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) is mandatory for all foreign travelers entering Laos. Launched by the Department of Immigration via immigration.gov.la, it replaces the traditional paper arrival card. It must be submitted 2 to 3 days before arrival and generates a QR code to present at immigration. This formality is free and independent of the Lao visa or eVisa.
September 2025 modernisation
LDIF September 2025: Laos's quiet arrival modernisation
Less media-exposed than its Thai or Vietnamese neighbours, Laos launched its Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) on 1 September 2025. A fast deployment, largely unnoticed in English-speaking media.
Before LDIF, Laos used a paper form filled on board or on arrival, alongside visa-on-arrival for most nationalities. The system, functional but slow, created notable queues at Vientiane (VTE) and Luang Prabang (LPQ) in peak season.
LDIF in practice: immigration.gov.la portal, submission 2-3 days before arrival. Mandatory for all foreign travellers, including those getting their visa on arrival. The sequence becomes: LDIF filed ahead → arrival → VOA desk → immigration check → entry validated.
Progressive coverage: national rollout covers the three international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse). Land borders with Thailand, Vietnam, and China follow their own schedule, with full deployment planned for mid-2026.
Tip
If combining Laos with a neighbouring country (very common), file the LDIF in parallel to your general trip planning. The portal is in English with some Lao screenshots, which can confuse travellers.
Laos LDIF Information
What does the Laos LDIF consist of?
The procedure can be completed 2 to 3 days before your arrival in Laos. The online form requires personal data, passport and visa details, flight information, and accommodation address in Laos. You will then receive a QR code to present at immigration. Each traveler, including minors, must have their own form.
Which nationalities are concerned?
Since September 1, 2025, the LDIF is mandatory for all foreign nationals and stateless travelers using a passport. Full nationwide rollout is planned for 2026 with extension to all entry points.
Which entry points are concerned?
The LDIF is active at 4 main checkpoints in pilot phase: Vientiane Wattay Airport (VTE), Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ), Pakse Airport (PKZ), and Savannakhet Airport (ZVK). Extension to land borders is planned for 2026.
Arrival in Laos with the LDIF
Whether you arrive at Vientiane, Luang Prabang, or Pakse, here is the typical flow.
- 1
Show the LDIF QR at boarding
The airline verifies your LDIF before departure. Without it, boarding is refused.
- 2
Immigration check
Show passport, applicable visa, and LDIF QR. An entry stamp is affixed.
- 3
Baggage claim
Bags arrive quickly as Lao airports are modest in size.
- 4
Customs and exit
Show your customs declaration if required. Checks are random and friendly.
Required Information Table
| INFORMATION TO PROVIDE | PERSONAL DATA |
|---|---|
| PERSONAL DATA | Name, First Name, Date of Birth, Nationality, Passport Number, Passport Expiration Date |
| TRAVEL DETAILS | Arrival Date, Departure Date, Purpose of Travel, Country of Residence |
| FLIGHT INFORMATION | Airline Name, Flight Number, Port of Embarkation |
| ACCOMMODATION | Name and Address of Accommodation in Laos, City, Province, Contact Phone |
| ITINERARY | Countries visited in the last 14 days, Next destination after Laos |
Land borders
Land entry to Laos: when does the LDIF apply?
Laos is one of the few Southeast Asian countries as accessible by land as by air. Does LDIF cover border crossings?
Thai border (Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai / Vientiane): the busiest. LDIF is mandatory since November 2025 to cross this post. The check is quick: LDIF QR scanned on the Lao side after the bridge.
Vietnamese border (Lao Bao / Densavanh, Tay Trang): slower rollout. LDIF is expected but not yet systematically required at these posts in 2026. File it anyway as a precaution.
Chinese border (Boten / Mohan): the major post between Yunnan and Luang Namtha. LDIF applies. Note: the new Kunming-Vientiane railway via Boten generates significant flow — anticipate LDIF submission before boarding the train.
Documents for the Lao LDIF
The Lao Digital Immigration Form is filed on immigration.gov.la. Prepare these items.
- Valid passport
- Lao visa (e-Visa, pre-approved Visa-on-Arrival) or exemption proof
- Flight number or land entry point
- Planned arrival date and time in Laos
- Full address of your first accommodation
- Recent digital photo (on some versions of the form)
- Email address for confirmation
Validity of the LDIF
The Lao Digital Immigration Form is tied to a specific entry.
Duration
Valid for the declared entry
Entries
One LDIF per entry into Laos
Extension
Not applicable: new LDIF each trip
Exit
No separate exit form via LDIF
Places to visit in Laos
Laos
Luang Prabang, a UNESCO site, is the former royal capital. Discover the morning alms ceremony with monks, Wat Xieng Thong, Mount Phousi, and the magnificent Kuang Si waterfalls.
Vientiane, the peaceful capital nestled on the Mekong, hosts the golden That Luang, the Patuxai arch, and Wat Si Saket with its thousands of Buddhas.
Vang Vieng, between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, offers spectacular karst landscapes. Tubing on the Nam Song river, sunrise hot air balloon rides, and mysterious caves.
The Bolaven Plateau in the south is famous for its coffee plantations, waterfalls like Tad Fane, and preserved ethnic villages.
The 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don) on the Mekong, near the Cambodian border, offer a relaxed atmosphere with Irrawaddy dolphins, Khone Phapheng falls, and island villages.
Document Timeline
History and evolution of the document.
2018
Laos launches its eVisa system to facilitate entry for foreign travelers.
2018
Laos launches its eVisa system to facilitate entry for foreign travelers.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic leads to the implementation of digital health forms.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic leads to the implementation of digital health forms.
2024
The Lao government announces the LDIF project to modernize immigration controls.
2024
The Lao government announces the LDIF project to modernize immigration controls.
September 1, 2025
Official launch of the LDIF in pilot phase at 4 main airports of the country.
September 1, 2025
Official launch of the LDIF in pilot phase at 4 main airports of the country.
2026
Full nationwide rollout of LDIF, with extension to all land borders and entry points.
2026
Full nationwide rollout of LDIF, with extension to all land borders and entry points.
How It Works
Simple, fast, and stress-free.
Fill in the online form
Complete our secure form with your personal information and travel details
Receive your arrival card by email
We process your application and send your electronic arrival card directly to your inbox
Present your card upon arrival
Upon arrival, simply present your electronic card to immigration authorities
Frequently Asked Questions — Laos
What is the Laos LDIF?
The Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) is the mandatory digital immigration form set up by the Department of Immigration of Laos. It replaces the paper arrival card and generates a QR code to present to authorities.
Is the LDIF mandatory?
Yes, since September 1, 2025, the LDIF is mandatory for all foreign travelers entering Laos through the 4 pilot airports. Extension to all borders is planned for 2026.
How to fill out the LDIF online?
You can fill out your LDIF through ArrivalCards. The form asks for your personal details, passport and visa information, flight details, accommodation address, and a selfie with passport.
When should I fill out the LDIF?
The LDIF must be submitted 2 to 3 days before your arrival in Laos. We recommend completing it as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
Do I need a visa in addition to the LDIF?
Yes, the LDIF does not replace the visa. You will need to obtain a Lao visa (on arrival or eVisa) before or during your trip. The visa and LDIF are two separate formalities.
Which Lao entry points use the LDIF?
In pilot phase, the LDIF is active at the airports of Vientiane (VTE), Luang Prabang (LPQ), Pakse (PKZ), and Savannakhet (ZVK). Extension to land borders is planned for 2026.
How much does the LDIF cost?
The LDIF is free on the official portal immigration.gov.la. On ArrivalCards, the service fee is €29 incl. tax per arrival card issued, excluding any consular fees.
Is the form available in my language?
The official Lao portal is mainly available in Lao and English. ArrivalCards offers a translated and simplified form in 9 languages.
What documents are needed for the LDIF?
To complete the LDIF, you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months, your Lao visa or eVisa, a selfie with passport, flight details, and accommodation address in Laos.
Is the LDIF required for children?
Yes, every traveler, including children and babies, must have their own LDIF. Parents or legal guardians must complete the form on behalf of each minor child.