Laos Digital Immigration Form (LDIF)
Arrival Card Asia | ແບບຟອມດິຈິຕອລການເຂົ້າ-ອອກເມືອງ ສປປ ລາວ (LDIF)
August 12, 2026
✈️ Before You Go
Laos now requires all foreign visitors to complete the Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) before landing—there’s no paper alternative at most border crossings, and yes, that includes the popular Friendship Bridge from Thailand. The good news? It’s completely free, so ignore any third-party site asking for payment. The entire process takes about eight to ten minutes if you have a stable connection, a working passport photo, and your accommodation details handy. What surprises most first-timers is that you don’t just fill it out once—you must submit a separate form for each traveler, including kids, and the system logs you out after about 20 minutes of inactivity, so don’t multitask. Another gotcha: the form asks for your exact flight number and arrival port, so keep your booking confirmation open in another tab. Insider tip: complete the LDIF exactly 48 hours before you fly—not earlier, as the system may delete older entries, and not at the airport, where Wi-Fi is patchy. Save the QR code they email you as a screenshot, not just in your inbox. That little image is your golden ticket through immigration—having it ready cuts your arrival queue time from an hour to under five minutes. Do this right, and your first taste of Laos will be a cold Beerlao, not a paperwork headache.
⚠️ Important Notes
Fill Time Window
Submit online within 3 days before travel. QR code generated (valid 3 days) for immigration.
Cost
Free
0- • Only use the official site immigration.gov.la for LDIF; any website asking for payment is a scam — the system is completely free.
- • LDIF is NOT a visa; it only replaces the paper arrival/departure card. If you need a visa, get an e-visa or visa-on-arrival first, then fill out LDIF.
- • The QR code generated after submission is valid for only 3 days. Fill it out no earlier than 72 hours before your arrival, or it will expire.
- • When entering your passport number, distinguish between digit 0 and letter O, and digit 1 and letter I. The system is case-sensitive; match your passport's MRZ exactly.
- • Take a screenshot of your QR code (PNG or PDF) before reaching the airport or border, as connectivity is often poor in these areas — offline screenshots work better.
- • If your passport has multiple given names or a middle name, enter them exactly as they appear in the machine-readable zone (MRZ), without extra spaces or abbreviations.
- • For flight numbers or land border checkpoints, use official codes (e.g., VTE, LPQ, PKZ, Friendship Bridge as WB1), not city names or informal terms.
- • If you need to correct information after submission, do NOT create a new form from scratch — the system doesn't allow editing, but you can resubmit with the same passport number; the old QR code becomes invalid automatically.
- • Use the latest Chrome or Firefox browser with JavaScript enabled on your phone or computer; outdated Safari or WeChat's built-in browser may cause page loading or submission failures.
- • If you forget to complete LDIF and reach the border, don't panic — officials will let you fill it on-site (free), but it will delay you. Complete it at least 2 hours before arrival and screenshot it.
📋 Field Guide
| Field Name | Tips & Notes |
|---|---|
QR Code Validity Period QR Code Validity Period | The QR code is valid for 3 days from the date of submission. Submit your form on the day of arrival or one day before to avoid expiry. Save a screenshot or print a copy in case you have no internet at the border. |
Date of Birth Date of Birth | Use DD/MM/YYYY format, e.g., 15/08/1990. Must match your passport exactly. Avoid using the American MM/DD/YYYY format, as it may cause errors in processing. |
Passport Number Passport Number | Enter the alphanumeric code from the passport bio page (e.g., P1234567). Do not include spaces or hyphens. Double-check that it matches the number on your passport cover or bio page, not an old passport. |
Visa/Entry Purpose Visa/Entry Purpose | Select the purpose that matches your visit: tourism, business, visiting family, etc. If you have a visa on arrival or e-visa, choose the corresponding option. Wrong selection may cause issues at immigration. If unsure, choose 'Tourism' and have your hotel booking ready. |
Arrival Flight/Vehicle Number Arrival Flight/Vehicle Number | For flights, enter the flight number (e.g., QV441). For land crossings, enter the vehicle plate number or border checkpoint name. If arriving by boat on the Mekong, enter the boat name. Check your ticket for the exact code — do not use the booking reference (PNR). |
💬 Travel Experience Exchange
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- Share pitfalls or surprises during your entry process
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