🇱🇦 Laos · ⚖️ Legal & Migration
Department of Immigration of Lao PDR
The Lao immigration authority, distinct from the Foreign Affairs ministry — this is the office that actually processes visa extensions and registration.
About the Department of Immigration
Laos's Department of Immigration handles the practical side of foreigners' stays — visa extensions, registration and status changes — separately from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which handles broader consular and diplomatic matters.
Key Features
- Visa Extensions: The department processes requests to extend a stay beyond the initial visa validity.
- Foreigner Registration: Registration requirements for those staying longer term, including stateless persons.
- Multiple Service Points: Handles applications in Vientiane and at regional immigration offices.
- Direct Government Processing: Applications go straight to the issuing authority rather than through an agent.
How to Get Started
- Visit immigration.gov.la to identify the process for your visa type and length of stay.
- Note the extension window — apply before your current visa expires, not after.
- Gather your passport, current visa and any documents your specific case requires.
- Submit your application at the relevant immigration office listed on the site.
⚠️ Important Notice
Visa extension fees and processing times can vary by office and nationality — confirm current details directly rather than relying on outdated information from other travellers.
🪪 Local ID needed
Quick Facts
- Works with a foreign card
- No
- English interface
- No
- Needs a local phone number
- No
- Needs local ID or residency
- Yes
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Department of Immigration of Lao PDR work with a foreign bank card in Laos?
Not reliably — a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is Department of Immigration of Lao PDR available in English?
Not officially — the interface is mainly in the local language.
Do I need a local phone number to use Department of Immigration of Lao PDR?
No, an international phone number generally works for Department of Immigration of Lao PDR.
Do I need local ID or residency for Department of Immigration of Lao PDR?
Yes, Department of Immigration of Lao PDR requires local ID or residency status.