Paper Laos immigration card: what to fill in at the border
| Card section | When to fill it in |
|---|---|
| ARRIVAL | When entering Laos |
| DEPARTURE | When leaving Laos |
| Passport details | Copy them from your passport in Latin letters |
| Checkpoint and transport | Ask your organiser for the exact name and number |
How to fill in the Laos arrival form (ARRIVAL)
Copy your name, date of birth and passport number exactly as they appear in your passport. Use Latin letters. The name, document number, dates, hotel and phone number in the illustration are fictional. Do not copy them.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Entry point | The Lao checkpoint where you will enter. Use the exact name from your itinerary or ask your organiser. |
| Family Name / Name | Your surname and given name in Latin letters, exactly as in your passport. |
| Date of birth | Your date of birth in the format printed on the form. |
| Place of birth | Your place of birth as shown in your passport. |
| Nationality | Your nationality in English, for example RUSSIAN for a Russian citizen. |
| Sex | Select Male or Female according to your document and the form. |
| Occupation | A short job title in English, such as MANAGER, ENGINEER or STUDENT. |
| Passport No. | Your passport number, copied exactly. |
| Visa No. | The Lao visa number, if you have a visa and its number appears on the document. Do not enter your passport number here. |
| Date of issue / Expiry date | The issue and expiry dates of your passport. |
| Place of issue | The issuing authority or place shown in your passport. |
| Purpose of Entry | The example marks Tourism for a visa run from Vietnam. Do not select Transit only because you will return to Vietnam the same day. |
| Traveling on | Your transport: Bus for a bus, Plane for a flight, or the matching option for another type of transport. |
| Vehicle or flight No. | The flight, bus or vehicle number, if known and relevant to your route. |
| From | The country you are arriving from. For a direct trip from Vietnam, enter VIETNAM. |
| Address in Laos | The real address where you will stay in Laos. If you are on a same-day visa run with no overnight stay, do not invent a hotel. Ask your organiser what to enter. |
| Telephone | A phone number with its country code that can reach you during the trip. |
| Date / Signature | The actual date of entry and your signature. |
| For official use only | Leave this blank. Border officials complete it. |
What to enter in the route fields
Entry point and Vehicle or flight No. refer to your actual route, so do not guess the checkpoint or vehicle number. If you are travelling on an organised transfer, ask for the checkpoint name and bus details before departure. Do not use your passport number as the Visa No. If you do not have a visa or the field does not apply to your entry type, ask an official whether to leave it blank.
How to fill in the Laos departure form (DEPARTURE)
On the paper DEPARTURE section, copy your passport details again. Departure point must match the checkpoint you will use to leave Laos. Under Last residence in Lao PDR before leaving, enter the actual place where you last stayed in Laos. If you are entering and leaving on the same day, do not make up a hotel address. Ask your organiser or a checkpoint official how to complete this field for a day trip.
- Family Name, Name, Date of birth, Nationality, Sex and Occupation: use the same details as in your passport and arrival section.
- Passport No., Date of issue, Date of expiry and Place of issue: copy them from your passport.
- Last residence in Lao PDR before leaving: enter the address where you actually stayed in Laos.
- Date and Signature: enter the date you complete the form and sign it.
- For official use only: leave it blank.
What to confirm before a visa run from Vietnam
- Ask your organiser for the exact checkpoint where you will enter Laos and the checkpoint you will use to return to Vietnam. The departure city alone is not enough.
- Before departure, get the bus number and the address to enter for a same-day trip from your organiser.
- Confirm which route details you should write and which the organiser will fill in.
- Confirm the vehicle number, dates and Laos address with your organiser before the trip.
- Do not treat the immigration card as a visa or as a guarantee of re-entry to Vietnam. Check Vietnam's entry rules separately.
Questions and answers
How do I fill in the Laos immigration card?
Use Latin letters. Copy your name, date of birth and passport number from your passport, then enter your actual route and transport details.
Where should I keep the DEPARTURE section?
Keep it after filling it in until you leave Laos and pass border control.
What should I write in Visa No. if I do not have a visa?
Do not put your passport number in the visa field. Before departure, ask your organiser whether to leave it blank or write N/A.
Do I need a departure card when leaving Laos?
Complete the DEPARTURE section before leaving Laos. Enter the checkpoint where you will leave the country and your departure date.
Does the Laos immigration card replace a visa?
Бумажная миграционная карта фиксирует сведения для пограничного контроля. Она не даёт права на въезд и не заменяет визу, если она нужна.