Laos is set to modernize its national identification system with the nationwide launch of digital ID cards in October 2025, marking the country’s shift from paper-based documents to a secure, chip-enabled platform. The initiative builds on a July 2024 memorandum of understanding with Vietnam and was reinforced by a July 2025 directive from Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone mandating integration of citizen databases and identity systems under Laos’s digital governance framework.
The new cards will feature embedded chips, biometric data, QR codes, and barcodes to improve security and authentication. According to Kaenchanh Phommachack, Director of the Department of Census Management and Grassroot Development, “The new digital ID card will serve as official proof of identity from birth to death, replacing the old paper-based system.” He added that the cards are designed to enhance governance, support e-government services, and prepare Laos for a digital economy. They will also function as valid travel documents for both domestic and international use.
The digital ID program follows the official launch ceremony on July 30, 2025, which was developed with support from Vietnam under the 2024 bilateral agreement. The rollout coincides with wider regional adoption of digital identification, including Cambodia’s launch of biometric ID cards with QR codes earlier in the year.
Cards will be issued in three age-based categories: from birth to age 6, from 6 to 15, and from 15 onward. The first card is valid for 10 years, the second for 20 years, and the third also for 20 years. Citizens aged 60 and above will receive lifetime cards with no expiration date.
Residents can apply for their digital ID cards at central, provincial, capital, and district offices. Pre-registration is available via the LaelD mobile application. The service fee is set at 30,000 LAK (approximately USD 1.60) per card, with card production costs not yet specified.
The July 2025 government order provides the legal framework for integrating the digital ID into Laos’s public administration, aiming to unify data systems and improve service delivery. Officials expect the program to strengthen identity verification, reduce fraud, and expand access to public and private sector services nationwide.
Sources: Laotian Times, Asia News Network, KPL Lao News Agency, VietnamPlus, Cambodianess
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
