Closing a Company in Laos

The official dissolution route for individual enterprises, partnerships and companies, from first notice to removal from the register.

QUICK ANSWER

To close a company in Laos, notify the enterprise registrar within 10 working days of the cause for dissolution, complete liquidation, publish at least two public notices, and file the final documents, including tax clearance. The registrar then issues a dissolution notice and removes the company from the National Enterprise Database within 3 working days of receiving a complete file. Liability for an incorrect liquidation can continue for 5 years.

Steps for Partnerships and Companies

This is the sequence published by the National Enterprise Database. If you completed liquidation without first notifying the registrar, the final filing step still applies.

01Notify the registrar

Within 10 working days of the cause for dissolution, submit the original registration certificate and the decision document for your legal form.

02Status changes to "in dissolution"

The registrar updates the enterprise’s status in the registration system within 1 working day of the notice.

03Publish the first notice

Announce the dissolution and the appointment of the liquidator in a newspaper or on the National Enterprise Database website.

04Complete liquidation

Settle debts and distribute assets under the applicable laws, and obtain the tax documents.

05Publish the second notice

Announce the end of asset distribution and debt settlement.

06File and be removed

The registrar issues the dissolution notice, removes the name and publishes the removal within 3 working days of receiving complete documents.

Documents Required

Document	Individual enterprise	Partnership or company
Dissolution application on the official form	Required	Required
Original registration certificate (not needed for e-filing or if damaged)	Required	Required
Tax document (see below)	Required	Required
Evidence of 2 public notices	Not listed	Required
Decision of partners or shareholders (or owner, if outside manager)	If outside manager	Required*
Court order closing enforcement of the judgment (court-ordered dissolution)	If applicable	If applicable
Power of attorney and representative’s ID	If not attending	If not attending

*A sole company limited needs the shareholder’s decision where it hired an outside manager. A state enterprise needs a certificate under finance sector rules.

The tax document is one of the following: a certificate of permanent cessation of business, a certificate ending the taxpayer ID, or a debt write-off decision from the Minister of Finance. In practice, this is where closure timing depends most on your tax position, so review it early with our tax compliance guide.

Individual Enterprises

The route is simpler. After liquidation under the applicable rules, notify the registrar. The registrar then issues the notice and removes the name within 3 working days of receiving complete documents. The owner cannot trade under the enterprise’s name from the date of the notice.

After Dissolution

Legal personality ends for a partnership or company on the date of the registrar’s dissolution notice.
Liability continues: if liquidation was not accurate, the liquidator and relevant partners or shareholders are liable for resulting damage for 5 years from the notice. For an individual enterprise, the liquidator and owner are responsible, depending on the case.
The name is released: it is dissolved with the enterprise, and others may then use it in a registration or a change of details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to notify the registrar of a dissolution?

For partnerships and companies, 10 working days from the date of the cause for dissolution.

How many public notices are required?

At least two for partnerships and companies: one on starting dissolution and appointing the liquidator, and one on the end of asset distribution and debt settlement.

Do I need tax clearance to close a company in Laos?

Yes. The file must include a certificate of permanent cessation, a certificate ending the taxpayer ID, or a debt write-off decision from the Minister of Finance.

How long does the whole closure take?

The registrar’s final step is 3 working days from complete documents, but the overall duration depends mainly on liquidation and tax. NED does not publish a total timeframe.

Can I close a company online?

Yes. NED provides for electronic dissolution filings through the enterprise registration system. The original certificate is not required for an electronic filing.