e-Registration in Laos

What the National Enterprise Database says about filing electronically, and how it differs from filing at the registrar’s office.

QUICK ANSWER

Laos allows enterprise registration applications to be filed in two ways: in person at the registrar’s office, or electronically through the enterprise registration system using a system user account. Electronic filing also covers changes to registration details and dissolution, and in those cases the original certificate does not need to be handed in. Confirm current portal requirements with the registrar before relying on it, especially for foreign applicants.

Office vs Electronic Filing

	At the registrar’s office	Electronic filing
New registration	Yes	Yes
Change of details	Yes, at the issuing registrar	Yes
Dissolution	Yes, at the issuing registrar	Yes
Access	In person or by authorized representative	System user account (“User Register”)
Original certificate for changes or closure	Required, unless damaged	Not required
Published timing	One-hour check, then issue within 3 working days of the slip	Set by a separate clause, not shown on the pages we reviewed

Which Registrar Handles Your Filing

Office	Handles enterprises with a head office in
Department of Enterprise Registration, MOIC	Vientiane Capital (all legal forms)
Provincial or Capital Industry and Commerce Department	That province or the Capital (all legal forms)
District or Municipal Industry and Commerce Office	That district (individual enterprises)
Provincial or Capital Special Economic Zone management committee	A special economic zone in that province (all legal forms)

Before You File Online

Choose the correct LSIC code and check whether the activity is controlled.
Prepare the documents for your legal form. A partnership or company needs the application, a founding agreement (except a sole company limited), and ID, family book or passport copies.
Check what scanned or foreign documents the system will accept, because the pages we reviewed do not specify this.
Ask the registrar about portal support: the department publishes +856 21 412 011 and +856 21 453 865.

What We Could Not Confirm

NED refers to the electronic procedure in a clause (Part I, Clause 4(c)) that does not appear on the public pages we reviewed. We therefore do not state electronic timelines or account-creation steps here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register a company online in Laos?

NED provides for electronic filing through the enterprise registration system, alongside filing in person. Confirm current access requirements with the registrar, especially for foreign applicants.

Do I need the original certificate to change details online?

No. NED says the original certificate is not required for an electronic change or dissolution filing.

Where can I search registered enterprises?

NED links a newer public search on the MOIC portal at ebrs.moic.gov.la, and keeps an older search and a map search. See our guide to verifying a company.

How long does e-Registration take?

NED says this is set by a separate clause, which is not on the public pages we reviewed. At the office, the standard is a one-hour check and issue within 3 working days of the slip.