●  Lao-owned · Vientiane · 15 years in the Lao market

LICENSE GUIDE

Payment Services License in Laos

Who needs it, the listed documents and fees, processing time and legal basis, from the Lao government’s license inventory.

QUICK ANSWER

Payment service providers in Laos are licensed by the Bank of the Lao PDR under Decision No. 288/BOL and the Law on Payment Systems. Conditions include legal entity status, stable finances, a feasibility study, qualified management and internal control systems. The record lists a 30-day review, 60-month validity and a fee of 0.1% of registered capital.

At a Glance

ISSUING AUTHORITY
Payment Systems Department
TYPE
License
LISTED REVIEW TIME
30 days
LISTED VALIDITY
5 years
LISTED FIRST-ISSUE FEE
2,000,000 kip
LISTED RENEWAL FEE
1,000,000 kip
SOURCE LAST UPDATED
4 Jan 2021

Who Needs This

Commercial banks, legal entities and financial institutions regulated by the Bank of the Lao PDR.

Conditions and thresholds

  • A legal entity with stable finances and sufficient capital.
  • An economic-technical feasibility study.
  • Qualified management with no prior court sanction for financial, banking or money laundering offenses.
  • Staff with finance, banking and technology skills.
  • Technology, data management and internal control systems, and a suitable location.
  • For providers handling customer payments: systems to protect user assets and a connection to the Lao payment system.

Documents to Prepare

The government record lists the following for a first application:

  • Application Form
  • Copy of Enterprise Registration Certificate
  • Other Related Documents

The authority may ask for more, and foreign documents may need translation or notarization.

Fees and Timing

Service (kip)Certificate (kip)Application (kip)Total (kip)
First issue2,000,000002,000,000
Renewal1,000,000001,000,000

The record describes a fee of 0.1% of registered capital under Decision No. 288/BOL, with exemptions for some regulated institutions.

Legal Basis

InstrumentNumberDate
Decision on Payment Services288/BOL17 Mar 2020
Law on Payment Systems (Amendment)45/NA20 Nov 2023

AQQOUNT Guidance

Work from the department’s checklist, which the record says you should request directly. The listed 2,000,000 kip figure sits alongside a percentage-based fee, so confirm your actual cost.

The source was last updated on 4 Jan 2021. Confirm the current position with the authority before filing.

See all Finance & Insurance licenses, or open the official record: License for Providing Payment Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues the Payment Services License in Laos?
The government inventory names the Payment Systems Department as the responsible authority.
How long does it take to get a Payment Services License in Laos?
The record lists 30 days. Actual timing depends on complete documents and any other approvals.
How much does a Payment Services License cost in Laos?
The record lists 2,000,000 kip for first issue. The record describes a fee of 0.1% of registered capital under Decision No. 288/BOL, with exemptions for some regulated institutions. Confirm the current amount with the authority.
How long is a Payment Services License valid?
The record lists a validity of 5 years.

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Need This License?

AQQOUNT can confirm current requirements with the authority, prepare your file and manage the application.