Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution in Laos: statutory documents, competent authority and legal basis
Who can apply
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ.
Competent authority: Enterprise registration authority of the Industry and Commerce sector (capital: Enterprise Registration Department; province: provincial Industry and Commerce Department; district: district Industry and Commerce Office, sole proprietorships only; special economic zone: zone management committee)
At a glance
Where to apply: Enterprise registration counter of the Industry and Commerce sector: Vientiane Capital → Enterprise Registration Department; provinces → provincial Industry and Commerce Department; sole proprietorships → district Industry and Commerce Office; inside a special economic zone → zone management committee. Online filing through the electronic enterprise registration system is also possible (2024 guidance items 1 and 4)
Steps:
- Choose the enterprise form and name (Lao and English, check for duplicates); for controlled-list activities get the investment licence from Planning and Investment first
- Complete form K1–K6 for the chosen form with attachments; file at the counter or online
- The registrar checks the file within 1 hour; if complete you are told to pay the fee and given a tracking slip
How long: Certificate: 3 working days after a complete application (Art. 17; 2024 guidance, same for counter and online); reissue 3 working days; dissolution removal 3 working days; seal 2 working days
Cost: Fees and service charges follow the Presidential fee ordinance, are paid before the certificate is issued and are posted at the service point (2024 guidance item 11); 2021 ordinance Art. 19: issue, amendment or reissue of an operating licence 50,000 kip; no registration-fee scale by capital was found, so the posted rate prevails
Statutory document list
Sole proprietorship
- Enterprise registration application (registry form K1–K6) (required)
- Declaration of intended business activities (required)
- ID card or household book copy of the owner / partners / shareholders / manager (required)
- Foreigners: copy of a valid passport (optional)
- Business premises document (sole proprietorship) (required)
- If not attending in person: power of attorney + ID/household book copy of the proxy (plus passport for foreigners) (optional)
- External manager: employment contract or appointment letter (optional)
General partnership
- Enterprise registration application (registry form K1–K6) (required)
- Declaration of intended business activities (required)
- ID card or household book copy of the owner / partners / shareholders / manager (required)
- Foreigners: copy of a valid passport (optional)
- Establishment contract (partnerships, limited and public companies; not required for a single-member company) (required)
- Corporate shareholder: copy of its registration certificate or founding documents, list of managers and shareholders (mandatory for foreign legal entities) (optional)
- If not attending in person: power of attorney + ID/household book copy of the proxy (plus passport for foreigners) (optional)
- External manager: employment contract or appointment letter (optional)
Limited partnership
- Enterprise registration application (registry form K1–K6) (required)
- Declaration of intended business activities (required)
- ID card or household book copy of the owner / partners / shareholders / manager (required)
- Foreigners: copy of a valid passport (optional)
- Establishment contract (partnerships, limited and public companies; not required for a single-member company) (required)
- Corporate shareholder: copy of its registration certificate or founding documents, list of managers and shareholders (mandatory for foreign legal entities) (optional)
- If not attending in person: power of attorney + ID/household book copy of the proxy (plus passport for foreigners) (optional)
- External manager: employment contract or appointment letter (optional)
Limited company
- Enterprise registration application (registry form K1–K6) (required)
- Declaration of intended business activities (required)
- ID card or household book copy of the owner / partners / shareholders / manager (required)
- Foreigners: copy of a valid passport (optional)
- Establishment contract (partnerships, limited and public companies; not required for a single-member company) (required)
- Articles of association (required)
- Minutes of the founding meeting (limited company, public company) (required)
- Corporate shareholder: copy of its registration certificate or founding documents, list of managers and shareholders (mandatory for foreign legal entities) (optional)
- If not attending in person: power of attorney + ID/household book copy of the proxy (plus passport for foreigners) (optional)
- External manager: employment contract or appointment letter (optional)
Single-member limited company
- Enterprise registration application (registry form K1–K6) (required)
- Declaration of intended business activities (required)
- ID card or household book copy of the owner / partners / shareholders / manager (required)
- Foreigners: copy of a valid passport (optional)
- Articles of association (required)
- Corporate shareholder: copy of its registration certificate or founding documents, list of managers and shareholders (mandatory for foreign legal entities) (optional)
- If not attending in person: power of attorney + ID/household book copy of the proxy (plus passport for foreigners) (optional)
- External manager: employment contract or appointment letter (optional)
Public company
- Enterprise registration application (registry form K1–K6) (required)
- Declaration of intended business activities (required)
- ID card or household book copy of the owner / partners / shareholders / manager (required)
- Foreigners: copy of a valid passport (optional)
- Establishment contract (partnerships, limited and public companies; not required for a single-member company) (required)
- Articles of association (required)
- Minutes of the founding meeting (limited company, public company) (required)
- Corporate shareholder: copy of its registration certificate or founding documents, list of managers and shareholders (mandatory for foreign legal entities) (optional)
- If not attending in person: power of attorney + ID/household book copy of the proxy (plus passport for foreigners) (optional)
- External manager: employment contract or appointment letter (optional)
Statutory requirements
- Enterprise registration is done once for the life of the business; the registrar reviews and issues the certificate within 3 working days of a complete application (Enterprise Law Arts. 15 and 17; 2024 Ministry guidance item 3: documents checked within 1 hour, then a fee notice and a tracking slip).
- The registration certificate is not an operating licence: after registration and before trading, activities on the controlled list need an investment or operating licence from the sector authority first; activities outside the list may start directly (Art. 19; 2024 guidance).
- When all managers, directors, owners and shareholders are Lao: registration and change files in 1 original + 1 copy; dissolution files 1 original (2024 guidance item 4).
- With a foreign participant: 1 original + 2 copies; the passport must be valid; foreign-language attachments must be translated into Lao and certified by a licensed translation firm or the court registry; forms are completed in Lao, foreign names and addresses may use Latin letters (2024 guidance item 4).
- The name must exist in Lao and English (English optional for a sole proprietorship), must not duplicate a registered name, use the name of a state, international organisation or state body, or mix Lao and English; hang the enterprise sign within 60 days of registration (at least 30×60 cm, private enterprises yellow ground with red letters, showing name, registration number and phone); a seal is optional, obtained from the police with a copy of the certificate in 2 working days (Arts. 22 and 29; 2024 guidance).
- For controlled-list activities the registrar issues a guidance letter: obtain the investment licence from the Planning and Investment sector first, then come back to register the enterprise (2019 agreement item 7).
- A public company must also obtain permission from the Securities Commission Office to raise funds through the capital market (2024 guidance).
- A change must be declared within 30 days of the decision; previous obligations, including tax, continue; a related investment or operating licence must be amended separately with its issuing authority (Art. 24; 2024 guidance chapter 8).
- A replacement certificate is issued by the original authority within 3 working days, identical in content including the original issue date (2024 guidance).
- Dissolution must be declared within 10 working days of the triggering event and liquidation completed by law; the registrar then issues the dissolution notice and removes the name from the national database within 3 working days; partnerships and companies lose legal personality from the notice, and false liquidation carries liability for 5 years (2024 guidance).
Common issues
- Registration certificate ≠ operating licence: the certificate alone does not allow trading; controlled-list activities still need the sector licence (Art. 19)
- Check the controlled list first: if listed, the order is investment licence (Planning and Investment) → enterprise registration (2019 agreement item 7)
Legal basis (Lao Official Gazette texts)
Excerpt: Article 15 (Amended) Enterprise registration Enterprise registration is the approval of the legitimate establishment of an enterprise, where enterprise registration is done once for the whole business duration of an ente …
Excerpt: Article 17 (Amended) Consideration of application for enterprise registration The registrar shall consider issuing the enterprise registration certificate within three working days of the date of receiving full applicati …
Excerpt: Article 18 (New) Content of enterprise registration certificate The enterprise registration certificate has the following content: 1. Enterprise name; 2. Code of enterprise, Taxpayer Identity Number (TIN); 3. …
Excerpt: Article 19 (New) Business activities after enterprise registration Enterprises registered before doing business shall comply with each case as follows: 1. …
Excerpt: Article 22 (Amended) Enterprise’s seal An enterprise is able to apply for its seal-making to the public security sector by submitting a copy of its enterprise registration certificate in accordance with the Law. …
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution in Laos?
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ. Competent authority: Enterprise registration authority of the Industry and Commerce sector (capital: Enterprise Registration Department; province: provincial Industry and Commerce Department; district: district Industry and Commerce Office, sole proprietorships only; special economic zone: zone management committee).
What documents are required for a Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution in Laos?
7 statutory items: Enterprise registration application (registry form K1–K6); Declaration of intended business activities; ID card or household book copy of the owner / partners / shareholders / manager; Business premises document (sole proprietorship); Establishment contract (partnerships, limited and public companies; not required for a single-member company); Articles of association; Minutes of the founding meeting (limited company, public company). Competent authority: Enterprise registration authority of the Industry and Commerce sector (capital: Enterprise Registration Department; province: provincial Industry and Commerce Department; district: district Industry and Commerce Office, sole proprietorships only; special economic zone: zone management committee).
What is the legal basis for a Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution in Laos?
Based on ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 15; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 17; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 18; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 19; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 22; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 24; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 29; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 31; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 43; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 97; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 188; ENTERPRISE LAW (Amended) Article Article 172; Guidelines for Implementation of Enterprise Registration Work Article ; Agreement on Enterprise Registration (No. 0023/MOIC.DBR) Article 9; Agreement on Enterprise Registration (No. 0023/MOIC.DBR) Article 10; Agreement on Enterprise Registration (No. 0023/MOIC.DBR) Article 11; Agreement on Enterprise Registration (No. 0023/MOIC.DBR) Article 7; the Investment Promotion Law Article ມາດຕາ 32; the Investment Promotion Law Article ມາດຕາ 35; the Investment Promotion Law Article ມາດຕາ 39; Decree of the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Fees and Service Charges (No. 002/PP) Article 19. The full texts are available in the LaoPaniti law library, sourced from the Lao Official Gazette.
Are there time limits or hard requirements for a Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution in Laos?
Enterprise registration is done once for the life of the business; the registrar reviews and issues the certificate within 3 working days of a complete application (Enterprise Law Arts. 15 and 17; 2024 Ministry guidance item 3: documents checked within 1 hour, then a fee notice and a tracking slip). The registration certificate is not an operating licence: after registration and before trading, activities on the controlled list need an investment or operating licence from the sector authority first; activities outside the list may start directly (Art. 19; 2024 guidance). When all managers, directors, owners and shareholders are Lao: registration and change files in 1 original + 1 copy; dissolution files 1 original (2024 guidance item 4). With a foreign participant: 1 original + 2 copies; the passport must be valid; foreign-language attachments must be translated into Lao and certified by a licensed translation firm or the court registry; forms are completed in Lao, foreign names and addresses may use Latin letters (2024 guidance item 4). The name must exist in Lao and English (English optional for a sole proprietorship), must not duplicate a registered name, use the name of a state, international organisation or state body, or mix Lao and English; hang the enterprise sign within 60 days of registration (at least 30×60 cm, private enterprises yellow ground with red letters, showing name, registration number and phone); a seal is optional, obtained from the police with a copy of the certificate in 2 working days (Arts. 22 and 29; 2024 guidance). For controlled-list activities the registrar issues a guidance letter: obtain the investment licence from the Planning and Investment sector first, then come back to register the enterprise (2019 agreement item 7). A public company must also obtain permission from the Securities Commission Office to raise funds through the capital market (2024 guidance). A change must be declared within 30 days of the decision; previous obligations, including tax, continue; a related investment or operating licence must be amended separately with its issuing authority (Art. 24; 2024 guidance chapter 8). A replacement certificate is issued by the original authority within 3 working days, identical in content including the original issue date (2024 guidance). Dissolution must be declared within 10 working days of the triggering event and liquidation completed by law; the registrar then issues the dissolution notice and removes the name from the national database within 3 working days; partnerships and companies lose legal personality from the notice, and false liquidation carries liability for 5 years (2024 guidance).
How much does a Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution cost in Laos and how long does it take?
Cost: Fees and service charges follow the Presidential fee ordinance, are paid before the certificate is issued and are posted at the service point (2024 guidance item 11); 2021 ordinance Art. 19: issue, amendment or reissue of an operating licence 50,000 kip; no registration-fee scale by capital was found, so the posted rate prevails. How long: Certificate: 3 working days after a complete application (Art. 17; 2024 guidance, same for counter and online); reissue 3 working days; dissolution removal 3 working days; seal 2 working days.
Can LaoPaniti obtain the Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution for me?
LaoPaniti organises the document list, offers online form filling, document upload and pre-check hand-off by staff. It is not a government filing, does not represent acceptance or approval by any authority, and promises neither results nor expedited handling. Formal processing follows the current requirements of the Enterprise registration authority of the Industry and Commerce sector (capital: Enterprise Registration Department; province: provincial Industry and Commerce Department; district: district Industry and Commerce Office, sole proprietorships only; special economic zone: zone management committee).
Organise documents online and submit for pre-check →
Other matters
Taxpayer identification number (TIN) · tax registration · Land title (land use certificate): registration / transfer / inheritance / mortgage / reissue · Business operating licence (sector licence) · Driving licence (civil vehicle) · Investment licence · Construction (building) permit: new build / extension / change of use / repair / rebuild / demolition · Environmental certificate · Environmental impact assessment of an investment project (IEE / detailed ESIA) · Social security registration (employer registering the unit and its workers / individual voluntary enrolment) · Certificate of Origin for exports (preferential origin: Confirmation of Product Originality + preferential Certificate of Origin / exporter self-certification) · Employment registration and foreign-worker permit (quota · entry approval · work permit · renewal) · Import-export licence and trader registration certificate · Mineral licences: field data collection, prospecting, exploration, feasibility study and mining · Tourism business licence: accommodation, restaurants, entertainment, guiding, travel agency and other categories · Electricity business licence: general electricity services, specific power generation, and transmission line concessions · Food registration certificate for industrial plants, family-scale workshops and imported food · Road transport business licence: passenger transport, freight, terminals, vehicle hire and logistics · Licence for a pharmaceutical or medical product business, and product registration · Sign permits: use, installation and the sign business licence · Insurance business licences: insurer, reinsurer, broker and agent · Printing and publishing: the printing permit and the licences for publishers, print shops and distributors · Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite · Postal service business licence: international, nationwide, provincial and postal financial or product services · Setting up and operating a wood-processing factory: sawmills, processing plants and furniture factories · Divorce registration and the divorce certificate, by agreement or by court judgment · Inheritance: opening a will, certifying estate documents and registering the transfer of property · Tourist visa T-B3: where to apply, how it may be extended, and when it is the wrong visa · Health checks and health certificates: who must be examined, and how often · Household book reissue / update · Birth certificate · Single / marital status certificate · Marriage registration · No-criminal-record certificate · Residence / address certificate · Kinship certificate · Land / house basic documents · Vehicle sale / transfer documents · Stay permit / residence permit card · Work visa / work permit pre-check