Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) in Laos: statutory documents, competent authority and legal basis

Who can apply

Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ.

Competent authority: Register the enterprise with industry & commerce first (Art.31), then apply to the BOL Payment Systems Management Department (Art.12); licensing and supervision sit with the BOL.

At a glance

Where to apply: Register the enterprise with industry & commerce first (Art.31), then apply to the BOL Payment Systems Management Department (Art.12); licensing and supervision sit with the BOL.

Steps:

Register the enterprise first (Art.31); banks/MFIs are exempt, retail payment operators must apply
Prepare the Art.14 dossier: #245 + registration + feasibility + business plan + internal rules/manuals + source-of-funds + 6-month statements + management CVs (≥1 resident Lao) + continuity plan; translate foreign docs
File at the Payment Systems Dept (Art.12); approval or written refusal within 30 days (Art.15 / IP Law Art.33), more docs may be requested

The full list has 5 items; work through them in the guided form — Open the guided form

How long: Approval within 30 days of complete documents (Art.15 / IP Law Art.33); 5-year term, renew 45 days before expiry (Art.16); per BOL notice.

Cost: Licence and related fees per Art.19 and the current BOL schedule; the tiered capital amounts (Art.18) follow BOL posting and are not on record, so not estimated.

Statutory document list

New provider licence (#245)

Application on the Payment Systems Dept form (#245; Art.14.1) (required)
Enterprise registration copy (Art.31 requires prior registration; Art.14.2) (required)
Economic-technical feasibility study (Art.14.6 / IP §32) (required)
Business plan for the payment services and channels (Art.14.7) (required)
Internal rules, org chart and manuals for payments/risk/accounting/audit/dispute (Arts.14.8, 14.15) (required)
Proof of source of funds + last 6 months' bank statements (bank-certified) + written consent for BOL to verify (Arts.14.9, 14.10) (required)
Last year's credit-information report (Art.14.11) (optional)
CVs, qualifications and experience of applicant and management (Art.13: ≥1 resident Lao manager, no bad debt; Art.14.12) (required)
Business-impact analysis and continuity plan (Art.14.16) (optional)
Power of attorney (if using an agent, Art.14.17) (optional)
Foreign shareholder/manager passport or similar copy, certified by the home country's competent authority (Art.14.14); if in a foreign language, attach a Lao translation (per the Payment Systems Department) (optional)

Renewal (5-year term, 45 days before expiry, Art.16)

Application on the Payment Systems Dept form (#245; Art.14.1) (required)
Enterprise registration copy (Art.31 requires prior registration; Art.14.2) (required)
Original licence (attach for renewal / return for reissue) (Arts.16, 17) (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent, Art.14.17) (optional)
Foreign shareholder/manager passport or similar copy, certified by the home country's competent authority (Art.14.14); if in a foreign language, attach a Lao translation (per the Payment Systems Department) (optional)

Add a service type (Arts.20-28)

Application on the Payment Systems Dept form (#245; Art.14.1) (required)
Enterprise registration copy (Art.31 requires prior registration; Art.14.2) (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent, Art.14.17) (optional)
Foreign shareholder/manager passport or similar copy, certified by the home country's competent authority (Art.14.14); if in a foreign language, attach a Lao translation (per the Payment Systems Department) (optional)

Cross-border payment (Art.35)

Application on the Payment Systems Dept form (#245; Art.14.1) (required)
Enterprise registration copy (Art.31 requires prior registration; Art.14.2) (required)
Additional cross-border documents (Art.36); cross-border capital per Art.39, amount per BOL posting (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent, Art.14.17) (optional)
Foreign shareholder/manager passport or similar copy, certified by the home country's competent authority (Art.14.14); if in a foreign language, attach a Lao translation (per the Payment Systems Department) (optional)

Reissue (Art.17)

Application on the Payment Systems Dept form (#245; Art.14.1) (required)
Enterprise registration copy (Art.31 requires prior registration; Art.14.2) (required)
Original licence (attach for renewal / return for reissue) (Arts.16, 17) (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent, Art.14.17) (optional)
Foreign shareholder/manager passport or similar copy, certified by the home country's competent authority (Art.14.14); if in a foreign language, attach a Lao translation (per the Payment Systems Department) (optional)

Statutory requirements

Two laws + banks exempt: Two laws: the Payment Systems Law #151 (primary) and the Payment & Clearing Systems Agreement #1517 (implementing rules). Art.31: a legal entity must first register the enterprise with industry & commerce, then apply to the Bank of the Lao PDR. Note: commercial banks and deposit/non-deposit microfinance institutions may be providers WITHOUT this licence; retail payment-system operators must apply.
Authority, 30-day approval: File with the BOL Payment Systems Management Department (Art.12); it approves and issues, or refuses in writing with reasons, within 30 days of complete, correct documents (Art.15 / IP Law Art.33); it may request more documents during review. Before issuance you must also meet added conditions: capital fully paid, staff complete, a modern secure IT system able to connect to BOL.
Data must stay in Laos: Three localisation conditions Chinese investors must note: (1) transaction data must be stored inside Laos and the system must connect to BOL (Art.15.3); (2) Lao-national shareholders must hold at least 10% (Art.13.2); (3) at least one manager must be a Lao national resident in Laos (Art.13.3). Shareholders and managers must have no bad debt in the past year (Art.13.4).
Capital tiered by service: Registered capital is tiered by service type (Art.18): payment cards ≥20 billion kip; e-money issuance ≥10 billion; payee/bill-collection/e-transfer ≥1 billion each. If offering several types, pay the highest tier once (no stacking). Capital must be cash, held at a commercial bank in Laos, its use governed by the Payment Systems Department (Art.18); paid in full before issuance (Art.15.1). Cross-border has its own tiers (Art.39): international-card issuance ≥20 billion, accepting foreign instruments / cross-border e-transfer ≥1 billion each.
5-year term, renew 45 days ahead: The licence runs 5 years and is renewable (Art.16); apply to renew within 45 days before expiry; renewal requires keeping BOL financial-soundness ratios, two years of sound results without loss, and clearing inspection findings at least 90 days before expiry. The licence is used only within its scope and is non-transferable (IP Law Art.34).
Add-service & cross-border: To add a payment-service type after licensing, use the add-service procedure (Arts.20-28), in either a permit-required or notification form (Art.21). Cross-border payment needs a separate licence (Arts.35-40): documents per Art.36, timeline Art.37, added conditions Art.38, cross-border capital Art.39. Remittance business relies on Arts.29-34 (do not cite the superseded old remittance protocol).

Common issues

Data localisation + Lao shareholding are hard conditions (Arts.13/15): plan equity and IT architecture early
Pay the Art.18 tier in full, in cash held in a Lao bank: cards 20bn / e-money 10bn / others 1bn kip; card & international-card tiers are highest (20bn), plan equity early

The full list has 4 items; work through them in the guided form — Open the guided form

Legal basis (Lao Official Gazette texts)

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 29 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Article 29 (Amended) Payment Service Provider Payment Service Provider is financial institution authorized by the Bank of the Lao PDR to provide payment services by providing one or several payment instruments as describ …

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 31 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Article 31(Amended) Application for License Legal entity wishing to operate payment business shall firstly submit application for enterprise registration to the industry and commerce sector. …

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 32 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Article 32 (Amended) Conditions of Application for License Conditions of the application for payment business operation are as below: 1. Conditions for Retail Payment System Operator are: 1.1 Being a legal entity; 1. …

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 33 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Article 33 (Amended) Consideration of Application The Bank of the Lao PDR shall issue payment business license within Thirty days starting from the date of receiving the application together with a complete set of suppor …

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 34 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Article 34 (Amended) Use of Payment Business License Payment business operator shall use payment business license in compliance with the scope of the license, and has no rights to assign, transfer or hand-over the licens …

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 35 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 42 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 47 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Law on Payment System ( Amended ) · Article 49 (2023-11-20) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 12 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 13 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 14 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 15 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 16 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 17 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 18 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 35 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems · Article 39 (2025-06-19) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for a Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) in Laos?

Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ. Competent authority: Register the enterprise with industry & commerce first (Art.31), then apply to the BOL Payment Systems Management Department (Art.12); licensing and supervision sit with the BOL..

What documents are required for a Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) in Laos?

9 statutory items: Application on the Payment Systems Dept form (#245; Art.14.1); Enterprise registration copy (Art.31 requires prior registration; Art.14.2); Economic-technical feasibility study (Art.14.6 / IP §32); Business plan for the payment services and channels (Art.14.7); Internal rules, org chart and manuals for payments/risk/accounting/audit/dispute (Arts.14.8, 14.15); Proof of source of funds + last 6 months' bank statements (bank-certified) + written consent for BOL to verify (Arts.14.9, 14.10); CVs, qualifications and experience of applicant and management (Art.13: ≥1 resident Lao manager, no bad debt; Art.14.12); Original licence (attach for renewal / return for reissue) (Arts.16, 17); Additional cross-border documents (Art.36); cross-border capital per Art.39, amount per BOL posting. Competent authority: Register the enterprise with industry & commerce first (Art.31), then apply to the BOL Payment Systems Management Department (Art.12); licensing and supervision sit with the BOL..

What is the legal basis for a Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) in Laos?

Based on Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 29; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 31; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 32; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 33; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 34; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 35; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 42; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 47; Law on Payment System ( Amended ) Article 49; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 12; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 13; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 14; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 15; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 16; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 17; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 18; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 35; Agreement on Payment and Settlement Systems Article 39. 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 Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) in Laos?

Two laws + banks exempt: Two laws: the Payment Systems Law #151 (primary) and the Payment & Clearing Systems Agreement #1517 (implementing rules). Art.31: a legal entity must first register the enterprise with industry & commerce, then apply to the Bank of the Lao PDR. Note: commercial banks and deposit/non-deposit microfinance institutions may be providers WITHOUT this licence; retail payment-system operators must apply. Authority, 30-day approval: File with the BOL Payment Systems Management Department (Art.12); it approves and issues, or refuses in writing with reasons, within 30 days of complete, correct documents (Art.15 / IP Law Art.33); it may request more documents during review. Before issuance you must also meet added conditions: capital fully paid, staff complete, a modern secure IT system able to connect to BOL. Data must stay in Laos: Three localisation conditions Chinese investors must note: (1) transaction data must be stored inside Laos and the system must connect to BOL (Art.15.3); (2) Lao-national shareholders must hold at least 10% (Art.13.2); (3) at least one manager must be a Lao national resident in Laos (Art.13.3). Shareholders and managers must have no bad debt in the past year (Art.13.4). Capital tiered by service: Registered capital is tiered by service type (Art.18): payment cards ≥20 billion kip; e-money issuance ≥10 billion; payee/bill-collection/e-transfer ≥1 billion each. If offering several types, pay the highest tier once (no stacking). Capital must be cash, held at a commercial bank in Laos, its use governed by the Payment Systems Department (Art.18); paid in full before issuance (Art.15.1). Cross-border has its own tiers (Art.39): international-card issuance ≥20 billion, accepting foreign instruments / cross-border e-transfer ≥1 billion each. 5-year term, renew 45 days ahead: The licence runs 5 years and is renewable (Art.16); apply to renew within 45 days before expiry; renewal requires keeping BOL financial-soundness ratios, two years of sound results without loss, and clearing inspection findings at least 90 days before expiry. The licence is used only within its scope and is non-transferable (IP Law Art.34). Add-service & cross-border: To add a payment-service type after licensing, use the add-service procedure (Arts.20-28), in either a permit-required or notification form (Art.21). Cross-border payment needs a separate licence (Arts.35-40): documents per Art.36, timeline Art.37, added conditions Art.38, cross-border capital Art.39. Remittance business relies on Arts.29-34 (do not cite the superseded old remittance protocol).

How much does a Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) cost in Laos and how long does it take?

Cost: Licence and related fees per Art.19 and the current BOL schedule; the tiered capital amounts (Art.18) follow BOL posting and are not on record, so not estimated.. How long: Approval within 30 days of complete documents (Art.15 / IP Law Art.33); 5-year term, renew 45 days before expiry (Art.16); per BOL notice..

Can LaoPaniti obtain the Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) 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 Register the enterprise with industry & commerce first (Art.31), then apply to the BOL Payment Systems Management Department (Art.12); licensing and supervision sit with the BOL..

Organise documents online and submit for pre-check →

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