Foreign company representative office (set up / renew / amend / close) in Laos: statutory documents, competent authority and legal basis

Who can apply

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

Competent authority: File at the one-stop investment service office of the MPI Investment Promotion Department (Art.6); the Director-General signs the licence (Art.10); supervision also sits with the department (Arts.19, 20).

At a glance

Where to apply: File at the one-stop investment service office of the MPI Investment Promotion Department (Art.6); the Director-General signs the licence (Art.10); supervision also sits with the department (Arts.19, 20).

Steps:

Prepare the seven Art.7 documents + Lao translations
File at the one-stop office (Art.6); meet Art.8 conditions (capital ≥ US$50,000)
Review: 3 + 7 + 5 working days (Art.9); Director-General signs (Art.10)

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

How long: Review 3 + 7 + 5 working days (Art.9); Type-1 term 1 year, renewable three times, then phased ≤3-year renewals (Art.13); per MPI notice.

Cost: Fees per the MPI current schedule (this agreement lists no application-fee amount; follow the posted rate); note the registered-capital floor of US$50,000 (Art.8.6, a capital threshold, not a fee); breach fines are in Art.22.

Statutory document list

Set up (Form RO #111/#112)

Application to set up (MPI Investment Promotion Dept Form RO #111/#112) (Art.7.1) (required)
Draft charter of the representative office (Art.7.2) (required)
Parent company report or resolution to set up in Laos (Art.7.3) (required)
Parent's appointment of the chief representative, with the appointee's passport copy and CV (Art.7.4) (required)
Copy of the parent's legal-entity certificate (Art.7.5; Art.8.1: established ≥2 years or stable) (required)
Parent's business history and financial-status documents (Art.7.6) (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
Lao translation of foreign-language documents (parent resolution/status/financials/appointment) (optional)

Renew (30 days before expiry)

Renewal application (Art.14.1; Art.15: at least 30 days before expiry) (required)
Parent's report or resolution on renewal (Art.14.2) (required)
Original RO licence (attach for renewal; on termination return to the Investment Promotion Dept within 10 working days) (Arts.14.3, 16) (required)
Tax-registration copy and proof of obligations met, BOL proof of capital remittance, annual activity report and future plan (Arts.14.4-14.6) (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
Lao translation of foreign-language documents (parent resolution/status/financials/appointment) (optional)

Amend recordal (within 30 days)

Parent's change resolution/notice (org, capital, charter or scope; report to the Investment Promotion Dept within 30 days) (Art.12.7) (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
Lao translation of foreign-language documents (parent resolution/status/financials/appointment) (optional)

Terminate / close

Original RO licence (attach for renewal; on termination return to the Investment Promotion Dept within 10 working days) (Arts.14.3, 16) (required)
Notice to terminate/close the RO (voluntary, or parent now registered as a Lao legal entity, Art.16) (required)
Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
Lao translation of foreign-language documents (parent resolution/status/financials/appointment) (optional)

Statutory requirements

An RO may not earn revenue: This is the line between an RO and a company (Art.18): an RO may NOT run revenue- or profit-making business, may NOT promote or sell goods/services in any form, and may NOT issue receipts or payment demands. It is only the parent's liaison/coordination/research window. To actually trade, sign revenue contracts or invoice, you must register a company (business licence / investment licence). Breach is fined under Art.22: US$5,000 for revenue activity, doubled on a second breach, tripled plus unconditional closure on a third, and the parent is barred from future ROs.
Capital ≥ US$50,000: The RO's registered capital must be at least US$50,000 (Art.8.6) and be paid in full within 60 working days of the licence date (Art.12.1); the Bank of the Lao PDR then issues a capital-remittance certificate, needed at renewal (Art.14.5).
Who decides, how long: File at the one-stop investment service office of the MPI Investment Promotion Department (Art.6). Within 3 working days it seeks the relevant departments' opinions (due in 7 working days); the department then issues the licence or a refusal within 5 working days of those opinions (Art.9); the Director-General signs the licence (Art.10).
Term & renewal: A Type-1 RO runs 1 year, renewable three times (1 year each); after that, on the parent's application the central Investment Promotion & Management Committee may grant phased renewals (each up to 3 years, year by year) (Art.13). A Type-2 RO renews to match the parent's government MOU/contract, 1 year at a time. File renewal at least 30 days before expiry (Art.15).
Duties within 60 working days: After the licence, comply with Art.12: pay capital in full within 60 working days; have an office and name sign within 60 days; publish an opening notice; open a Lao bank account for the RO; report activity to the Investment Promotion Dept every 6 and 12 months; and report any change of org/capital/charter/scope within 30 days of the parent's notice (Art.12.7).
Close once the parent lands: The RO is transitional (Arts.13, 16): once the parent obtains an investment licence and registers as a Lao legal entity, the RO must stop and close. It also ends on expiry, voluntary closure or licence revocation. On termination, return the original licence to the Investment Promotion Dept within 10 working days (Art.16). Resident foreign staff are capped at two, with hiring priority to Lao citizens (Art.11).

Common issues

Do not use an RO as a company (Art.18): no revenue contracts, invoicing or selling — to trade, register a company. Penalty: fines from US$5,000, three closures, and a permanent ban on the parent setting up an RO
Resident foreign staff ≤ 2, priority to Lao (Art.11); capital ≥ US$50,000 paid within 60 working days (Arts.8.6, 12.1)

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

Legal basis (Lao Official Gazette texts)

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 2 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Foreign Legal Entity Representative Office. A representative office is a coordinating agency established to conduct investment channel surveys, research trade and service information, provide consultation, coordinate for …

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 5 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Types of Representative Offices. Representative offices established and operating in the Lao People's Democratic Republic are divided into the following two types: — Type One: Representative offices that perform function …

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 6 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Application for Establishment of a Representative Office. A foreign legal entity intending to establish its representative office in the Lao People's Democratic Republic shall submit an application to the One-Stop Invest …

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 7 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Composition of Documents for Application to Establish a Representative Office. An application to establish a representative office shall include the following documents: 1. …

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 8 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Excerpt: Conditions for Obtaining a Permit to Establish a Representative Office. A foreign legal entity intending to establish a representative office in the Lao People's Democratic Republic must meet the following conditions: 1. …

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 9 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 10 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 11 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 12 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 13 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 15 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 16 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 18 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic · Article 22 (2018-07-30) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

the Investment Promotion Law · Article (2024-06-28) — Read the law · Lao Official Gazette

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for a Foreign company representative office (set up / renew / amend / close) in Laos?

Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ. Competent authority: File at the one-stop investment service office of the MPI Investment Promotion Department (Art.6); the Director-General signs the licence (Art.10); supervision also sits with the department (Arts.19, 20)..

What documents are required for a Foreign company representative office (set up / renew / amend / close) in Laos?

12 statutory items: Application to set up (MPI Investment Promotion Dept Form RO #111/#112) (Art.7.1); Draft charter of the representative office (Art.7.2); Parent company report or resolution to set up in Laos (Art.7.3); Parent's appointment of the chief representative, with the appointee's passport copy and CV (Art.7.4); Copy of the parent's legal-entity certificate (Art.7.5; Art.8.1: established ≥2 years or stable); Parent's business history and financial-status documents (Art.7.6); Renewal application (Art.14.1; Art.15: at least 30 days before expiry); Parent's report or resolution on renewal (Art.14.2); Original RO licence (attach for renewal; on termination return to the Investment Promotion Dept within 10 working days) (Arts.14.3, 16); Tax-registration copy and proof of obligations met, BOL proof of capital remittance, annual activity report and future plan (Arts.14.4-14.6); Parent's change resolution/notice (org, capital, charter or scope; report to the Investment Promotion Dept within 30 days) (Art.12.7); Notice to terminate/close the RO (voluntary, or parent now registered as a Lao legal entity, Art.16). Competent authority: File at the one-stop investment service office of the MPI Investment Promotion Department (Art.6); the Director-General signs the licence (Art.10); supervision also sits with the department (Arts.19, 20)..

What is the legal basis for a Foreign company representative office (set up / renew / amend / close) in Laos?

Based on Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 2; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 5; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 6; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 7; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 8; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 9; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 10; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 11; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 12; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 13; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 15; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 16; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 18; Agreement on the Establishment and Management of Foreign Representative Offices in the Lao People's Democratic Republic Article 22; the Investment Promotion Law Article . 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 Foreign company representative office (set up / renew / amend / close) in Laos?

An RO may not earn revenue: This is the line between an RO and a company (Art.18): an RO may NOT run revenue- or profit-making business, may NOT promote or sell goods/services in any form, and may NOT issue receipts or payment demands. It is only the parent's liaison/coordination/research window. To actually trade, sign revenue contracts or invoice, you must register a company (business licence / investment licence). Breach is fined under Art.22: US$5,000 for revenue activity, doubled on a second breach, tripled plus unconditional closure on a third, and the parent is barred from future ROs. Capital ≥ US$50,000: The RO's registered capital must be at least US$50,000 (Art.8.6) and be paid in full within 60 working days of the licence date (Art.12.1); the Bank of the Lao PDR then issues a capital-remittance certificate, needed at renewal (Art.14.5). Who decides, how long: File at the one-stop investment service office of the MPI Investment Promotion Department (Art.6). Within 3 working days it seeks the relevant departments' opinions (due in 7 working days); the department then issues the licence or a refusal within 5 working days of those opinions (Art.9); the Director-General signs the licence (Art.10). Term & renewal: A Type-1 RO runs 1 year, renewable three times (1 year each); after that, on the parent's application the central Investment Promotion & Management Committee may grant phased renewals (each up to 3 years, year by year) (Art.13). A Type-2 RO renews to match the parent's government MOU/contract, 1 year at a time. File renewal at least 30 days before expiry (Art.15). Duties within 60 working days: After the licence, comply with Art.12: pay capital in full within 60 working days; have an office and name sign within 60 days; publish an opening notice; open a Lao bank account for the RO; report activity to the Investment Promotion Dept every 6 and 12 months; and report any change of org/capital/charter/scope within 30 days of the parent's notice (Art.12.7). Close once the parent lands: The RO is transitional (Arts.13, 16): once the parent obtains an investment licence and registers as a Lao legal entity, the RO must stop and close. It also ends on expiry, voluntary closure or licence revocation. On termination, return the original licence to the Investment Promotion Dept within 10 working days (Art.16). Resident foreign staff are capped at two, with hiring priority to Lao citizens (Art.11).

How much does a Foreign company representative office (set up / renew / amend / close) cost in Laos and how long does it take?

Cost: Fees per the MPI current schedule (this agreement lists no application-fee amount; follow the posted rate); note the registered-capital floor of US$50,000 (Art.8.6, a capital threshold, not a fee); breach fines are in Art.22.. How long: Review 3 + 7 + 5 working days (Art.9); Type-1 term 1 year, renewable three times, then phased ≤3-year renewals (Art.13); per MPI notice..

Can LaoPaniti obtain the Foreign company representative office (set up / renew / amend / close) 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 File at the one-stop investment service office of the MPI Investment Promotion Department (Art.6); the Director-General signs the licence (Art.10); supervision also sits with the department (Arts.19, 20)..

Organise documents online and submit for pre-check →

Other matters

Taxpayer identification number (TIN) · tax registration · China-Laos double-tax relief (treaty reduced rates / tax credit) · VAT registration and filing (enter the VAT system / monthly return / credit & refund) · Annual tax clearance and tax-payment certificate (annual financial report / clearance certificate) · Land title (land use certificate): registration / transfer / inheritance / mortgage / reissue · Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution · 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) · Social security benefit claim (pension / disability / work-injury / sickness / maternity / unemployment / death / survivor / caregiver) · Precious-items (incl. gold) import/export permit · central-bank track · 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 · Animal & animal-product import/export/transit quarantine (IET) · Plant & plant-product import/export/transit quarantine · Patent / petty patent (utility model) registration · Trademark registration (register / renew / change / assign / licence / oppose) · Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) · Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) · New plant variety protection (breeder's right registration) · FDI foreign-exchange registration (investment account / capital-inflow certificate / repatriation) · External-borrowing & trade-credit forex registration (offshore account / lending abroad / borrowing from abroad / trade credit) · Payment service provider licence (new / renew / add service / cross-border) · Electronic signature / digital certificate (personal / legal-entity seal / staff / CA licence) · Private education institution setup (school / vocational / training) · Fire safety acceptance / permit (building · hotel · mall · factory · warehouse · gas) · Financial institution setup (bank/branch · microfinance · payment) · Veterinary clinic / animal-drug shop 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 · Economic dispute mediation (apply for mediation / file a defence at the Economic Dispute Resolution Centre) · Lao (.la) domain-name registration (new / change / renewal / transfer / subdomain) · Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) · 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