Business licence (enterprise registration certificate): new / change / reissue / dissolution
企业注册与设立
ໃບທະບຽນວິສາຫະກິດ (ຂຶ້ນທະບຽນໃໝ່/ປ່ຽນແປງ/ຂໍໃບໃໝ່/ຍຸບເລີກ)
Handling agency: Department of Enterprise Management (MOIC)
Source: 老挝服务贸易门户(lsp.moic.gov.la) (http://lsp.moic.gov.la/index.php?r=site/downloadfile&file=2017031605035054.pdf)
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)
Procedure
- 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
- Collect the certificate within 3 working days (it carries the taxpayer number; electronic and paper versions have equal force)
- Before trading: controlled-list activities need the sector operating licence; others may start directly
- Hang the enterprise sign within 60 days; for a seal, submit a copy of the certificate to the police, 2 working days
Statutory time limit
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
Common questions and pitfalls
- 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)
- The name must be Lao and English, not a duplicate, not a state or agency name, not a Lao-English mix; the name itself is no licence to trade (2024 guidance)
- With foreigners: valid passport, certified translations of foreign documents, and 1 original + 2 copies (2024 guidance item 4)
- A proxy needs a power of attorney; a corporate shareholder needs its certificate copy and list of managers/shareholders (2024 guidance item 3)
- Changes must be declared within 30 days; share transfer contracts need court-registry certification (Art. 24; 2024 guidance chapter 8)
- Hang the sign within 60 days (30×60 cm, yellow with red letters, name, registration number, phone); penalties under the 2026 fines agreement
- Settle tax before dissolving: without the tax authority's cessation or TIN-termination certificate the registrar will not accept the file (2024 guidance)
19 items to fill in