Law on Lao Nationality (Amended)
老挝国籍法（修订版）
ກົດໝາຍວ່າດ້ວຍ ສັນຊາດລາວ (ສະບັບປັບປຸງ)
Summary
This Law prescribes matters concerning the acquisition, loss, and restoration of Lao nationality, and clarifies the legal status of Lao citizenship. This Law applies to individuals applying for admission to, renunciation of, or restoration of Lao nationality, and defines the meanings of relevant terms, so as to ensure the standardization of nationality administration and the clarity of citizens' rights and interests.
Articles
Article 1
Article 1 (Amended). Purpose
This Law prescribes principles, regulations, and measures for the management, supervision, and inspection of Lao nationality, concerning the granting of nationality, revocation of nationality, permission to renounce nationality, and restoration of Lao nationality, in order to make the aforementioned work effective, aiming to promote the dignity and sense of responsibility of Lao citizens towards the nation, foster the tradition of unity and patriotic spirit of Lao citizens, and further strengthen the close ties between the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPRP) and Lao citizens.
Article 2
Article 2 (Amended): Lao Nationality
Lao nationality is a close political and legal bond between an individual and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, reflected in the rights and obligations that Lao citizens enjoy and bear towards the Lao People's Democratic Republic, as well as the rights and responsibilities that the Lao People's Democratic Republic enjoys and bears towards Lao citizens, all in accordance with the Constitution and laws.
Any person possessing Lao nationality is a Lao citizen.
Article 3
Article 3 (New). Interpretation of Terms
The terms used in this Law shall have the following meanings:
1. Granting of Lao nationality means deciding to grant Lao nationality to a foreign citizen or stateless person who meets the full conditions as stipulated in Article 18 of this Law;
2. Restoration of Lao nationality means deciding to restore Lao nationality to a person of Lao descent who holds foreign nationality and meets the full conditions as stipulated in Article 19 of this Law;
3. Revocation of Lao nationality means deciding to revoke the Lao nationality of a person who has acquired Lao nationality, as stipulated in Article 24 of this Law;
4. Renunciation of Lao nationality means deciding to permit a Lao citizen to renounce Lao nationality, as stipulated in Article 23 of this Law;
5. Person of Lao descent means a person born to both parents, or either father or mother, who are Lao citizens;
6. Loss of legal ties with the Lao People's Democratic Republic means a person who goes to reside abroad, severs ties, and fails to fulfill the rights and obligations of a Lao citizen towards the Lao People's Democratic Republic through the Lao Embassy or Lao Consulate General abroad;
7. Foreign citizen means a foreigner and an alien;
8. Foreigner means a person holding the nationality of another country, who enters the Lao People's Democratic Republic temporarily for a short or long term to perform a specific task, and who returns upon the expiration of the task. Such persons are managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant sectors;
9. Alien means a person holding the nationality of another country who enters the Lao People's Democratic Republic for long-term settlement and residence, holds an alien card, and is still officially recognized by their home government;
10. Stateless person means a person residing within the territory of the Lao People's Democratic Republic who is not a Lao citizen and cannot prove that they hold any nationality;
11. Honorary citizen means a foreign citizen to whom this title is granted by a decision of the Government.
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