Main Steps of Company Registration in Laos

The usual timeframe for company incorporation in Lao PDR is approximately two weeks from the date of filing application documents with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC).

Applying for and obtaining an industry-specific operating licence is a separate process from company establishment. This may take approximately one to two months after the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) has been issued, depending on the nature of the business and the responsiveness of the relevant ministry.

Below, we outline the main steps of the company incorporation process in Laos.

1. Investigate foreign ownership limits and minimum registered capital requirements;
2. Identify whether an industry-specific operating licence or an investment licence is required;
3. Apply for the Enterprise Registration Certificate;
4. Apply for the Operating Licence (if applicable);
5. Apply for a Company Seal and Company Seal Approval;
6. Register with the Tax Revenue Information System (TaxRIS); and
7. Apply for a Capital Importation Certificate (if applicable).

1. Planning Your Investment

Certain sectors in Laos remain restricted or limited to foreign investment. Foreign investors may be required to:

• Obtain an operating licence;
• Meet minimum capital requirements;
• Form a joint venture with a local partner; or
• Enter into a concession agreement with the Government.

We recommend that foreign investors plan their investments carefully and seek professional legal advice to understand the requirements for incorporation and the regulatory framework for their intended business activities.

2. Application for Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)

The ERC certifies that the company is legally registered in Laos. It includes key company information such as:

• Tax identification number (TIN);
• Permitted business activities; and
• Name of the managing director.

Required documents for ERC application:

1. Power of Attorney (if a legal representative is appointed to submit the application);
2. Application form for ERC;
3. Shareholders’ Agreement (if there are multiple shareholders);
4. Board or Directors’ Resolution (in case of a corporate shareholder), approving:

• the establishmentof the company;
• The company name;
• Registered capital;
• Appointment of shareholder representative(s) and managing director;

5. CVs of individual shareholders and directors.

Language and Legalisation Requirements:

• All application forms for company registration must be completed in the Lao language;
• Any supporting documents not in Lao (including those in English) must be accompanied by a certified Lao translation;
• Foreign documents do not require an apostille, notarisation or legalisation.

3. Other Post-Incorporation Steps

In addition to obtaining an ERC, a company may need to complete several additional steps depending on the nature of its business:

• Operating licence – Companies engaging in certain regulated activities must obtain an operating licence from the relevant ministry.
• Capital Importation Certificate (CIC) – If the registered capital of a foreign-owned company is required to be brought into Laos, a CIC must be obtained from the Bank of the Lao PDR.

In addition, all companies are required to:

• Obtain a company seal and seal approval from the Ministry of Public Security.
• Register with the Tax Revenue Information System (TaxRIS) by submitting an application to the Tax Department. This registration is necessary in order to file tax returns online.

How We Can Help

At Law Hero, our team is ready to support your business in Laos by providing comprehensive legal and regulatory assistance, including:

• Company incorporation
• Tax registration
• Obtaining and renewing operating and investment licences
• Appointment of new directors
• Acquisition of shares in a Lao company
• Opening corporate bank accounts

Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs of your business, ensuring compliance with Lao law and efficient navigation of the regulatory process.