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Laos introduces e-passport to ease immigration procedures

Xinhua, December 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Laos plans to introduce e-passport since 2016 in a bid to hasten the immigration process.

Accordingly, e-passport for use by diplomats is scheduled to be launched in January while that for officials and citizens will start in June, Lao local Vientiane Times online newspaper reported Friday.

Instead of queuing up to wait for inspection by immigration officials, e-passport holders can go through an electronic gate where their passports will be scanned by a machine.

Laos plans to introduce the e-passport for Lao nationals only, Vientiane Times quoted an official from Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Department as saying.

An auto gate for travelers holding e-passports has been installed at Wattay International Airport in Laos' capital Vientiane. This is the only international gateway in Laos designated to handle e-passports.

Current passports are still valid, and immigration officials will still be stationed at the airport continuously for the inspection of ordinary passports. Enditem