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Legal Document
Title: Law on Lao Nationality (Revised) No. 29/NA, Dated 01 November 2017
Type: Law
Responsible Agency: Ministry of Justice
Issuing Date: 2018-06-12
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LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY

________________

 

President’s Office                                                                                           No. 289/PO

                                                                                       Vientiane, 11th December 2017

DECREE

 of the

PRESIDENT

 of the

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

 

On the Promulgation of the Amended Law on Lao Nationality

 

  • Pursuant to Chapter 6, Article 67, point 1 of the Constitution of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (2015);

 

  • Pursuant to Resolution No. 061/NA, dated 1st November 2017, of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic, Adopting the Amended Law on Lao Nationality; and

 

  • Pursuant to Proposal No. 025/NASC, dated 28th November 2017, of the National Assembly Standing Committee.

 

The President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Decrees That:

 

Article 1. The Amended Law on Lao Nationality is hereby promulgated.

Article 2. This Decree shall enter into force on the date it is signed.

 

The President of the Lao People’s

Democratic Republic

 

[Seal and Signature]

 

                                                               Bounnhang Vorachith

 

 

 

 

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY

________________

 

National Assembly                                                                                         No. 061/NA

                                                                                       Vientiane, 11th November 2017

RESOLUTION

of the

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

of the

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

 

On the Approval of the Amended Law on Lao Nationality

           

Pursuant to Article 53, point 1 of the Constitution of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (2015) and Article 11, point 1 of the Law on National Assembly (2015);

 

After the 4th ordinary session of the VIII National Assembly Congress, wide studies and considerations were undertaken and an agreement was reached on the content of the amended Law on the amended Law on Lao Nationality in a resolution at the afternoon session of 1st November 2017.

The Session Agreed:

 

Article 1. The Amended Law on Lao Nationality was approved by majority vote.

Article 2. This Decree shall enter into force on the date it is signed.

 

The President of the National Assembly

 

[Seal and Signature]

 

                                                                Pany YATHOTOU

 

 

 

 

 

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY

_______________

  

The National Assembly                                                                                          No. 39/NA

Vientiane Capital, dated 15th November 2017

 

 

LAW ON LAO NATIONALITY

 (Amendment)

Chapter I

General Principle

Article 1 (Revised) Objectives

This law defines principles, rules, and measure on the management and monitoring of the acquisition,  withdrawal, forfeiture, re-acquisition of Lao nationality with the aim to get the works effectively done [in order] to improve the dignity of citizens and [their] responsibility to the nation,[and] to  extend solidarity and [compassion] to the nation of the Lao nationals [in order to encourage] , and to strengthen the relationship between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic as the State and Lao citizens.

Article 2 (Revised) Lao Nationality

Lao nationality is a political and legal relations closely linking an individual to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic [; such relations] confers rights and obligations of citizenship upon the individual towards the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and confers rights and obligations upon the Lao People’s Democratic Republic towards such citizen as stipulated in the constitution and laws.

An individual holding Lao nationality is a Lao citizen.

Article 3 (New) Interpretation of Terms

  1. Naturalization of Lao Nationality refers to the approval to a foreigner or an apatrid who has met the criteria, as defined in the article 18 of this law, to be naturalized as a Lao citizen.
  2. Restoration of Lao Nationality refers to the approval to an individual of Lao race who has met the criteria as defined in the article 19 of this law to reacquire the Lao nationality.
  3. Withdrawal of Lao Nationality refers to the approval to withdraw of Lao nationality from a person who has already acquired Lao nationality as defined in the article 24 of this law.
  4. Forfeiture of Lao Nationality refers to the approval to a Lao national to renounce the Lao nationality as defined in the article 24 of this law.
  5. An individual of Lao race refers to a person whose parents or one of the parents is/are Lao national.
  6. End of Legal Relations refers to the case where a person has been residing overseas without any contact and being responsible for his [or her] rights and duties through the Lao embassy or consulate.
  7. A Foreign Citizen refers to a foreigner and an alien.
  8. A foreigner refers to a person holding foreign nationality, entering to Laos for a short or long term stay in order to conduct a particular task, and will return in the set time. a foreigner is under the management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other concerned agencies.
  9. An Alien refers to a person who is holding foreign nationality, has entered and settled in Lao PDR for a long period, holding the alien card, and remains officially recognized by his[/her] state.
  10. An apatrid refers to a person who is residing in Lao PDR, is not Lao national, and cannot identify what nationality he/she is holding.
  11. Honor Citizen refers to a foreigner who is granted the honorary citizenship by the government.

 

Article 4 (New) The State’s Policies toward Affairs[1] regarding Nationality

            The state allows a foreign citizen, an apatrid, an individual of Lao race, who has met the criteria as defined in this law, to acquire Lao nationality.

            The State gives priority to a foreign citizen, apatrid, and individual of Lao race, who has contributed to national defense and development to acquire Lao nationality.

Article 5 (New) Principles of Lao Nationality Affairs

Activity regarding Lao nationality shall be conducted in accordance with these principles:

  1. To ensure the consistency with the policies, constitution, laws, strategic plan, [and] national socio-economic development plan;
  2.  To ensure the national stability, peace, security, public order, culture and good tradition;
  3. To ensure the secret protection of the state, government, a person, legal entity, and organizations;
  4. To ensure the protection of a foreigner’s and an apatrid’s legitimate rights and interests
  5. To ensure unity, quickness, transparency, convenience, correctness, and justice.

Article 6 One Nationality Only

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic does not authorize Lao citizens to hold several nationalities at the same time.

Article 7. Preservation of Lao Nationality

The marriage of a Lao citizen with or the divorce of a Lao citizen from individuals holding other nationalities or without nationality will not alter their Lao nationality.

Acquisition or forfeiture of Lao nationality will not induce any change in the nationality of the other spouse.

Article 8. Protection of Lao Citizens Overseas

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic administers and protects the legitimate rights and interests of Lao citizens residing overseas.

Article 9. Non-extradition of Lao Citizens

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic shall not extradite its citizens to a foreign state.

Article 10. Right to Request Naturalization to Other Nationalities

Lao citizens have the right to request naturalization to other nationalities but they must first relinquish their Lao nationality.

Relinquishment of Lao nationality is provided for in Article 18 of this law.

Article 11 (New) Scope of the Law

   This law applies to a Lao national, individual of Lao race, foreigner, alien, [and] apatrid who resides in Lao PDR and [to] a Lao national who resides overseas

Article 12 (New) International Cooperation

The State promotes cooperation with other countries, [in both] regional and international [levels] with regard to nationality affairs through exchanging the lessons learned, experience, [and] information, providing training and capacity building to the personnel, [and] other acts as consistent with international agreements and treaties that Lao PDR has been a party.

Chapter 2

Acquisition of Lao Nationality

Article 13. Basis for the Acquisition of Lao Nationality

Lao nationality is acquired from:

1. Birth;

2. Naturalization;

3. Re-acquisition of Lao nationality; [and]

4. Other bases as provided in Articles 14 to 19 of this law.

Article 14 (Revised) Nationality of Children Whose Parents are Lao Citizens

Children born to parents both holding Lao citizenship will be considered Lao citizens without taking into consideration whether they were born inside or outside the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

 

Article 15 (Revised) Nationality of Children Where One of the Parents is a Lao Citizen

If one of the parents is a Lao citizen, children will be considered Lao citizens by birth if:

  1. They are born within the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; [or]
  2. They are born outside the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, but both parents or one of the parents has at that time a permanent address in the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

In the event that children are born outside the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and both parents have permanent addresses outside the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, their nationality will be decided by their parents.

In the event that one of the parents is a Lao citizen and the other parent is an apatrid, the children will be considered Lao citizens by birth without taking their place of birth into consideration.

Article 16. Nationality of Children Born to Apatrid Parents

Children born in the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to apatrid parents permanently residing in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and integrated into the Lao society and culture will acquire Lao citizenship if requested by their parents.

Article 17. (Revised) Nationality of Children Whose Parents’ Identity is Unknown

Children found in the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and whose parents’ identity is unknown will be considered Lao citizens.

In the event that, while such children are still under eighteen years of age, evidence [is found that] demonstrates that their parents are foreign citizens they will be considered foreign citizens from birth.

Article 18 (Revised) Condition for Foreign Citizens or Apatrids to Acquire Lao Nationality

Foreign citizens or apatrid individuals may acquire Lao nationality upon request if:

  1. They are eighteen years of age or more when requesting Lao nationality;
  2. They respect the constitution and the laws of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic;
  3. They can fluently speak, read and write in Lao;
  4. They possess evidence of their social and cultural integration [and their] knowledge of and respect for Lao traditions;
  5. They are in good health, and are not suffering from any serious infectious disease or drug addiction;
  6. They have not been sentenced by any court to imprisonment or have been sentenced by any court to imprisonment due to the act of negligence;
  7. They have renounced their previous nationality except for apatrids
  8. They participate in the protection and development of the country;
  9. They have not caused harm to the national interest;
  10. They have professions and qualifications in certain level and have a stable economic status; [and]
  11. They have [established] continuous permanent residence in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for ten years before requesting Lao nationality.

For outstanding individuals, who have contributed to the national liberation, [or] national defense and development; and who have knowledge, expertise, talents, [or] been successful in business that the Party and State are in need of, they have [established] continuous permanent residence in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for at least 3 years before requesting Lao nationality.

For individuals who have an outstanding contribution to socio-economic development [and] been voluntary and willing to obey the constitution and laws of Lao PDR but they cannot renounce their previous nationality, they may be granted honorary citizenship by the Lao government.

Article 19 Acquisition of Lao Nationality by Individuals of Lao Race

Individuals who are of the Lao race may acquire Lao nationality upon their request [provided that they satisfy all] the conditions provided in Article 14 of this law, except for paragraph 9. [The minimum period of residency] is five years for individuals who have acquired other nationalities, and three years for individuals who have not acquired any nationality.

 

Article 20 (New) Dossiers of Application for Acquisition of Lao Nationality

A dossier of application of foreign citizens, apatrid, and individual of Lao Race for the acquisition of Lao nationality comprises of:

  1. An application for Lao nationality;
  2. A copied identity card or passport;
  3. A residential certificate;
  4. A copied household registration book;
  5. A curriculum vitae;
  6. A birth certificate of the requester or his [ or her] children’s who remain under eighteen years old;
  7. An approval letter of the children who are 8 years old up;
  8. A marital certificate;
  9. A diploma, other educational certificates, or a proficiency certificate of Lao language;
  10.  A criminal record certificate;
  11. A certificate of integration to Lao society and culture;
  12. A health certificate;
  13. A certificate of renouncement of the previous nationality (except for apatrid);  
  14. A certificate of continuous permanent residence in Lao PDR;
  15. A certificate of employment;
  16. A certificate of economic status;
  17. A certificate of completion of duties and responsibilities as required by laws;
  18. A certificate of contribution to national defense and development;
  19. A certificate of guaranty;
  20. A document confirming the fee and other charge payment in regards to Lao national;
  21. An ID photo of 3x4 size (taken to longer than 3 months)

Every document should be in Lao. If some documents are in foreign language, three have to be translated into Lao and the translations have to be certified by the notary office.

An application and supporting documents can be taken at justice office of districts, cities or municipal, departments of justice of provinces and Vientiane capital, or the Ministry of Justice.

Article 21 (Revised) Submitting and Consideration of an Application

An application to acquire, relinquish or re-acquire Lao nationality shall be submitted and processed by each of the following organizations [in this order]:

  1. Village level: village administration shall examine and consider within ten days after the application has been submitted;
  2. District level: district or municipal administration shall centrally and uniformly manage by assigning the justice office of district, municipal, [or] city in cooperation with district [or city] police station and home affair office of district [or] city to examine and consider within twenty days after the application has been submitted [to their offices];
  3. Provincial Level; provincial or metropolitan administration office shall centrally and uniformly manage by assigning provincial or metropolitan department of justice in collaboration with Department of public security, department of home affairs, and other [concerned] departments to examine and consider within twenty days after the application has been submitted [to their offices];
  4. The Ministry of Justice; this ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Home Affairs to examine the correctness which is defined in the article 18,19, and 20 of this law within thirty days after the application has been submitted [to their offices];

After the application received, the Ministry of Justice shall examine the application. If there is an unclear or incomplete document, the ministry shall raise a question in collaboration with the concerned organizations. If there is no issue, the ministry shall set an interviewing committee before making a proposal to the government.

For Laotians residing overseas who wish to relinquish Lao nationality, the application shall be sent to the embassy or consulate at that country to check correctness and completeness within fifteen days within thirty days after the application has been submitted [to their offices]; then, the application shall be submitted to the Ministry of Justice through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to consider before making a proposal to the government. In the event that there is no Lao embassy or consulate, the application can be sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

 

 

Chapter 3

Forfeiture and Re-acquisition of Lao Nationality

Article 22 Causes Leading to the Forfeiture of Lao Nationality

Lao nationality will be forfeited if:

  1. Lao nationality is relinquished;
  2. Lao nationality is withdrawn; [or]
  3. [The concerned party] has migrated to another country.

An individual’s forfeiture of nationality shall not change the nationality of the individual’s husband or wife or children.

Article 23 (Revised) Relinquishment of Lao Nationality

Lao citizens may relinquish Lao nationality by the authorization from the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The relinquishment of Lao nationality will not be authorized if:

  1. The applicant has not fully discharged his duties as a citizen towards the State or society, such as tax and other obligations;
  2. The applicant is accused of, a defendant or is being prosecuted in a people’s court whose decision has not yet been executed; [or]
  3. The relinquishment of Lao nationality is contrary to the interests or security of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Article 24 (Revised) Withdrawal of Lao Nationality

The Lao nationality may be withdrawn within a period of five years from the day it is acquired, by the proposal of the Ministry of Justice if it is found that:

  1. The acquisition of Lao nationality was in contravention of the laws; [or]
  2. The concerned individual has dishonored his [or her] Lao citizenship, for instance by committing treason or causing damage to the nation.

The withdrawal of Lao nationality will not alter the nationality of the concerned individual’s spouse or children.

 

Article 25 Residing in Other Countries

An individual shall forfeit Lao nationality [in the following circumstances:] he has resided in other countries for more than seven years without authorization; his authorization to reside overseas has expired and he is not under the administration of the embassy or consulate of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in those countries; or he has not maintained any legal connection with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for more than ten years.

Article 26 (Revised) Re-acquisition of Lao Nationality

Individuals who have forfeited Lao nationality may re-acquire it due to their request and the atheization of the government of Lao PDR.  

Applicants for the re-acquisition of Lao nationality must provide evidence of their former Lao nationality.

Individuals whose Lao nationality has been withdrawn shall not re-acquire Lao nationality.

Chapter 4

Nationality of Children upon Alteration

of Their Parents’ Nationality

Article 27. Nationality of Children

If both parents acquire or relinquish Lao nationality, the nationality of their children of less than eighteen years of age will change in parallel to their parents’ nationality, except if such children have married in accordance with the laws.

Article 28. Nationality of Children Where One Parent Has Acquired Lao Nationality

If one parent acquires Lao nationality while the parent holds another nationality, the children may acquire Lao nationality upon the request of the parent holding Lao nationality. Children who are Lao citizens, who are above fifteen years of age but less than eighteen years of age and married in accordance with the laws, may choose the nationality of [either] parent.

If one parent has acquired Lao nationality while the other parent is an apatrid, their children residing in the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic will be considered Lao citizens.

If one parent has acquired Lao nationality while the other parent is an apatrid, their children residing in the territory of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic will be considered Lao citizens.

Article 29. Nationality of Children Where One Parent Has Relinquished Lao Nationality

If one parent has relinquished Lao nationality while the other parent has maintained Lao nationality, the children will maintain Lao nationality.

Article 30. Nationality of Adopted [Foreign] Children

Foreign or apatrid children adopted by Lao citizens will be considered Lao citizens.

Foreign or apatrid children adopted by a married couple where one spouse is a Lao citizen and the other spouse is a foreign citizen or apatrid will be [deemed] to hold Lao nationality in accordance with the agreement of the adoptive parents.

Article 31. Nationality of Adopted Lao Children

Children holding Lao nationality and adopted by a married couple where the both are foreign citizen or one of spouse is a Lao citizen and the other is a foreign citizen will maintain their Lao nationality. Such children may relinquish Lao nationality upon the request of the adoptive parents.

Children holding Lao nationality and adopted by a married couple where the both are apatrids or one of a spouse is a Lao citizen and the other [spouse] is an apatrid will maintain their Lao nationality.

 

 

 

Chapter V

Determination, Registration, and Conferring

of Lao Nationality

Article 32. Determination of Nationality

The acquisition, withdrawal, relinquishment, and re-acquisition of Lao nationality are decided by the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic upon the proposal of the Ministry of Justice.

Article 33 (New) Registration of Lao Nationality

            After the government has decided on the nationality affairs, it has to be registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

            For individuals who reside overseas and whose forfeiture have been approved, they could register it with the embassy and consulate of Lao PDR at the respective country.

Article 34. (Revised) Conferring Lao Nationality

The provincial [or] metropolitan administration office shall organize the official event after the acquisition has been registered, with the participation of representatives from the department of justice, department of international relations, department of public security, department of home affairs, the Lao Front for National Construction and mass organizations of Vientiane Capital and provinces, and other concerned organizations.

Chapter VI Prohibitions

Article 35 (New) Prohibitions for the Authorities [or] Civil Servants Responsible for Nationality Affairs

          The authorities or civil servants are prohibited to act as below:

  1. To abuse of their power, duties, [and] position in order to benefit themselves, their family, or their relatives;
  2. To claim for, request for, take, or agree to take a bribe;
  3. To delay, hide, and damage the document regarding nationality affairs; [or]
  4. Other acts as against the laws.

Article 36 (New) Prohibition for the Requesters

The requesters are prohibited to act as below:

  1. To provide false a document or information;
  2. To force, intimidate, coerce, lie, [or] deceive the authorities who are responsible for nationality affairs;
  3. To offer a bribe to the authorities who are responsible for nationality affairs;
  4. Other acts as against the laws.

Article 37 (New) Prohibition for other Individual and Organizations

Individual and Organizations are prohibited to act as below:

  1. To incorporate [or] hinder the operation of the authorities who are responsible for nationality affairs;
  2. To be a third party as a conduit to channel a bribe to the authorities who are responsible for nationality affairs;
  3. To conspire to falsify a document or providing a false information regarding nationality affairs
  4. Other acts as against the laws.

Chapter VII Management of Nationality [Affairs]

Article 38 (New) Management Agency of Nationality Affairs

The government centrally and uniformly manages the nationality by assigning the Ministry of Justice to be directly responsible for and to be the key entity to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Prime Minister’ Office, local administrations, and other concerned organizations.

Article 39 (New) Rights and Duties of the Ministry of Justice

In the management of nationality affair, the Ministry of Justice has these following right and duties:

  1. To elaborate [and] draft a policy, strategic plan, law, and legislation below the law, with regard to nationality in order to propose to the government to consider;
  2. To transform the policies, strategies, [and] laws into regulations, plans, [and] projects in detail and to implement them.
  3.  To propagate [and] disseminate the policies, strategies, laws, and regulations regarding nationality affairs;
  4. To manage, guide, [and] monitor the implementation of laws and regulations below the law, regarding nationality;
  5. To organize an interviewing committee;
  6. To verify the legal correctness in holding Lao nationality;
  7. To design an application form;
  8. To request the government to issue the agreement on acquisition, forfeiture, re-acquisition, or withdraw of Lao nationality
  9. To liaise and collaborate with other concerned organizations regarding nationality affairs;
  10. To summarize [and] its performance on nationality to the government on regular basis; [and]
  11. To exercise such other rights and perform such other duties as defined in the laws.

Article 40 (New) Rights and Duties of the Ministry of Public Security

In the management of nationality affair, the Ministry of Public Security, under its responsibilities, has these following right and duties:

  1. To transform this law into its legislations below law and implement [them];
  2. To study and comment on [or verify] the documents regarding the acquisition, forfeiture, [and] reacquisition of the Lao nationality;
  3. To register [them] to Lao household registration [and] issue an identity card after [the acquisition or reacquisition] has been authorized by the government and has been registered [with the Ministry of Home Affairs];
  4. Monitor [or] inspect the persons within 5 years after they have acquired Lao nationality;
  5. To manage, guide, monitor, and summarize the implementation of the laws and legislations below law in regard to nationality affairs; [and]
  6. To exercise such other rights and perform such other duties as defined in the laws.

Article 41 (New) Rights and Duties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In the management of nationality affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under its responsibilities, has these following right and duties:

  1. To transform this law into its legislations below law and implement [them];
  2. To study and comment on [or verify] the documents regarding the acquisition, forfeiture, [and] reacquisition of the Lao nationality;
  3. To manage [and] guide the registration of Lao nationality forfeiture in a foreign country;
  4. To manage, guide, monitor, and summarize the implementation of the laws and legislations below law in regard to nationality affairs; [and]
  5. To exercise such other rights and perform such other duties as defined in the laws.

Article 42 (New) Rights and Duties of the Ministry of Home Affairs

In the management of nationality affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, under its responsibilities, has these following right and duties:

  1. To transform this law into its legislations below law and implement [them];
  2. To manage the registration regarding nationality affairs;
  3. To manage, guide, monitor, and summarize the implementation of the laws and legislations below law in regard to nationality affairs; [and]
  4. To exercise such other rights and perform such other duties as defined in the laws.

Article 44 (New) Rights and Duties of the Prime Minister’s Office

In the management of nationality, the Prime Minister’s Office, under its responsibilities, has these following right and duties:

  1. To transform this law into its legislations below law and implement [them];
  2. To consider the proposal of the acquisition, forfeiture, re-acquisition, and withdraw of Lao nationality and introduce to the government; and propose it to the government;
  3. To issue a notice to the concerned agencies as agreed by the government;
  4. To manage, guide, monitor, and summarize the implementation of the laws and legislations below law in regard to nationality; [and]
  5. To exercise such other rights and perform such other duties as defined in the laws.

Article 45 (New) Rights and Duties of the Local Administration

The management of nationality affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office, under its responsibilities, has these following right and duties:

  1. To consider, inspect, and verify the document regarding nationality affairs;
  2. To arrange a nationality granting event;
  3. To manage, guide, monitor, and summarize the implementation of the laws and legislations below law in regard to nationality; [and]
  4. To exercise such other rights and perform such other duties as defined in the laws.

Chapter VIII

 Inspection of Nationality

Article 46 (New) Nationality Inspection Agency

          Inspection agency of nationality affairs consists of:

  1. Internal inspection agency is the same agency that manages nationality affairs as defined in the article 38 of this law;
  2. External inspection agency is the National Assembly, provincial assembly, government, Government Inspection Authority, State’s inspection authority at each level, Lao Front of National Construction, and other mass organizations.

Article 47 Nature of Inspection

Nationality affairs inspection consists of the following key contents:

  1. Inspection of the implementation of the laws and legislations below the law, with regard to nationality affairs;
  2. Inspection of the organization and activities of the management agency of nationality affairs;
  3. Inspection of the responsibility of authorities [or] civil servants in regard to nationality affairs.

Article 48 (New) Types of Inspection

Nationality inspections are divided into three types as follows:

  1. Regular inspection which [refers to] an inspection which is performed according to plans on a regular basis and at a specified time;
  2. Inspection upon advance notification [refers to] an emergency inspection of which the entity to be inspected is not notified in advance.
  3. Immediate Inspections which [refers to] an inspection which is not performed according to plans, [but only] when deemed necessary and of which the entity to be inspected is notified in advance.

 

In performing inspections regarding the nationality affairs, officers of the inspection authority shall strictly comply with the laws.

Chapter 9

Policies[2] toward Persons with Outstanding Achievement

and Measures Against Offenders

Article 49 (New) Policies toward Person with Outstanding Achievement

Individuals, legal entities, or organizations that have outstanding achievements in implementing this law, such as providing full cooperation, reports, and information about the behavior or real operation will be rewarded and receive other policies as provided by regulations.

Article 50 (New) Measures against Offenders

Individuals, legal entities, or organizations which have violated the provisions of this law shall be re-educated, warned, fined or subject to penal measures depending on the gravity of the violation and shall pay compensation for the damage caused.

Chapter 10

Final Provisions

Article 51 Implementation

The government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic shall implement this law.

Article 52 (Revised) Effectiveness

This law enters into force from the date of the promulgating decree issued by the President of the State of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and in 15 days after this law has been published in the official gazette.

This law supersedes the Law on Lao Nationality, No. 5/NA, dated 17 May 2014.

Provisions [or] rules that conflict with this law shall be abrogated

 

President of the National Assembly

 

 

[1] The translator understood that the nationality affairs refers to the acquisition, withdrawal, forfeiture, and re-acquisition of Lao nationality.

[2] The term “policies” has the connotation of “privileges” or “incentives”.  



Download English:Law on Lao Nationality (Revised) No. 29/NA, Dated 01 November 2017

Download Lao:Law on Lao Nationality (Revised) No. 29/NA, Dated 01 November 2017