Lao officials attend a training course to enhance their skills in detecting fraudulent documents, improving operational efficiency at Wattay International Airport. - Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: A cutting-edge document examination tool capable of detecting fraudulent travel documents by analysing security features such as watermarks, holograms and microprints using a high-resolution camera has been installed at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane.
The tool will enable Lao immigration authorities to conduct thorough verification of passports and other security documents, strengthening border management and ensuring compliance with international standards.
Director General of the Department of Immigration, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Police Colonel Phetdavong Keokanyan, said, “Recognising that the Lao PDR shares borders with five countries and faces multifaceted challenges in managing and examining fake travel documents imposed by transnational crimes, such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling.”
To streamline operations, Lao immigration authorities have also updated their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by introducing a comprehensive manual for managing arrivals and departures at international airports and border checkpoints. The manual serves as a key resource for frontline immigration officers, offering clear guidelines on their responsibilities, traveller profiling, and adherence to proper procedures. This initiative aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in immigration management, ensuring a smoother experience for all travellers.
The tool and 450 copies of the manual were officially handed over to the Department of Immigration (DOI) on 12 February under a project funded by the Department of Home Affairs, Government of Australia, and implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with Lao immigration authorities.
“IOM remains dedicated to working closely with the Department of Immigration and the people of the Lao PDR to enhance mobility and regular pathways, with a focus on rights-compliant border governance and legal identity solutions,” said Shareen Tuladhar, Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration in Laos.
Ambassador of Australia to Laos, Megan Jones, emphasised, “The Mekong-Australia Partnership is critical for Australia in working within the Mekong subregion to tackle shared development challenges and ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous region, while supporting the subregion’s priorities where Australia can add value.”
These initiatives will enhance the Lao PDR’s capacity to screen travel documents and visas, manage border procedures, and implement entry and exit regulations, passport checks, and traveller assessments. The objective is to improve visa processing, facilitate legal identity access, and ensure smoother travel pathways. By standardising these procedures, the manual aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and consistency in border management.
On February 5-6, a two-day training programme was conducted for Lao immigration officers, strengthening their ability to operate the advanced verification tool. This training improved their skills in detecting fraudulent documents and enhanced operational efficiency at Wattay International Airport.
The handover ceremony marked the successful completion of this cross-border management project, which aims to strengthen the capacity of border officials to systematically detect, disrupt, and combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking and smuggling.
“IOM remains dedicated to working closely with the Department of Immigration and the people of the Lao PDR to enhance mobility and regular pathways, with a focus on rights-compliant border governance and legal identity solutions,” said Shareen Tuladhar. - Vientiane Times/ANN
