Explore Travel/Destinations/International

Travelling to Asia? New rules for Bali, Laos and Singapore could catch you out

New Asian travel rules you must know before you go.

Singapore cityscape. Picture by Shutterstock

Updated September 9, 2025, first published September 3, 2025

Planning a trip to Asia? Don't get caught out at the border or breaking the law. These countries have new rules coming in this month.

Laos digital card

Laos launched a new digital system for filling in immigration arrival and departure information on September 1.

Passengers arriving in the country will have the option to fill in an existing paper form or fill out the new digital form.

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Boats at the water's edge in Laos. Picture by Shutterstock

If you choose the digital form, called the Laos Digital Immigration Form (LDIF), it must be filled in online within three days of entering or exiting Laos.

Complete the LDIF through The Department of Immigration of Lao PDR website here: immigration.gov.la/en/home

Singapore vaping ban

Singapore introduced tough new vaping penalties on September 1.

Possessing or importing vapes, even in transit or for your own use, is illegal in Singapore.

Foreigners caught vaping will face an automatic SGD$700 ($833) fine and have their vape seized. Repeated reoffenders will be banned from re-entering Singapore.

Find out more about the penalties at gov.sg/stopvaping

Bali entry paperwork

From September 1, Australian travellers entering Indonesia through three airports will need to fill-out the new All Indonesia Arrival Card before they travel.

These airports are Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali (DPS), Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta and Juanda International Airport in Surabaya (SUB).

A temple in Bali. Picture by Shutterstock

The Arrival Card must be submitted online at least 48 hours before arriving in Indonesia.

The Arrival Card is not a visa; Aussies still need to submit either an e-Visa on Arrival or a Visa on Arrival. These must be done after lodging the Arrival Card.

Smartraveller said the Arrival Card will extend to all other Indonesian airports from October 1.

Aussie government warning to party safely

Travellers at Australian international airports will receive a text message from the Australian Government warning them to party safely while overseas.

This follows a spate of methanol poisonings overseas, particularly in Asian countries.

"Enjoying a drink on your overseas trip? Look after yourself and your mates. Be aware of the risks of drink spiking and know the signs of methanol poisoning," the text message reads.

Head to the Smartraveller website for tips including knowing your alcohol limits, thinking about your transport options, methanol poisoning symptoms, scams and drink spiking.

Find out more at smartraveller.gov.au

Words bySarah Falson

Sarah is Explore's Digital News Editor. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!. My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.