Vietnam Immigration Department

Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form — What It Is, Who Must Fill It & When

Mandatory digital immigration form introduced by the Vietnam Immigration Department, effective April 15, 2026. Required for all foreign passport holders arriving at SGN (Ho Chi Minh City), PQC (Phu Quoc), HAN (Hanoi), DAD (Da Nang), and CXR (Nha Trang).

Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Form online submission
Mandatory at
SGN · PQC · HAN (Hanoi) · DAD (Da Nang) · CXR (Nha Trang)
📢 Recent Changes
Jul 1, 2026

Vietnam Health Declaration 2026 takes effect under Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP — a new mandatory health monitoring form required for all travelers crossing any Vietnamese border (airports, land, and sea crossings). This is a separate document from the Pre-Arrival Form. Full guide →

Jun 22, 2026

Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) in Nha Trang joined the PAI system — the Pre-Arrival Form is now mandatory for all international arrivals at CXR. Full guide →

Jun 15, 2026

Da Nang International Airport (DAD) joined the PAI system — the Pre-Arrival Form is now mandatory at DAD. Previously exempt. Full update →

Jun 8, 2026

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi joined the PAI system — the Pre-Arrival Form is now mandatory at HAN. Previously exempt. Full update →

Jun 1, 2026

Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) joined the PAI system — the digital Pre-Arrival Form is now mandatory for all international passengers arriving at PQC. Previously exempt. Full guide →

Vietnam Pre-Arrival form on a digital device
What it is

What Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form?

The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Form is a mandatory digital immigration form introduced by the Vietnam Immigration Department, effective April 15, 2026. It requires all foreign passport holders — and overseas Vietnamese entering with a visa — to submit their travel and personal details online before arriving at any of the five covered airports: SGN (Ho Chi Minh City), PQC (Phu Quoc), HAN (Hanoi), DAD (Da Nang), or CXR (Nha Trang). You may also see it called the Vietnam Arrival Card or Disembarkation Card — different names, the same form.

To complete the form, travelers need a valid passport, confirmed flight details, visa or entry document information, and the full address of their accommodation in Vietnam. The form is completed online at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn — free of charge. No documents need to be uploaded; a passport photo can be submitted optionally to auto-fill personal data. Submission generates a QR code confirmation — the document immigration officers scan when you arrive at the airport.

The requirement covers Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) (since April 15, 2026), Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) (since June 1, 2026), Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi (since June 8, 2026), Da Nang International Airport (DAD) (since June 15, 2026), and Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) in Nha Trang (since June 2026). Travelers arriving at other Vietnamese airports (Cat Bi/HPH and others not listed above) are not yet required to submit the form. The form can be submitted up to 3 days before your arrival date. After submitting, travelers receive a confirmation which must be shown at airport immigration alongside their passport and visa. It replaces the paper Disembarkation Card (tờ khai nhập cảnh) previously handed out on aircraft before landing.

Eligibility

Who needs it?

The Vietnam Immigration Department makes the form mandatory for all international arrivals at SGN, PQC, HAN, DAD, and CXR. Check your status below.

Required ✓

REQUIREDAll foreign nationals arriving at SGN (Ho Chi Minh City), PQC (Phu Quoc), HAN (Hanoi / Noi Bai), DAD (Da Nang), or CXR (Nha Trang) — including tourists, business travelers, and those on e-visas or sticker visas.
REQUIREDOverseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) entering Vietnam on a foreign passport with a visa. Visa-exempt overseas Vietnamese should verify their status at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.

Not Required ×

REQUIREDTravelers arriving at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi (since June 8), Da Nang International Airport (DAD) (since June 15, 2026), and Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) in Nha Trang (since June 2026).
EXEMPTCat Bi (HPH) and all other Vietnamese airports not listed above — not currently required. This may change — always check before travel.
If you are unsure whether you need to fill the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form, check the full eligibility requirements.

Does visa status change who needs it?

It is required at all covered airports (SGN, PQC, HAN, DAD, CXR) regardless of whether you hold a visa or qualify for visa-free entry — the table below shows how this works across the most common nationalities.

NationalityVisa required?Visa-free stayForm required at SGN/PQC/HAN/DAD/CXR?
🇸🇬 SingaporeNo30 days (unilateral)✓ Yes
🇰🇷 South KoreaNo45 days (unilateral)✓ Yes
🇯🇵 JapanNo45 days (unilateral)✓ Yes
🇫🇷 FranceNo45 days (unilateral)✓ Yes
🇩🇪 GermanyNo45 days (unilateral)✓ Yes
🇹🇭 ThailandNo30 days (bilateral)✓ Yes
🇵🇭 PhilippinesNo30 days (bilateral)✓ Yes
🇲🇾 MalaysiaNo30 days (bilateral)✓ Yes
🇹🇼 TaiwanNo15 days (unilateral)✓ Yes
🇷🇺 RussiaNo30 days (unilateral)✓ Yes
🇮🇩 IndonesiaNo30 days (bilateral)✓ Yes
🇦🇺 AustraliaYes (e-visa)✓ Yes
🇺🇸 United StatesYes (e-visa)✓ Yes
🇬🇧 United KingdomYes (e-visa)✓ Yes
🇮🇳 IndiaYes (e-visa)✓ Yes

Visa-free eligibility changes. Verify your nationality's current status at evisa.gov.vn before travel.

Exemptions

Who Does NOT Need the Pre-Arrival Form?

Travelers arriving at airports other than Tan Son Nhat are currently exempt from this requirement.
✈️

Other Vietnamese airports

As of June 2026, the requirement covers SGN (Ho Chi Minh City), PQC (Phu Quoc), HAN (Hanoi / Noi Bai), DAD (Da Nang), and CXR (Nha Trang / Cam Ranh). Travelers arriving at Cat Bi/HPH and other airports not listed above are currently exempt. Always verify before travel.

🛂

Visa-exempt overseas Vietnamese

Visa-exempt overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) may be exempt depending on their specific entry category. Always confirm at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn before travel.

🔄

Transit passengers (airside)

Transit passengers who do not pass through Vietnamese immigration are likely exempt. Confirm with your airline as rules may vary depending on your carrier and itinerary.

📋

Full exemption breakdown

For a complete list of who is required and who is exempt, including specific visa categories and entry conditions, see our requirements page.

Key facts

Everything you need to know.

Quick reference for the most important details about the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Form.
CostFree — no government fee
When to fillUp to 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival date in Vietnam
Where to fillOnline at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn or via the Su-Swagatam mobile app (iOS and Android)
Applies toTan Son Nhat (SGN) Ho Chi Minh City · Phu Quoc (PQC) · Noi Bai (HAN) Hanoi · Da Nang (DAD) · Cam Ranh (CXR) Nha Trang
Mandatory sinceApril 15, 2026
Who issues itVietnam Immigration Department
How it works

How to complete the Pre-Arrival Form.

Four steps at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn — takes about 10 minutes with your documents ready.
1

Select nationality

Choose your nationality from the dropdown and click Next to start your application at the official portal.

2

Passenger information

Enter passport details, visa type, contact information, and optionally add family members using "Add Passenger +".

3

Trip information

Select your flight code, accommodation address in Vietnam, and expected departure date.

4

Review & submit

Check every field against your passport and booking, then submit. The result page displays a QR code — screenshot the full page or download the PDF right away. Show it at airline check-in before boarding and to the immigration officer on arrival.

SGN has QR kiosks in the terminal for passengers who did not pre-submit — but queues build quickly during peak arrival hours. Completing the form before you fly takes ten minutes and avoids that wait entirely.

Timing

The 3-day window.

The form window opens 3 days before your arrival date — not your departure date. The portal locks once the window closes — there is no workaround at the airport.

Submitting within the window gives you time to fix any potential errors. Ideally complete it 2 to 3 days before arrival.

2–3 days
Ideal
Within the official window with enough time to correct any errors.
Recommended
24 hours
Acceptable
Still within the window — double-check all details before submitting.
OK
Few hours
Risky
Technically possible but leaves no time for errors or technical problems.
Risky
After close
Too late
You may face delays at immigration or be denied boarding. No workaround.
Avoid
Vietnam travel planning — pre-arrival form timing

Some guides state the window opens "3 days before departure" — this is not how it works. The 72 hours count backward from your scheduled arrival time in Vietnam, not from when you leave home. For example: landing at your Vietnam airport on May 10 at 08:00 means you can submit from May 7 at 08:00 (GMT+7) onwards.

Watch out

Errors that cause delays at the airport.

Our expert review catches these mistakes before the government portal sees them.
!

Wrong airport selected

Make sure to select the correct airport (SGN, PQC, HAN, DAD, or CXR) in the border gate dropdown. If the dropdown shows an airport that does not match your flight, stop — you may be completing the wrong form or entering incorrect flight data.

!

Incorrect flight code

Select your exact flight code from the dropdown. If your flight is not listed, check that your arrival date is correct first — the system filters flights by date.

!

Vague accommodation address

The form requires Province/City, Ward/Commune, and full address. "A hotel in Ho Chi Minh City" is not accepted. Have your hotel confirmation ready before you start.

!

Wrong visa type selected

The Visa Type dropdown has many options (E-Visa, exemption, bilateral, etc.). Selecting the wrong category can cause a mismatch with immigration records. Match it exactly to your entry document.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Most common questions about the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Form — answered by Quỳnh Đỗ.
A mandatory digital immigration form introduced on April 15, 2026 for all foreign passport holders arriving at Tan Son Nhat (SGN). Extended to Phu Quoc (PQC) on June 1, Noi Bai/Hanoi (HAN) on June 8, Da Nang (DAD) on June 15, and Cam Ranh (CXR) in June 2026. It is free to complete at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn and takes approximately 10 minutes.
The form is required at SGN (since April 15, 2026), PQC (since June 1), HAN — Noi Bai, Hanoi (since June 8), DAD — Da Nang (since June 15, 2026), and CXR — Cam Ranh, Nha Trang (since June 2026). It does not currently apply to other Vietnamese airports such as Cat Bi (HPH).
You must submit within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in Vietnam. Ideally complete it 3–5 days before travel. The system locks once the window closes — there is no workaround at the airport. Do not attempt to fill it earlier as your flight code will not appear in the dropdown.
The form accepts various entry documents, including the E-Visa, sticker visa, bilateral/unilateral exemption, visa exemption certificate, ABTC, travel card, and permanent/temporary residence cards. Simply select the option from the dropdown that matches your specific entry document.
Yes, the form includes an "Add Passenger +" button, which allows you to include multiple travelers on a single submission. However, each passenger still needs their own complete personal and travel details entered accurately.
If you fail to submit the form before travel, your airline may flag you at check-in or deny boarding. There is no workaround at the airport — the portal locks once the 72-hour window passes. Ensure the form is submitted in advance to avoid delays or denied entry.
No — they are two separate documents. The Vietnam Health Declaration 2026 is a new mandatory health monitoring form introduced under Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP, effective July 1, 2026. Unlike the Pre-Arrival Form (which currently applies to SGN, PQC, HAN, DAD, and CXR arrivals), the Health Declaration is required for all travelers crossing any Vietnamese border — including airports, land crossings, and sea ports. Check the official Vietnam Ministry of Health channels for the submission portal and current instructions.
Ready to apply?

Have Everything Ready? Start Your Pre-Arrival Form.

Takes around 10 minutes. Free to fill. Submit within 72 hours of your arrival in Vietnam.

Start My Application

You will be redirected to the official Vietnam government portal. Independent guidance service — not the Vietnamese government.

Quỳnh Đỗ
Quỳnh Đỗ
Vietnam Immigration Documentation Specialist · 1,500+ travelers assisted · LL.B. HCMC University of Law