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 Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) and Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC).
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 Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. 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 SGN.
The requirement currently applies to Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) and, since June 1, 2026, also to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC). Travelers arriving at other Vietnamese airports (Hanoi, Da Nang, etc.) are not yet affected. 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.
Who needs it?
Required ✓
Not Required ×
Does visa status change who needs it?
It is required at SGN 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.
| Nationality | Visa required? | Visa-free stay | Form required at SGN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | No | 30 days (unilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | No | 45 days (unilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | No | 45 days (unilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇫🇷 France | No | 45 days (unilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | No | 45 days (unilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | No | 30 days (bilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | No | 30 days (bilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | No | 30 days (bilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | No | 15 days (unilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | No | 30 days (unilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | No | 30 days (bilateral) | ✓ Yes |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Yes (e-visa) | — | ✓ Yes |
| 🇺🇸 United States | Yes (e-visa) | — | ✓ Yes |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Yes (e-visa) | — | ✓ Yes |
| 🇮🇳 India | Yes (e-visa) | — | ✓ Yes |
Visa-free eligibility changes. Verify your nationality's current status at evisa.gov.vn before travel.
Who Does NOT Need the Pre-Arrival Form?
Other Vietnamese airports
Travelers arriving at Noi Bai (Hanoi / HAN), Da Nang (DAD), Can Tho, and other Vietnamese airports are currently exempt. The requirement covers Tan Son Nhat (SGN) and, since June 1, 2026, Phu Quoc (PQC). This may expand further — 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.
Everything you need to know.
How to complete the Pre-Arrival Form.
Select nationality
Choose your nationality from the dropdown and click Next to start your application at the official portal.
Passenger information
Enter passport details, visa type, contact information, and optionally add family members using "Add Passenger +".
Trip information
Select your flight code, accommodation address in Vietnam, and expected departure date.
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 at SGN.
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.
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.
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 at SGN, not from when you leave home. For example: landing at SGN on May 10 at 08:00 means you can submit from May 7 at 08:00 (GMT+7) onwards.
Errors that cause delays at the airport.
Wrong airport selected
This form is only for Tan Son Nhat (SGN). If your border gate dropdown shows a different airport, 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.
