If you are travelling to Vietnam in 2026, there is now one more thing to do before your flight: the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information declaration, often called the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card or simply the Vietnam Arrival Card.
The system is relatively new, and this is exactly why there is so much confusion around it. Travellers are asking whether it is mandatory, who needs to complete it, whether it replaces the Vietnam e-visa, when the form should be submitted, what information is required, what happens after submission and whether you need to pay anything.
The short answer is simple: if you are a foreign traveller entering Vietnam through one of the international airports currently covered by the system, you should complete the declaration before you arrive.
The official system is operated by the Vietnam Immigration Department and is available at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
This guide explains the entire process, step by step, including what to prepare, how to avoid common mistakes and what the QR code means when you arrive at Vietnamese immigration.
Quick Answer: What Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card?
The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card is an online declaration that allows foreign passengers to submit their personal, visa and travel information to Vietnamese immigration before entering the country.
After you complete the declaration successfully, the system generates a QR code. You should save this QR code on your phone or print it and keep it available for your arrival at the airport.
The system is designed to allow immigration authorities to receive and process passenger information before the traveller reaches the immigration counter.
It is important to understand that the Pre-Arrival Card is not a visa.
It does not replace the Vietnam e-visa and it does not give you permission to enter Vietnam if you otherwise need a visa.
Think of it as an additional digital immigration declaration that comes before the actual border-control procedure.
Do You Need the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card in 2026?
Yes, if you are a foreign passport holder arriving through an airport where the PAI system is currently required.
As of 2026, the system covers the following international airports:
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport — Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
- Noi Bai International Airport — Hanoi (HAN)
- Phu Quoc International Airport — Phu Quoc (PQC)
- Cam Ranh International Airport — Nha Trang area (CXR)
Vietnamese citizens travelling on Vietnamese passports do not need to complete the foreign-passenger declaration.
Transit passengers who remain in the international transit area and do not pass Vietnamese immigration are also not included in the requirement.
The system was first introduced at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on April 15, 2026, and Vietnam has been expanding it to additional international airports. The Vietnam Immigration Department says the system is part of a wider digitalisation of immigration procedures.
If you are flying into Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc or the Nha Trang area through Cam Ranh Airport, completing the declaration before your trip is the sensible option.
Who Needs to Complete the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration?
The current airport implementation applies primarily to:
- Foreign passport holders entering Vietnam
- Overseas Vietnamese entering Vietnam with a valid visa
It does not apply in the same way to:
- Vietnamese citizens travelling with Vietnamese passports
- Passengers who are only transiting through Vietnam and do not pass immigration
One important point is that visa-free travellers are not automatically excluded.
The Pre-Arrival Information declaration and the visa system are two separate things. You can be legally exempt from needing a visa and still have to provide your pre-arrival information.
Does the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card Replace the E-Visa?
No.
This is probably the most important thing to understand.
| Requirement | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vietnam e-visa | Provides visa authorisation for travellers who need a visa |
| Visa exemption | Allows eligible nationalities to enter Vietnam without a visa for the permitted period |
| Pre-Arrival Information | Collects passenger, visa and travel information before arrival |
| QR code | Confirmation generated after successfully submitting the pre-arrival declaration |
If you need an e-visa, you still need to obtain it separately.
If you are not sure whether you need one, start with our Do I Need a Visa for Vietnam? guide.
If you do need a visa, our Vietnam E-Visa Guide explains the separate application process.
Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card Free?
Yes.
The official Pre-Arrival Information declaration is provided through the Vietnamese Immigration Department’s government website and does not require a payment to submit the form.
This is particularly important because the introduction of the new system has already led to fake websites appearing online.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has specifically warned travellers about websites impersonating the official PAI system and attempting to obtain payment or credit-card information.
The official website is:
Check the domain carefully before entering your passport information.
You should not have to pay a private company simply to submit the official Vietnamese immigration declaration.
When Should You Complete the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card?
The official system allows travellers to submit the declaration within three days before entering Vietnam.
In other words, do not complete it weeks before your holiday.
The best time is usually one or two days before arrival, when your flight details and accommodation are already confirmed.
For example, if you arrive in Vietnam on Saturday, you can complete the declaration during the three-day period immediately before your arrival.
Doing it before your flight is much more convenient than trying to deal with it after landing.
What Information Do You Need?
Have the following information ready before you start:
- Your passport
- Full name exactly as shown in your passport
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Contact information
- Email address
- Visa or visa-exemption information
- Flight number
- Airline information
- Expected arrival date
- Arrival airport
- Purpose of your trip
- Accommodation information in Vietnam
The exact layout and fields can change as the system is updated, so do not worry if the form looks slightly different from screenshots published several months ago.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card
Step 1: Open the Official Website
Go directly to the official Vietnam Immigration Department website:
Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information Portal
Do not search for a random “Vietnam Arrival Card” website and assume it is official.
The government domain is prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
Step 2: Choose Your Language
The system provides multiple language options.
If you are not comfortable with Vietnamese, select English before starting the declaration.
Step 3: Select the Pre-Arrival Declaration
Choose the option to create and submit a new pre-arrival declaration.
The system will ask you to complete the verification step before allowing you to enter your information.
Step 4: Enter Your Personal Information
Use your passport as the source of truth.
Your name, passport number, nationality and date of birth should match your travel document.
Do not use a nickname or a shortened version of your name.
If your passport uses a particular spelling, use that spelling.
Step 5: Enter Your Visa Information
This section depends on how you are entering Vietnam.
If you have a Vietnam e-visa, use the information from your e-visa.
If you are entering under a visa exemption, select the appropriate visa-exemption option provided by the system.
Do not select E-Visa simply because you see a visa section in the form.
If you are visa-free, you do not suddenly need an e-visa because the Pre-Arrival Card exists.
Step 6: Enter Your Flight Information
This is one of the fields you should check particularly carefully.
Enter the flight that actually brings you into Vietnam.
For example, if your itinerary is:
Paris → Doha → Ho Chi Minh City
you should enter the flight arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, not the flight from Paris to Doha.
The Vietnamese Immigration Department specifically reported that incorrect flight information was one of the reasons some declarations failed during the initial implementation.
Step 7: Enter Your Arrival Airport
Select the airport where you actually enter Vietnam and pass immigration.
Examples include:
- SGN — Tan Son Nhat International Airport
- HAN — Noi Bai International Airport
- PQC — Phu Quoc International Airport
- CXR — Cam Ranh International Airport
If you are flying into Ho Chi Minh City and then taking a domestic flight to Da Nang, your international arrival airport is still SGN.
Step 8: Enter Your Accommodation
Use the accommodation where you will stay after arriving in Vietnam.
If you are staying at a hotel, copy the hotel‘s address from your booking confirmation.
You do not need to list every hotel you will use during a two-week trip.
The important thing is to provide the accommodation information requested by the declaration accurately.
If you are still looking for accommodation, you can compare hotels in Vietnam before completing the form.
Step 9: Check Everything
Before submitting the declaration, check:
- Passport number
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Visa information
- Flight number
- Arrival date
- Arrival airport
- Accommodation details
Pay particular attention to the flight number.
Step 10: Submit the Declaration
Once everything is correct, submit the form.
If the declaration is completed successfully, the system generates your QR code.
Step 11: Save Your QR Code
Take a screenshot of the QR code immediately.
Save it somewhere you can access without an internet connection.
You can also print it if you prefer to have a physical backup.
The Immigration Department specifically recommends saving the QR code on your mobile device or printing it for use at the border.
What Does the QR Code Do?
The QR code is connected to the information you submitted through the Pre-Arrival Information system.
When you arrive, immigration officers can use it to access or verify the information you submitted before travelling.
The whole purpose is to move part of the administrative process away from the immigration counter and into the period before your arrival.
It does not mean that you have received immigration approval simply because the QR code was generated.
You still need to present your passport and any visa or other entry documents that apply to you.
Do You Need to Print the QR Code?
No.
A digital copy on your phone is sufficient.
However, a printed copy is a useful backup if your phone battery is dead or you cannot access your files.
Personally, I would simply take a screenshot and keep it in the phone’s photo gallery or another offline location.
What Happens at the Airport?
After landing in Vietnam, you will proceed through the normal immigration process.
If your pre-arrival declaration has already been submitted, the relevant passenger information is already in the system.
You may be asked to show your QR code during the immigration process.
Keep it easily accessible rather than buried somewhere inside your email inbox.
After immigration, you continue to baggage claim and customs as normal.
Can You Complete the Form at the Airport?
The system is designed to be completed before arrival, and that is the option I strongly recommend.
Airport access can be useful as a backup, but there is little reason to wait until you have landed.
You may have to deal with airport Wi-Fi, a dead phone battery, a crowded immigration area or a long queue of other passengers trying to complete the same procedure.
Doing it from your hotel or home before the flight is much easier.
What Happens If You Forget to Complete It?
Do not panic.
If you arrive without having completed the declaration, follow the instructions provided by immigration or airport staff.
However, you should not deliberately leave it until arrival.
The whole purpose of the system is to provide the information before you reach the border.
If you are travelling through one of the covered airports, completing the declaration before your flight is the simplest way to avoid unnecessary delays.
What If Your Flight Number Changes?
If your airline changes your flight after you have submitted the declaration, check the official PAI portal again.
The official website provides a function for looking up and updating a submitted declaration.
Do not assume that the original flight information is automatically updated.
This is particularly important because the Immigration Department has identified incorrect flight information as a common reason for unsuccessful declarations during the initial rollout.
What If Your Hotel Changes?
If your accommodation changes after submitting the form, check whether the information can be updated through the official portal.
If you have not submitted the form yet, simply use the accommodation where you will actually stay.
There is no reason to invent a hotel address just because you have not finalised your itinerary yet.
What If You Are Travelling Around Vietnam?
You do not need to panic about having a complicated itinerary.
For example, imagine that your trip is:
Ho Chi Minh City → Vung Tau → Nha Trang → Da Nang → Hoi An → Hanoi
Your Pre-Arrival declaration concerns your entry into Vietnam.
You are not completing a separate immigration declaration for every city you visit.
For your first accommodation, use the information relevant to your arrival and initial stay.
Once you have passed immigration, you can travel around Vietnam normally.
If you are planning a longer trip, our Vietnam Transport Guide explains the main ways to move between cities.
What If You Are Flying to Ho Chi Minh City and Then Connecting to Another City?
This is very common.
For example:
Bangkok → Ho Chi Minh City → Nha Trang
Your international entry into Vietnam takes place in Ho Chi Minh City.
You pass immigration at Tan Son Nhat Airport before taking the domestic flight to Nha Trang.
Therefore, the relevant arrival airport for your entry declaration is SGN.
Your domestic flight to Cam Ranh is a separate part of your journey.
What About Transit Passengers?
If you are simply connecting through Vietnam and remain inside the international transit area without passing Vietnamese immigration, the PAI requirement does not apply in the same way.
For example, a passenger flying through a Vietnamese airport who never formally enters Vietnam is in a different situation from a passenger who leaves the transit area, collects baggage or passes immigration.
If your connection requires you to enter Vietnam, follow the requirements applicable to passengers entering the country.
What About Visa-Free Travellers?
This is one of the most common questions.
Suppose your passport allows you to enter Vietnam without a visa for the permitted period.
You do not need to obtain an e-visa just because you are completing the Pre-Arrival Information declaration.
Instead, select the relevant visa-exemption category in the form.
The important distinction is:
Visa-free entry answers the question “Do I need a visa?”
Pre-Arrival Information answers the question “What information should immigration receive before I arrive?”
These are separate processes.
What About E-Visa Holders?
If you are travelling to Vietnam on an e-visa, complete the PAI declaration using your actual e-visa information.
Do not submit the Pre-Arrival Card instead of obtaining the e-visa.
You need both where both are applicable.
If you are planning your first trip to Vietnam, our Vietnam for First-Timers guide brings together the main things you should organise before departure.
What About Children?
Children travelling on their own passports should have their own passenger information entered according to the requirements of the system.
Use the child’s passport details rather than the parent’s passport number.
For a family trip, it is worth having every passport, flight booking and hotel reservation available before starting the declarations.
What About Business Travellers?
The PAI system is not exclusively for tourists.
Foreign nationals entering Vietnam for business or other purposes may also fall within the applicable passenger categories.
When asked for the purpose of entry, provide the information that actually corresponds to your trip.
Do not select tourism simply because it is the easiest option if your actual purpose of travel is different.
What If You Enter Vietnam More Than Once?
If you have a multiple-entry visa and leave Vietnam before returning, treat each new arrival as a new journey.
Your arrival date, flight number and accommodation may be different.
Do not assume that one previous declaration covers all future entries.
Common Mistakes When Completing the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card
1. Using the wrong flight number
Use the flight that actually arrives in Vietnam.
2. Using the departure date instead of the arrival date
If your flight crosses midnight, check the actual date on which you land in Vietnam.
3. Choosing the wrong airport
Choose the airport where you pass Vietnamese immigration.
4. Selecting E-Visa when you are visa-free
If you are entering under a visa exemption, select the appropriate exemption option.
5. Entering a hotel you are not actually staying at
Use the accommodation information relevant to your arrival.
6. Completing the declaration too early
The official system is designed for the three-day period before entry.
7. Forgetting to save the QR code
Take a screenshot immediately after successful submission.
8. Using a third-party website
Always check that you are using the official government domain.
How to Avoid Fake Vietnam Arrival Card Websites
This deserves its own section because the Vietnamese authorities have specifically warned travellers about fraudulent websites pretending to be the official PAI system.
The official portal is:
The important part of the address is immigration.gov.vn.
Do not assume that a website is official because it uses words such as:
- Vietnam Arrival Card
- Vietnam Immigration
- Vietnam Entry Form
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival
A commercial website can use those words too.
If the website asks you for a credit card simply to submit the government declaration, stop and check the domain.
The official Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has warned that fake PAI websites have been detected.
Is the Pre-Arrival Card the Same as a Customs Declaration?
No.
The Pre-Arrival Information system is an immigration-related passenger declaration.
It should not be confused with customs procedures that may apply to particular goods or travellers.
Completing the PAI declaration does not mean that you have automatically completed every other requirement at the Vietnamese border.
Is the Pre-Arrival Card the Same as a Health Declaration?
No.
Health-related entry requirements, if applicable, are separate from the immigration PAI system.
The PAI declaration concerns passenger, visa and travel information submitted to immigration.
Does the QR Code Guarantee Entry?
No.
The QR code confirms that you have successfully submitted the pre-arrival information.
It does not guarantee that you will be admitted to Vietnam.
You still need to meet the immigration requirements applicable to your nationality and circumstances.
If you require a visa, you still need the correct visa.
Vietnamese immigration officers retain the authority to conduct the border-control procedure when you arrive.
Why Did Vietnam Introduce the Pre-Arrival System?
The main idea is simple: collect passenger information before the traveller reaches the immigration counter.
Vietnam receives millions of international visitors, and immigration queues can become particularly long at major airports during busy arrival periods.
The Immigration Department says the PAI system is intended to reduce waiting time, reduce administrative work at the border and support the country’s broader digital transformation of aviation and immigration procedures.
The initial pilot at Tan Son Nhat Airport produced more than 161,000 submitted declarations during its first 15 days, with nearly 120,000 successfully completed.
The Immigration Department also reported that many unsuccessful submissions were caused by mistakes in passenger information, particularly flight numbers and flight-record data.
How Long Does the Form Take?
If you already have your documents ready, the declaration should not take very long.
The easiest way to make it slow is to start the form without your passport, flight booking and hotel reservation in front of you.
Before you begin, have these four things ready:
- Your passport
- Your flight booking
- Your first hotel booking
- Your visa or visa-exemption information
Then you can simply copy the required information instead of searching for it while completing the form.
Should You Complete It on Your Phone or Computer?
Either is fine.
A computer can be more convenient if you are copying information from flight and hotel reservations.
A phone is convenient because you will already have the QR code on the same device you will carry through the airport.
If you complete it on a computer, simply save the QR code to your phone afterwards.
What Should You Do After Getting the QR Code?
Keep the QR code accessible until you have passed immigration.
My recommendation is:
- Take a screenshot.
- Save it offline.
- Keep your passport nearby.
- Keep your visa or e-visa accessible if applicable.
- Do not delete the QR code until immigration is complete.
You can also print the QR code as a backup.
Vietnam Entry Checklist for 2026
Before leaving for the airport, check the following:
| Check | Done? |
|---|---|
| Passport | ✓ |
| Vietnam visa or visa exemption | ✓ |
| Flight booking | ✓ |
| First accommodation in Vietnam | ✓ |
| Pre-Arrival Information declaration | ✓ |
| QR code saved offline | ✓ |
| Travel insurance | Recommended |
If you want a broader checklist for preparing your trip, see our Vietnam Packing List and Vietnam Travel Insurance Guide.
Should You Complete the PAI Even If Nobody Asked You for It?
Yes, if your arrival falls under the current PAI implementation.
Online reports from travellers can be confusing because the system has been introduced gradually and its implementation has changed over time.
One traveller may report that nobody checked the QR code.
Another may say that an officer asked for it immediately.
That does not mean the system is irrelevant.
The practical approach is much simpler: if you are arriving through a covered international airport, complete the declaration before your trip and keep the QR code.
It is free, it takes only a few minutes and it removes an unnecessary variable from your arrival.
What If the Official Website Is Not Working?
First, make sure you are actually using the official website:
If the page does not work, try:
- Refreshing the page
- Using another browser
- Using a computer instead of a phone
- Trying again later
- Checking that you are within the three-day submission window
Do not immediately move to a paid third-party website simply because the official portal is temporarily slow.
Can You Update Your Declaration?
Yes. The official PAI portal provides a function for looking up and updating a previously submitted declaration.
This is particularly useful if your flight information changes after you have completed the form.
If your airline changes your flight number, check the declaration again rather than assuming that the original information will remain correct.
Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card: The Most Important Things to Remember
- It is an immigration pre-arrival declaration.
- It is not a visa.
- It does not replace the e-visa.
- Visa-free travellers can still be subject to the declaration.
- The current implementation covers SGN, HAN, PQC and CXR for applicable foreign passengers.
- You should complete it within three days before entering Vietnam.
- You receive a QR code after successful submission.
- You can save the QR code on your phone or print it.
- Check your flight number very carefully.
- Use only the official government website.
- The official service is free.
Final Verdict
The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card sounds more complicated than it actually is.
In reality, it is simply another step that Vietnam has added to the entry process as immigration procedures become increasingly digital.
The most important thing is not to confuse it with the visa.
If you need a visa, get your e-visa separately.
If you are visa-exempt, use your visa-exemption status when completing the declaration.
Then, within three days before your arrival, submit the Pre-Arrival Information through the official government website and save the QR code.
If you are flying into Vietnam soon, I would not wait until you land to figure this out. Spend a few minutes completing the form before your flight, save the QR code offline and forget about it until you reach immigration.
That is considerably easier than trying to work it out after a long international flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card?
It is an online Pre-Arrival Information declaration used to submit passenger, visa and travel information to Vietnamese immigration before arrival.
Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card mandatory?
The current implementation requires applicable foreign passengers entering through covered international airports to complete the pre-arrival declaration. The system was initially introduced as a pilot at Tan Son Nhat Airport and has since been expanded.
Which airports currently use the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card?
The current implementation covers Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Phu Quoc International Airport and Cam Ranh International Airport for applicable foreign passengers.
Do visa-free travellers need the Pre-Arrival Card?
Visa exemption and the Pre-Arrival Information declaration are separate matters. If the PAI requirement applies to your arrival, being visa-free does not by itself remove the declaration requirement.
Does the Pre-Arrival Card replace the Vietnam e-visa?
No. If you need an e-visa, you still need to obtain it separately.
How early can I complete the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card?
The official Immigration Department says the declaration can be submitted within three days before entering Vietnam.
How much does the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card cost?
The official declaration is free.
Where is the official Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card website?
The official website is prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
Do I need to print the QR code?
No. You can save it on your phone, although printing a backup is also possible.
What flight number should I enter?
Use the flight that actually arrives in Vietnam and takes you through Vietnamese immigration, not an earlier connecting flight.
What happens if my flight changes?
Use the official PAI portal’s lookup and update function to check or update your declaration.
Can I complete the form after landing?
The system is intended to be completed before arrival. Airport-based access may be available, but completing it before your flight is the much better option.
Do transit passengers need the declaration?
Passengers who remain in the international transit area and do not pass Vietnamese immigration are not included in the same way as passengers entering Vietnam.
Does the QR code guarantee entry into Vietnam?
No. The QR code confirms your pre-arrival declaration. You must still satisfy the normal immigration and visa requirements applicable to your trip.
Build your Vietnam route — free.
