Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form 2026: Free Digital Arrival Card Guide
Since 2026, Vietnam has introduced a new online entry form for foreign travelers arriving by air: the Vietnam Pre-Arrival form. This free digital arrival card, also known as the Pre-Arrival Information form or PAI declaration, generates a QR code that may be checked by immigration officers when you land.
In this guide, you’ll find out who needs to complete the form, which airports it applies to, when to submit it and how to fill it out step by step, so you can arrive in Vietnam prepared and avoid last-minute stress.
Written by Oliver PHUNG (Tour Guide)
Updated on Jun 22, 2026
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Oliver Phung is a Northern Vietnam-based tour guide and blogger. His favorite topics to write about include cuisine, culture, travel, and under-the-radar experiences. Oliver possesses a deep, detailed understanding of the region, from the indigenous culture of the Hmong in the Northwest to the highland lifestyle of the Tay in the Northeast. Whether he is exploring ancient architecture or geological landscapes, he is always eager to share his insights with his readers.
Beyond his work at Kampá Tour, he produces specialized travel content on platforms such as Reddit, Instagram, LinkedIn, and various other publications.
A free online immigration declaration before arrival
Other names
Vietnam Digital Arrival Card, Pre-Arrival Information, PAI form, Vietnam arrival declaration
Is it free?
Yes, on the official Vietnam Immigration portal
When to submit?
Within 72 hours before arrival
What do you receive?
A QR code and a confirmation document
Does it replace a visa?
No
Who must complete it?
Foreign travelers entering Vietnam by air
Which airports require it?
From June 15, 2026, it applies to international air arrivals at all Vietnamese airports
Main risk
Paid third-party websites or choosing the wrong visa type
Local note: Since June 15, 2026, foreign travelers arriving in Vietnam by international flight should complete the Pre-Arrival form before landing. This includes arrivals at major airports such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Cam Ranh, Hai Phong and other Vietnamese airports receiving international flights.
What Is The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form?
The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form is an online declaration that foreign travelers complete before entering Vietnam. It collects basic information about your passport, flight, travel purpose, visa status and first accommodation in Vietnam.
After submission, the system generates a QR code. You should save this QR code on your phone and keep a copy of the confirmation document in case immigration officers ask for it on arrival.
This system is also known as:
Vietnam Digital Arrival Card
Vietnam Arrival Card online
Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information
PAI declaration
Vietnam arrival declaration
Pre-arrival immigration declaration
In simple words, it is the digital version of an arrival card. It helps immigration officers receive your information before you land, which may reduce waiting time at the airport.
Is The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form Mandatory?
Yes. As of the latest update available to our team, from June 15, 2026, foreign travelers entering Vietnam by international flight should complete the online Pre-Arrival form before arrival, regardless of the airport they land at.
The system was first introduced at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City in April 2026, then expanded in stages to other airports. From June 15, 2026, travelers should treat the Pre-Arrival declaration as a standard entry step for international air arrivals in Vietnam.
You should complete the form if you are:
Entering Vietnam with a foreign passport
Arriving on an international flight
Entering with an e-visa, visa, visa exemption or residence card
An overseas Vietnamese traveler entering with a foreign passport and valid visa
The form usually does not apply to:
Vietnamese passport holders
Transit passengers who remain airside and do not pass through immigration
Even if your airline does not remind you, it is safer to complete the form within 72 hours before arrival and save the QR code offline before your flight.
Which Vietnam Airports Require The Pre-Arrival Form?
From June 15, 2026, foreign travelers entering Vietnam by international flight should complete the Pre-Arrival form for all Vietnamese airports receiving international arrivals.
Yes. The Vietnam Digital Arrival Card is free when submitted through the official Vietnam Immigration portal.
Be careful with third-party websites that charge a service fee for something you can do yourself for free. Some websites may look official, but they are not government portals. Avoid any website that asks for unnecessary card details or promises to “guarantee” entry.
Important: The Pre-Arrival form is only an immigration declaration. It does not approve your visa, does not replace your e-visa and does not guarantee entry if your travel document is not valid.
When Should You Submit The Form?
You should submit the Vietnam Pre-Arrival form within 72 hours before your arrival in Vietnam.
Do not complete it too early, because the date window may not be open yet. Do not leave it until the last minute either, because you may need time to correct information, upload passport details or save the QR code.
A safe timing is:
2 to 3 days before arrival: prepare your documents
24 to 48 hours before arrival: complete the form
Before boarding: check that the QR code is saved offline
What You Need Before Filling Out The Form
Before starting, prepare these details:
Passport used for entering Vietnam
Arrival date
Flight number
Arrival airport
Visa, e-visa, visa exemption or residence card information
First hotel or accommodation address in Vietnam
Email address
Phone number with country code
A clear passport photo or scan, if needed
Local note: The accommodation address should be complete. If you stay at a hotel, copy the full address from your hotel confirmation or Google Maps, including city, district and ward if available.
How To Complete The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form Step By Step
Step 1: Open The Official Vietnam Immigration Portal
You may need to complete a CAPTCHA code before accessing the form.
Step 2: Choose Your Passport Nationality
Select the nationality of the passport you will use to enter Vietnam.
This is important because your passport nationality determines the visa options shown in the next steps. Choose the nationality printed on your passport, not the country where you currently live.
For example, if you live in Canada but travel with a British passport, select United Kingdom. If you live in Australia but travel with a New Zealand passport, select New Zealand.
Step 3: Enter Passenger Information
Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport.
This may include:
Full name
Date of birth
Passport number
Nationality
Gender
Phone number
Email address
If the system allows passport upload, use a clear image of the passport identity page. It may help the system fill some information automatically, but you should still check every detail carefully.
Step 4: Choose The Correct Visa Type
This is one of the most important steps.
Select the visa type that matches your actual entry document:
Your situation
Option to choose
You enter Vietnam visa-free by nationality
Visa exemption by country
You already have a Vietnam e-visa
Electronic Visa, E-Visa
You have a visa issued by an embassy or consulate
Visa
You enter Phu Quoc under Phu Quoc visa exemption
Phu Quoc Visa Exemption
You have a temporary or permanent residence card
Residence Card
Then check the box "I have read and understood this information" before continuing.
Common mistake: Do not choose e-visa if you are actually entering with visa exemption. Do not choose visa exemption if you already applied for and received an e-visa.
Step 5: Add Your Travel Information
Enter your travel details, including:
Date of arrival
Flight number
Arrival airport
Purpose of visit
Mode of travel
Country of departure before Vietnam
First accommodation in Vietnam
For “country of departure before Vietnam”, use the country of your last flight before entering Vietnam, not necessarily your home country.
Example:
If you fly from London to Ho Chi Minh City with a layover in Singapore, enter Singapore as your country of departure before Vietnam.
Step 6: Review Everything Carefully
Before submitting, check every detail again:
Passport number
Full name
Date of birth
Arrival date
Flight number
Visa type
Email address
Hotel address
Small mistakes can create stress at immigration, especially if your passport number or visa type is wrong.
Step 7: Submit And Save Your QR Code
After submission, the system should generate a QR code and a confirmation document.
Save both of them:
Screenshot the QR code
Download the PDF confirmation
Email the document to yourself
Keep a copy offline on your phone
This is useful because your mobile data may not work immediately when you land in Vietnam.
Step 8: Show The QR Code At Immigration If Requested
When you arrive in Vietnam, keep these documents ready:
Passport
Visa, e-visa or proof of visa exemption if required
Boarding pass or flight information
Pre-Arrival QR code
Hotel address
Immigration officers may or may not ask to see the QR code, but having it ready can make the process smoother.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Many travelers do not have a problem with the form itself. The problem is usually choosing the wrong information.
Avoid these common mistakes:
1. Using a paid third-party website
The official Pre-Arrival declaration is free. Be careful with websites that charge unnecessary fees.
2. Choosing the wrong nationality
Use the nationality of the passport you will present at immigration.
3. Confusing residence country with passport country
Your country of residence is not always your passport nationality.
4. Choosing the wrong visa type
E-visa, visa exemption, visa and residence card are different entry situations.
5. Entering the wrong departure country
For connecting flights, enter the last country you depart from before Vietnam.
6. Not saving the QR code offline
Airport Wi-Fi or mobile data may not work immediately when you land.
7. Thinking the form replaces the visa
It does not. You still need to meet Vietnam’s visa rules.
8. Filling it too early or too late
The form should normally be completed within 72 hours before arrival.
Does The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form Replace A Visa?
No. The Vietnam Pre-Arrival form does not replace a visa.
It is only an arrival declaration. If your nationality requires a Vietnam e-visa or visa, you must apply for it separately before traveling. If your nationality is eligible for visa exemption, you should still check the allowed length of stay and entry conditions.
Think of it this way:
Document
Purpose
Visa, e-visa or visa exemption
Gives you the legal basis to enter Vietnam
Pre-Arrival form
Provides your arrival information to immigration before you land
You may need both, depending on your nationality and travel situation.
What If You Already Have A Vietnam E-Visa?
If you already have a Vietnam e-visa, you still need to complete the Pre-Arrival form before entering Vietnam by international flight.
When filling out the form, choose the e-visa option and make sure your passport details match your e-visa exactly.
Keep both documents ready:
Your Vietnam e-visa
Your Pre-Arrival QR code
The QR code is not a substitute for the e-visa.
What If You Are Visa-Exempt?
If your nationality allows visa-free entry to Vietnam, you still need to complete the Pre-Arrival form before entering Vietnam by international flight.
In the visa section, choose the visa exemption option that matches your situation. Then keep proof of your onward travel and hotel booking available, especially if requested by airline staff or immigration officers.
Can You Submit One Form For A Family Or Group?
In many cases, the form allows you to add more than one passenger. Each traveler must still have their own passport information entered correctly.
For families, prepare all passports before starting. Check each person’s name, date of birth and passport number carefully before submitting.
Local note: For parents traveling with children, save all QR codes in one folder on your phone and email the documents to yourself. This avoids confusion at the airport.
What About Transit Passengers?
If you are only transiting through Vietnam and do not pass through immigration, the Pre-Arrival form is usually not required.
However, if you need to collect luggage, change terminals, re-check in or enter Vietnam before your next flight, you may pass through immigration. In that case, complete the Pre-Arrival form before arrival to avoid delays.
Is The Pre-Arrival Form The Same As The Health Declaration?
No. The Pre-Arrival form and the health declaration are different.
The Pre-Arrival form is related to immigration and border control. A health declaration, if required for your travel date, is related to public health monitoring.
If you travel to Vietnam after July 1, 2026, check whether an additional health declaration applies to your trip. Do not confuse it with the Pre-Arrival QR code.
Before You Fly: Final Checklist
Before boarding your flight to Vietnam, make sure you have:
Passport valid for your trip
Vietnam visa, e-visa or visa exemption checked
Pre-Arrival QR code saved offline
Confirmation PDF downloaded
First hotel address saved
Flight number checked
Arrival airport checked
Copies emailed to yourself
Phone charged before landing
This simple checklist can save you time and stress at immigration.
FAQ About The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form
What is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card?
It is an online arrival declaration for foreign travelers entering Vietnam. After completing it, you receive a QR code that can be checked by immigration officers.
Is the Vietnam arrival card free?
Yes. It is free on the official Vietnam Immigration portal. Avoid third-party websites that charge unnecessary fees.
What is the official website for the Vietnam Pre-Arrival form?
After submission, you should be able to save or download the confirmation document and QR code. Keep them offline on your phone.
Do I need the form if I already have an e-visa?
Yes. If you enter Vietnam by international flight, you should complete the Pre-Arrival form even if you already have an e-visa. The form does not replace your e-visa.
Do visa-exempt travelers need to complete it?
Yes. Visa-exempt travelers entering Vietnam by international flight should complete the Pre-Arrival form. Visa exemption and Pre-Arrival declaration are two different things.
Can I submit one form for my family?
You may be able to add several passengers in one submission, but each traveler’s passport details must be entered correctly.
What country of departure should I enter if I have a layover?
Enter the country of your last flight before Vietnam. For example, if you fly London, Doha, Hanoi, enter Qatar as the departure country before Vietnam.
Do I need the Pre-Arrival form for Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc?
Yes. From June 15, 2026, foreign travelers entering Vietnam by international flight should complete the Pre-Arrival form before landing, regardless of their arrival airport. This includes Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc and other international airports in Vietnam.
What happens if I arrive without the Pre-Arrival QR code?
You may face delays at immigration or be asked to complete the declaration before proceeding. To avoid stress after landing, complete the form within 72 hours before arrival and save the QR code offline on your phone.
Is the Pre-Arrival form the same as the old NA1 form?
No. The Pre-Arrival form is the new online arrival declaration. The NA1 form is a separate document mainly linked to visa-on-arrival or other immigration procedures.
Is the Pre-Arrival form the same as a visa?
No. The Pre-Arrival form is not a visa. It is only an immigration declaration. You still need a valid visa, e-visa or visa exemption depending on your nationality and length of stay.
Conclusion
The Vietnam Pre-Arrival form is not difficult, but it is easy to confuse with a visa, e-visa or health declaration.
The safest approach is simple: check your visa first, complete the Pre-Arrival form within 72 hours before arrival, save your QR code offline and use only the official Vietnam Immigration portal.
For a smoother first day in Vietnam, prepare your arrival documents before your flight. That way, when you land, you can focus less on paperwork and more on starting your trip.
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