Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card: Vietnam Digital Entry Declaration

This guide breaks down exactly what it is, who needs it, when to submit it, and how it differs from two other Vietnam entry documents that travelers frequently confuse it with.

What Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card?

The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card — officially called the Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) declaration — is an online form submitted before you fly to Vietnam. Once completed, it generates a QR code that immigration officers scan on arrival, replacing manual data entry at the counter. It's administered directly by Vietnam's Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh).

It's worth noting upfront: this is a genuinely different document from the NA1 entry/exit form and from Vietnam's separate Health Declaration. We'll untangle all three later in this guide, since mixing them up is one of the most common mistakes travelers make.

Pre-Arrival Card at a Glance

How the System Was Rolled Out

The Pre-Arrival Information system launched as a pilot at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City on April 15, 2026. During its first 15 days, it recorded over 161,000 registrations. From there, the requirement expanded in stages: Phu Quoc from June 1, 2026, Hanoi and Da Nang from June 15, 2026, and Cam Ranh from June 22, 2026.

Because this system is still expanding, airport coverage may look different by the time you travel. Land and sea border crossings aren't part of it yet — those still use the separate NA1 form, covered further down.

Who Needs to Submit a Pre-Arrival Card

If you're flying into one of the airports listed above, the requirement applies to you if you're:

• A foreign passport holder — regardless of whether you're visa-exempt, hold an e-visa, or are using Visa on Arrival
• An Overseas Vietnamese (Việt Kiều) entering on a visa

The requirement is tied to your arrival airport, not your nationality or visa type. Even travelers from visa-exempt countries need to complete it if they're landing at a covered airport.

Exemptions From Submission

You don't need to submit a Pre-Arrival Card if you're:

• A Vietnamese citizen traveling on a Vietnamese passport
• Transiting airside without passing through immigration
• Connecting domestically within Vietnam (for example, flying from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City on a purely domestic leg)

Is There a Fee?

No. Submitting the Pre-Arrival Card through the official government portal is completely free. There's no charge for the declaration itself or for receiving your QR code.

That said, this is a genuinely new system with a narrow submission window, three easily confused entry documents, and reported access issues on the official portal. If you'd rather have someone double-check your entries against your visa and travel documents before you submit, our assisted-filing service is available as an optional convenience — never a requirement.

When to Submit: The 72-Hour Window

The Pre-Arrival Card can only be submitted within 72 hours before your arrival — not earlier, and ideally not right at the last minute either. If you're landing on June 2, for instance, you generally can't submit before around May 30.

Watch Out for the E-Visa Validity Overlap

Here's a wrinkle that catches travelers off guard: your submission date must also fall within your visa or e-visa's validity period. If your e-visa's validity only begins on your arrival date, you may not be able to submit any earlier than the day of travel itself — even though the window technically allows 72 hours. Check your visa's exact start date against your arrival date before assuming you have the full three days to work with.

Where and How to Submit

The declaration is submitted entirely online at the official portal, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. There's no confirmed separate mobile app for this process — the web portal, accessible from any browser including on your phone, is the sole official channel.

Common Access Issues and How to Avoid Them

Some travelers have reported the portal becoming overloaded or refusing to connect, particularly during busy periods. If this happens, clearing your browser cookies and retrying usually works. The best safeguard is simply submitting well before your departure date, rather than attempting it at the airport under time pressure.

Information You'll Need Before You Start

Before you sit down to complete the form, have the following ready:

• Full name, exactly as it appears on your passport
• Passport number, nationality, date of birth, and gender
• Visa details: type, number, issue date, and expiry date
• Flight details: airline, flight number, and arrival date
• Departure location and purpose of entry
• Accommodation address in Vietnam
• Intended departure date from Vietnam

Traveling with family? You can add them to the same declaration rather than filing separately.

Choosing the Correct Visa Type

This dropdown trips up a lot of travelers. If your country has a bilateral visa-exemption agreement with Vietnam, select "bilateral exemption." If you're visa-exempt under Vietnam's own unilateral policy, select "unilateral exemption" instead. E-visa holders and temporary residence card holders have their own separate options. Picking the wrong one is a common — and avoidable — mistake.

Step-by-Step Submission Walkthrough

At the Immigration Counter

On arrival, present your passport, your visa or e-visa documentation, and your Pre-Arrival QR code (digital or printed). The officer scans the code to verify your pre-submitted information and stamps your passport — generally faster than manual data entry.

What Happens If You Don't Submit in Time

Based on available reporting, travelers who arrive without a completed declaration are generally still processed, but should expect noticeably longer waits while their information is entered and verified manually at the counter. Submitting in advance is the way to avoid this — don't count on this leniency as a backup plan.

The Pre-Arrival Card Is Not a Visa

Worth stating clearly: the Pre-Arrival Card is an entry-processing tool, not a visa. If your nationality requires a visa, e-visa, or Visa on Arrival approval, you still need to obtain that separately. The Pre-Arrival Card is an additional step on top of your visa requirement, not a substitute for it.

The Pre-Arrival Card vs. the NA1 Entry/Exit Form

Vietnam also uses a separate document called the NA1 form, which replaced an older form once known as M3. It's a genuinely different process from the Pre-Arrival Card.

Who Needs the NA1 Form Instead

• Visa on Arrival (VOA) travelers, who submit the NA1 form along with their passport, visa approval letter, passport photos, and the VOA stamping fee at the airport counter
• Travelers entering by land or sea, where the Pre-Arrival Information system doesn't yet apply

E-visa holders don't need the NA1 form, since the e-visa itself serves as their entry document. Note that a VOA traveler arriving at a covered airport may need to complete both the Pre-Arrival Card and the NA1/VOA process — they're not interchangeable.

Don't Confuse This With Vietnam's Health Declaration

This is one of the most important distinctions to understand. Vietnam's Decree No. 165/2026/NĐ-CP, in effect since July 1, 2026, created a legal framework allowing a health declaration at border checkpoints — but it's an entirely separate system from the Pre-Arrival Card.

Why the Health Declaration Is Different

The health declaration is run by the Ministry of Health, not the Immigration Department. Per the Ministry's own clarification on June 30, 2026, it does not apply automatically to every traveler — it only activates when the Ministry issues specific guidance naming a disease, affected routes, and a defined period. When it is active, it must be completed within 7 days before entry using a standardized bilingual form. Ordinary tourism arrivals, absent an active outbreak notice, don't need to complete it at all.

Beware of Unofficial Health Declaration Websites

The website tokhaiyte.vn is not the official channel for this or any entry declaration, despite having circulated in earlier reports. The Ministry of Health has stated it is building its own official electronic system, to be announced only once a declaration is actually activated. If you're asked to submit health information at tokhaiyte.vn, treat it with caution.

Other Vietnam Entry Requirements

The Pre-Arrival Card is just one piece of entering Vietnam. Here's what else to keep in mind.

Passport Validity

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have blank pages available.

Visa-Exempt Stay Length

Several nationalities qualify for visa-free entry, with stay lengths that vary by country (45 days has been cited for select nationalities). Visa-exempt travelers arriving at a covered airport still need to complete the Pre-Arrival Card.

Currency Declaration

If you're carrying cash over US $10,000 (or the equivalent), you must declare it to customs on arrival.

Visa on Arrival Stamping Fee

VOA travelers pay a stamping fee in cash at the airport counter — commonly cited around $25 for single entry and $50 for multiple entry — separate from any e-visa application fee paid in advance. Confirm current figures before you travel, as fees can change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions