South Korea is Vietnam's second-largest source of foreign visitors, and travelers here get one of the longest visa-free windows Vietnam offers, 45 days — though that has no bearing on this requirement. This guide covers how the Pre-Arrival Card fits alongside visa-free entry, when to file it, and the mistakes that trip up first-time travelers.
Did you know? South Korean Citizens are Vietnam's second-largest source of foreign visitors — more than 4.33 million arrivals in 2025 — and get one of the longest visa-free windows Vietnam offers, 45 days. — Vietnam's international tourism sees best year in 2025 — Vietnam News
| Quick facts for South Korean travelers | |
|---|---|
| Pre-Arrival declaration | Mandatory for air arrivals — free, submit within 72 hours of arrival |
| Visa to enter Vietnam | Visa-free for up to 45 days |
This is an independent guide, not an official government website. Below, you'll find everything South Korean citizens need to know about the Pre-Arrival Card, plus how we can help you get it right.
File My Vietnam Arrival CardWhat Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration?
The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) declaration is an official online form administered by Vietnam's Immigration Department. You submit your passport, visa, and travel details through the government's own portal — prearrival.immigration.gov.vn — and receive a QR code by email in return. That QR code gets scanned at the immigration counter on arrival, replacing manual data entry and speeding up the process.
It's completely free to submit, and it must be completed within 72 hours before you land — not earlier, and ideally not at the very last minute either, since connectivity issues at the portal have been reported during busy periods.
Pre-Arrival Declaration vs. Vietnam e-Visa — Not the Same Thing
This is where a lot of travelers get tripped up. The Pre-Arrival declaration is not a visa, and it doesn't replace one. If South Korean passport holders are required to obtain a visa, e-visa, or Visa on Arrival approval letter to enter Vietnam, that requirement still stands — the Pre-Arrival Card is an additional step layered on top, not a substitute for it.
Think of it this way: your visa gives you permission to enter Vietnam. The Pre-Arrival Card simply tells Vietnamese immigration who you are and when you're arriving, so they can process you faster at the airport.
Do South Korean Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Vietnam?
South Korean Citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days, one of the longest visa-free windows Vietnam grants to any nationality. Visa-free status removes the need for a visa; it doesn't remove anything else on this list. South Korean Citizens still need to submit the Digital Pre-Arrival Card (or NA1 form, depending on how you're entering) like every other traveler.
Which Form Do South Korean Citizens Need: Digital Pre-Arrival Card or NA1 Form?
The form you need depends on how — not just whether — you're entering Vietnam.
Digital Pre-Arrival Card (Air Arrivals)
If South Korean Citizens are flying into Vietnam, you'll need to submit the Digital Pre-Arrival Card — as of June 2026, the system covers every international airport in the country, not just the handful it first launched at. This applies whether you're visa-exempt, holding an e-visa, or using Visa on Arrival. Arriving by air is what triggers the requirement, not your visa type alone.
NA1 Form (Visa on Arrival, Land & Sea Entry)
The NA1 form is a separate, older entry/exit declaration. It's specifically required if:
- You're using Visa on Arrival (VOA) — in which case you submit the NA1 form along with your passport, approval letter, photos, and stamping fee at the airport VOA counter.
- You're entering Vietnam by land or sea, where the Digital Pre-Arrival Card hasn't been implemented.
If South Korean passport holders are entering with an e-visa, you don't need the NA1 form at all — your e-visa serves as your entry document. But if you're using VOA at an airport, expect to complete both the NA1 form and the Digital Pre-Arrival Card.
Who Is Exempt
Not everyone needs to submit the Pre-Arrival declaration. You're exempt if:
- You're a Vietnamese citizen traveling on a Vietnamese passport.
- You're a transit passenger staying airside without clearing immigration.
- You're connecting domestically within Vietnam (for example, a domestic flight after your international leg).
Overseas Vietnamese entering on a visa are not exempt and must still submit the declaration.
Information South Korean passport holders Need to Prepare
Before you sit down to fill out the form, have the following ready:
- Full name exactly as printed on your passport
- Passport number, nationality, date of birth, and gender
- Visa details: type (e-visa, bilateral/unilateral exemption, or temporary residence card), number, issue date, and expiry date
- Flight details: airline, flight number, and expected arrival date
- Departure location
- Purpose of entry (tourism, business, family visit, etc.)
- Accommodation address in Vietnam
- Intended departure date
If you're traveling with family, you can add them to the same declaration rather than filing separately.
One detail worth double-checking: South Korean Citizens should confirm whether they fall under a bilateral or unilateral visa-exemption category, since selecting the wrong option in the dropdown is one of the most common submission errors.
How to Submit the Pre-Arrival Declaration — Step by Step
- Go to prearrival.immigration.gov.vn and select your preferred language.
- Click "Create and Submit Declaration" and complete the CAPTCHA.
- Enter your passenger information — name, passport number, date of birth, gender, and expected arrival date.
- Select your correct visa type and enter the relevant visa or exemption number, issue date, and expiry date.
- Add your flight and accommodation details, plus any accompanying family members.
- Review everything carefully — small errors in your accommodation address or passport details can cause complications later.
- Tick the confirmation box and submit.
- Save the QR code you receive by email. Screenshot it, download the PDF, and print a physical copy as backup.
Common Declaration Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the Pre-Arrival Card with Vietnam's separate health-declaration framework — they're run by different authorities and aren't always both active.
- Submitting outside the 72-hour window, either too early or too close to departure.
- Overlooking the overlap between your e-visa's validity start date and the submission window, which can limit exactly when you're able to submit.
- Picking the wrong visa-exemption category in the dropdown.
- Assuming the Pre-Arrival Card replaces the NA1 form when using Visa on Arrival — it doesn't; you may need both.
- Relying on airport wifi instead of saving an offline copy of your QR code.
- Assuming the 45-day visa-free window means no paperwork at all. It doesn't — South Korean Citizens' visa-free status removes the need for a visa, not the Pre-Arrival declaration, which is still required.
What Happens at Vietnamese Immigration on Arrival
Once you land, present your passport and visa or exemption documents as usual, along with your Pre-Arrival QR code — digital or printed. The immigration officer scans the code to verify your pre-submitted details and stamps your passport. It's designed to be faster than the manual process, since your information is already on file.
If you arrive without having submitted the declaration in advance, you likely won't be turned away, but you should expect a longer wait while your details are entered manually at the counter.
How TravelDeclaration.com Can Help South Korean Citizens
You're always welcome to complete the Pre-Arrival Card yourself directly through the official channel. Where we come in is everything around the process: reviewing your entries for the mistakes covered above, coordinating multiple passports and travelers in one household, and making sure nothing gets missed before you're standing at the gate.
We know there are other assisted-filing services out there — what we're focused on is being the most accurate and transparent one, not the only one.
Get Started With TravelDeclaration.comMore Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card Guides by Nationality
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for Chinese Citizens
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for Japanese Citizens
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for Taiwanese Citizens
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for US Citizens
FAQ for South Korean Citizens
Is the Pre-Arrival Declaration the same as an e-visa?
No. The Pre-Arrival declaration is a separate entry-processing tool. It doesn't replace your visa, e-visa, or VOA approval letter — you'll still need whichever of those applies to your nationality.
Do I have to pay to submit the declaration?
No. Submission through the official portal, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, is completely free.
When should I complete it before my flight?
Within 72 hours of your arrival — not earlier. It's best to submit it before you leave home rather than waiting until you're at the airport, since connectivity issues have caused delays for some travelers.
Can I update the information after submitting?
The sources reviewed for this guide didn't confirm an edit function, so it's best to review every field carefully before you tick the confirmation box and submit.
What if the online portal doesn't work?
Try clearing your browser cookies and retrying, particularly during high-traffic periods. Completing the form well before your departure date — rather than at the airport under time pressure — gives you room to work through any technical hiccups.
Do South Korean Citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Not for short trips. South Korean Citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days, one of the longest windows Vietnam offers. That status only removes the visa requirement, though — the Digital Pre-Arrival Card is still required of every South Korean Citizen flying into Vietnam.