The Vietnam pre-arrival form is the Pre-Arrival Information declaration at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, run by the Vietnam Immigration Department. It has been piloted at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City since 15 April 2026. It is not mandatory as of October 2026, and filling it in gives you a QR code for the immigration counter.
This guide covers whether you need it, how to fill it in, how it differs from other entry forms, what to carry to the counter, and what to expect at the three main airports. The declaration does not replace a visa: our Vietnam e-visa guide explains the e-visa, and you can apply for your Vietnam e-visa online if you do not have one yet.
Pre-arrival declaration at a glance (as of October 2026):
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | prearrival.immigration.gov.vn only |
| When | Within 3 days before you enter Vietnam |
| Airports | Pilot at Tan Son Nhat (SGN), to be rolled out to other international airports |
| Mandatory | Not yet, according to the Ministry of Public Security |
| What you get | A QR code to show at immigration, on your phone or printed |
Pre-arrival declaration: is it mandatory?
No, not as of October 2026. The Ministry of Public Security's announcement of 11 May 2026 describes the system as a pilot at Tan Son Nhat and says it is not compulsory for now. Travelers are encouraged to use it.
The UK government's travel advice says the same and warns that this may change, or extend to other airports, with limited notice. Some travel blogs call the form mandatory. We recommend filling it in anyway if you land at Tan Son Nhat: it takes a few minutes, and the Ministry describes it as a way to speed up passport control.
How to fill in the Vietnam pre-arrival form
You fill in the Vietnam pre-arrival form online in five steps, within 3 days before you enter Vietnam, on any phone or computer with internet access. The Ministry's announcement describes this sequence.
- Open the official site: Go to prearrival.immigration.gov.vn directly, not through an ad or a link in a message.
- Choose a language: The form is available in English, Vietnamese, Chinese and French, among others.
- Start a new declaration: Select the option to create and submit a declaration, then enter the CAPTCHA code.
- Enter your details: Fill in your personal information, your visa or exemption details and your flight.
- Save the QR code: The system issues a QR code. Save it on your phone or print it, and show it at immigration.
The Ministry has warned about fake websites that imitate the declaration and take money through credit cards. The pre-arrival immigration site is a gov.vn address, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, and nothing else. If a site asks you to pay for the declaration, close it.
Have your e-visa ready before you start, since the form asks for visa details. If you hold a visa exemption, have your passport and flight number to hand.
Arrival card and other entry forms
The Vietnam arrival card is this same pre-arrival declaration, which the UK government calls the digital arrival card. It is an online Vietnam entry form, and as of October 2026 it is still in pilot.
Two other forms get mixed up with it. The NA1 form is an application for a visa at a Vietnamese embassy, not an entry form, and it is not needed if you hold an e-visa or a visa exemption. A health declaration may also be requested: the UK government notes that travelers may be asked to complete one and advises checking with the nearest Vietnamese embassy for instructions.
None of these is a visa. The pre-arrival declaration records information before your trip, and it does not process or approve visa applications.
At the immigration counter: what to carry
At the immigration counter you show your passport, your e-visa or proof that your nationality is visa-exempt, and the QR code if you completed the pre-arrival form. Keep these in your hand luggage, not in a checked bag.
- Passport: The same passport you used for your e-visa, valid for at least 6 months from arrival.
- E-visa: A printed copy of the e-visa PDF. Check that the name, passport number and dates match your passport.
- Pre-arrival QR code: On your phone or printed, if you filled in the declaration.
- Onward details: Your return or onward flight and your first address in Vietnam, in case the officer asks.
After the officer stamps your passport, check the stamped date. The UK government advises that it cannot be changed once you have left the airport. Visa-exempt travelers should confirm that the stamp matches their allowed stay, listed on our page of visa-free countries and stay limits. If you are unsure whether you need a visa at all, check the requirements by nationality before you book.
SGN, HAN and DAD: what to expect
The three busiest international airports all accept the e-visa, and only Tan Son Nhat uses the pre-arrival declaration in its pilot. The table shows the position as stated in the Ministry's May 2026 notice.
| Airport | City | Pre-arrival declaration | E-visa port of entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) | Ho Chi Minh City | Pilot since 15 April 2026, not mandatory | Yes |
| Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) | Hanoi | Not named in the pilot, rollout planned | Yes |
| Da Nang International Airport (DAD) | Da Nang | Not named in the pilot, rollout planned | Yes |
Your e-visa names the port where you will enter, so book a flight into that airport. All 15 international airports on our list of ports of entry accept e-visa holders, along with land border gates and seaports. Before you fly into Hanoi or Da Nang, check prearrival.immigration.gov.vn in case the declaration has been extended there.
Fast track: is it worth it?
Fast track is a paid meet-and-assist service at the airport. A staff member meets you at the arrival hall and walks you through a priority lane at immigration. It does not replace a visa, and your e-visa or exemption is checked the same way.
It is worth considering if you land at a peak hour with a tight connection, travel with small children, or need help with mobility. For most travelers with a printed e-visa and a pre-arrival QR code, the standard queue is enough. Fast track is not part of our e-visa prices.
VietnamVisa.com is a private visa agency, not a government website. You can apply yourself at evisa.gov.vn for US$25 (single entry) or US$50 (multiple entry). If you still need a visa, apply for your Vietnam e-visa online with us and see the delivery time before you pay, or choose an urgent Vietnam e-visa if you fly within a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The pre-arrival declaration only sends your information to the Vietnam Immigration Department before you arrive. It does not process or approve visa applications. You still need an e-visa, another visa or a visa exemption that covers your stay.
The Ministry of Public Security's notice does not mention any fee, and it warns about fake websites that take money through credit cards. Use only prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, and close any site that asks you to pay for the declaration.
The pilot is aimed at international passengers entering Vietnam. If you stay airside and do not pass through immigration, you do not enter the country. Our guide to transit through Vietnam covers layovers in more detail.
The Ministry's notice does not describe an edit function, so the simplest fix is a new declaration on prearrival.immigration.gov.vn with the correct details. Show the new QR code at the counter. Your passport and visa are what the officer checks for entry.
Each traveler entering Vietnam goes through passport control with their own passport, so fill in a declaration for each family member, children included. Each child also needs their own e-visa or visa exemption.