Vietnam's Digital Arrival Card: What It Means at the Gate

Vietnam's immigration process changed on 15 April 2026. Foreign nationals arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City are now required to submit a digital pre-arrival declaration before landing — generating a QR code that replaces the paper arrival card at the immigration desk. The rule is active, the portal is live, and enforcement is underway. Yet traveler awareness remains uneven. Airlines have been slow to integrate the requirement into their documentation checks, and the phased rollout has produced conflicting signals across forums, blogs, and booking platforms. This guide covers what the system is, who it applies to, how to complete it, and what to expect at the gate.

What the Digital Arrival Card Actually Is

The Digital Pre-Arrival Card — officially called the Pre-Arrival Information declaration — is an online form submitted through Vietnam's Immigration Department portal at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. It collects passport details, visa information, flight number, port of entry, departure country, purpose of travel, and a confirmed accommodation address in Vietnam. Once submitted, the system issues a QR code by email. Immigration officers at SGN scan that code on arrival instead of processing a paper card by hand.

The card is free. There is no government fee at any stage.

This is not a visa. It does not replace the e-visa or any existing entry authorization. It is an additional pre-screening layer — a data-capture step that Vietnam is introducing as part of a broader digitalization of its border controls. The e-visa process remains entirely separate and unchanged.

As of May 2026, the system is mandatory only at Tan Son Nhat. Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport (HAN), Da Nang International (DAD), and all land and sea borders continue to use existing procedures. Expansion to other ports is expected in later phases, but no confirmed dates have been published.

Who Must Complete It

The requirement applies to foreign passport holders and overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) entering on a visa or foreign passport who are arriving at SGN on or after 15 April 2026.

Two groups are exempt: Vietnamese citizens traveling on Vietnamese passports, and transit passengers who do not clear immigration.

The requirement is tied to the airport of entry, not to any specific airline. Some carriers have not yet integrated the check into their pre-departure documentation scripts, which is why certain passengers only learn about it from travel blogs or social media. That inconsistency reflects airline communication gaps, not a variation in the rule itself.

How to Complete the Form Before You Fly

The submission window opens 72 hours before your scheduled arrival. You cannot submit earlier than that. Most guides recommend completing it 24 to 48 hours out — early enough to resolve any technical issues, late enough that your flight details are unlikely to change.

Before you open the portal, gather the following: your passport (valid at least six months beyond arrival), your visa or e-visa details, your flight number and arrival date, and a confirmed accommodation address with a phone number in Vietnam. If your itinerary is flexible, book at least your first night's hotel before submitting. The address field requires a specific property — not a general area.

On the portal, fill in each field manually. The system offers an optional passport bio-page upload for auto-fill, but guides consistently warn that auto-populated data should be checked carefully before submission. Once you submit, the system sends a six-digit OTP to your email. Enter that code to finalize the declaration. Your QR code arrives by email immediately after.

Save the QR code offline. Screenshot it. Consider printing a paper copy. Phone batteries and airport Wi-Fi are not reliable enough to depend on at the immigration desk.

At the Gate: What to Expect

At SGN, follow signs to the immigration hall and present your passport, valid visa or e-visa, and QR code. The officer scans the code, retrieves your pre-submitted data, and stamps your passport. The process is designed to be faster than manual card processing — that is the point of the system.

If you arrive without a QR code, you will likely be directed to a manual lane or asked to complete your details on arrival. No explicit penalty has been published, but delays are the practical consequence. Early-phase enforcement has been inconsistent at quieter times, according to traveler forums — but that reflects a system still bedding in, not a signal that the requirement is optional.

Carry your standard supporting documents regardless: printed e-visa, onward ticket, hotel confirmation. Officers may still request them during this early period, particularly while the new system establishes its footing.

Visa on Arrival travelers should note one additional step: the NA1 entry/exit form remains required alongside the digital arrival card at SGN. The two documents serve different functions and neither replaces the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the digital arrival card mandatory or can I skip it?

As of 15 April 2026, it is mandatory for foreign passport holders arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. Some travelers have reported passing through without being checked during the early rollout, but that reflects inconsistent enforcement during a transition period — not an optional rule. Treat it as compulsory. Arriving without a QR code risks delays at the immigration desk.

Does this apply to all airports in Vietnam?

No. As of May 2026, the digital pre-arrival declaration is mandatory only at Tan Son Nhat (SGN). Travelers arriving at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, Da Nang International, or any land or sea border are not currently required to submit it. Those ports continue to use existing arrival procedures. Expansion to other airports is anticipated but no confirmed timeline has been announced.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. The form is completely free. The official portal at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn charges no fee at any stage. Be cautious of third-party sites that charge for form submission — they are not the official portal and are not necessary.

When exactly can I submit the form?

The submission window opens 72 hours (three days) before your scheduled arrival. You cannot submit earlier. The practical advice from most guides is to complete it 24 to 48 hours before landing — this gives you time to fix any issues while keeping your flight details stable. Check your spam folder for the OTP email, and do not close the browser tab before submission is confirmed.

I don't know where I'm staying yet. What do I put for accommodation?

The form requires a specific address and phone number for your accommodation in Vietnam. It will not accept a vague answer. The simplest solution is to book at least your first night before submitting, enter that property's details, and adjust your plans afterward. The address is used for contactability purposes — changing hotels after arrival is not an issue.

Does this replace my e-visa?

No. The digital arrival card and the e-visa are entirely separate documents. If your nationality requires a visa to enter Vietnam, that requirement is unchanged. The pre-arrival declaration is an additional step on top of your existing entry authorization — not a substitute for it.

What if I'm traveling on Visa on Arrival?

Visa on Arrival travelers arriving at SGN must complete both the digital pre-arrival declaration and the NA1 entry/exit form. The two documents serve different functions. The NA1 form remains part of the Visa on Arrival process and has not been replaced by the new digital system.