Vietnam Digital Arrival Card 2026: Complete Expat Guide
Learn how to fill out the new Vietnam Digital Arrival Card in 2026. Official links, step-by-step instructions, and solutions to common form errors.
What is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card?
Answer-first: The Vietnam Digital Arrival Card (Pre-Arrival Information) is a mandatory electronic entry form introduced in 2026. All foreign passport holders must submit it online within 72 hours before landing. The system is completely free and generates a QR code scanned at immigration counters.
Starting in 2026, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) transitioned immigration entry records to a digital-first model. This replaces the old paper arrival/departure slips previously distributed on flights.
Here is a breakdown of who must fill out the declaration:
- Mandatory: Standard foreign passport holders, E-visa users, Visa Exemption holders, and TRC (Temporary Residence Card) holders.
- Children: Every foreign national, regardless of age, must have a separate submission. Parents can submit for minors under their account.
- Exemptions: Vietnamese passport holders and transit passengers staying airside (not entering the country).
The digital card works alongside your entry visa. Completing the PAI form is a separate entry requirement; it does not replace a visa or visa exemption document.
E-Pass vs. E-Visa: Understanding the Difference
Do not confuse the Digital Arrival Card (E-Pass) with your E-Visa.
- E-Visa: This gives you legal permission to enter Vietnam. You apply for it weeks in advance and pay a $25 fee.
- E-Pass (Digital Arrival Card): This is a mandatory customs/immigration declaration detailing how and when you are arriving. It is free and must be done within 72 hours of your flight. You need both to clear immigration.
Land Borders vs. Airports
Currently, the Digital Arrival Card is strictly enforced at all major international airports (Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc). If you are entering Vietnam via a land border (e.g., Moc Bai or Lao Bao), the system is gradually rolling out, but physical entry stamps and manual processing still dominate. However, you should still attempt to submit the form online to prevent delays.
Always screenshot your digital arrival QR code before boarding. Mobile networks at Tan Son Nhat airport can be congested, making it difficult to load the portal on arrival.
Official Portal and Scam Warning
Answer-first: The official portal for the digital arrival card is https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/. The submission process is entirely free. Avoid lookalike broker websites that charge fees between $20 and $80 USD for ‘processing assistance’.
Because the digital system is new, several unofficial agency sites have popped up. They use lookalike domains (e.g., ending in .org.vn, .govt.vn, or .com) to mimic official government portals.
| Feature | Official Government Portal | Unofficial Broker Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | prearrival.immigration.gov.vn | vietnamarrivalcard.org / .com / .govt.vn |
| Cost | 100% Free | $20 - $80 USD |
| Data Security | Encrypted government database | Third-party commercial storage |
| Processing Time | Instant QR code generation | Delayed delivery via email |
If a site asks for credit card details, close it immediately. The official government portal does not require payment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the Form
Answer-first: Submitting the form takes 5–10 minutes. You need to upload your passport bio-data photo, select your visa/entry document type, input flight details, and select your local address from hierarchical dropdown menus.
Follow this sequence to ensure your submission goes through smoothly:
Step 1: Upload Passport and Photo
You must upload a clear JPEG or JPG image of your passport bio-data page. The file size must be under 2MB. The optical character recognition (OCR) system will automatically populate your name, passport number, and date of birth.
Step 2: Input Visa or Entry Documents
Select your entry type:
- E-visa: Input your e-visa serial number (starts with EV).
- TRC/PRC: Input your Temporary/Permanent Residence Card number.
- Visa Exemption: Select your exemption category (e.g., bilateral exemption or 5-year visa exemption).
Step 3: Flight and Arrival Port Details
Input your flight number (e.g., VN650 or VJ801) and scheduled arrival date. Select your arrival airport from the dropdown list (e.g., SGN for Tan Son Nhat or HAN for Noi Bai).
Step 4: Accommodation Address
You must select your accommodation location. The portal uses a rigid hierarchy: Province/City, District, Ward, and Street/Address. Once completed, review the details and submit. The system will immediately generate a QR code.
Common Errors and Dropdown Workarounds
Answer-first: Common errors include validation failures due to address formatting, CAPTCHA timeouts, and file size rejections. Avoid special characters in text fields, and look up ward details on Google Maps if your hotel is unlisted.
Due to the portal’s early-stage development, travelers frequently encounter UI glitches:
- Special Characters Error: Entering sashes (
/), dashes (-), or hashtags (#) in address lines causes form freeze errors. Some users receive a false “Passport Blacklist” flag. Keep address inputs to letters and spaces only. - Address Dropdown Mismatch: If your hotel or building name is not listed, you must look up its Phường (Ward) on Google Maps first. Select that specific Ward, then type your closest street address manually.
- Captcha Validation Timeout: The Captcha changes every 60 seconds. If you take too long to fill out the form, refresh the Captcha image right before clicking submit.
- Photo Size Reject: Photos taken on modern smartphones are often too large. Compress your passport image to under 2MB before starting the form.
What Happens at the Border (SGN & HAN)
Answer-first: Present your QR code on your smartphone or printed paper to the immigration officer at the manual counter. Standard foreign tourists cannot use automated E-gates/Autogates, which are reserved for Vietnamese citizens and pre-registered residents.
When you land at SGN (Ho Chi Minh City) or HAN (Hanoi):
- Proceed directly to the manual immigration counters.
- Have your passport, physical visa/evisa printout, and digital arrival QR code ready.
- The officer will scan the QR code to verify your PAI submission before stamping your passport.
If you forgot to fill out the form before flight departure:
- You must connect to the airport Wi-Fi (often slow or congested).
- Scan the QR codes posted on terminal banners to access the portal.
- Fill out the form on your phone before joining the queue.
- There are no fines for forgetting, but it causes significant immigration delays.
Interaction with Customs and Declarations
Answer-first: The Pre-Arrival Information form does not replace or link to customs declarations. Cash declarations over $5,000 USD must still be made physically at the airport’s Red Channel.
Immigration and Customs remain separate administrative steps:
- Cash Limits: If you enter Vietnam carrying more than $5,000 USD (or equivalent in foreign currency) or over 15,000,000 VND in cash, you must declare it physically.
- Customs Channel: Walk through the Red Channel to declare cash, restricted goods, or expensive electronics.
- Paper Declaration: You must fill out the physical blue-and-white Customs Declaration form at the terminal for these declarations. The digital arrival card does not record customs details.
Group Submissions and Tour Agencies
Answer-first: You can submit a Digital Arrival Card for a group, but the portal is notoriously unstable for large batches. Every individual in the group will still receive a distinct QR code that must be presented individually.
If you are traveling as a family or a small group, the portal allows you to add multiple “Dependents” or “Group Members” under a single primary submission.
- The Catch: If one person’s passport photo is rejected or their visa number is formatted incorrectly, the entire group submission will fail to process.
- Best Practice: For groups larger than 4 people, it is highly recommended to submit individual applications to prevent the entire family from being stuck at the error screen.
Data Privacy and the MPS Database
Answer-first: Essential summary and practical recommendations regarding Data Privacy and the MPS Database. When you submit this form, your data is sent directly to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) National Database on Population.
This database links your passport, your entry date, and the specific Ward (Phường) you plan to stay in. If your landlord fails to register your temporary residence (Khai Báo Tạm Trú) within 12 hours of your arrival, the MPS algorithms will flag the discrepancy between your declared arrival address and your lack of police registration, which can trigger an administrative check.
FAQ
Answer-first: International arrivals must complete the electronic health and entry declaration via the official immigration portal prior to airport boarding.
Is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card mandatory?
Yes, it is mandatory for all foreign passport holders entering Vietnam via international airports in 2026. Transit passengers staying airside are exempt.
Do kids need their own digital arrival card?
Yes, every individual traveler must have their own digital arrival card submission and QR code. Parents can submit on behalf of their children.
Can I submit the digital arrival card after landing?
You can, but it is highly recommended to complete it 24–48 hours before departure. Relying on airport Wi-Fi to submit after landing causes long delays in immigration lines.
What if my flight number or arrival date changes?
If your flight is delayed by a few hours on the same day, you do not need to submit a new form. However, if your flight is rescheduled to a different day or you change airlines entirely, you must submit a completely new Digital Arrival Card with the updated details.
Can I edit a submitted form?
No. Once you click submit and receive your QR code, the data is locked in the MPS system. If you realize you made a mistake (e.g., typing the wrong passport number), you cannot edit it. You must fill out a brand new form and use the newly generated QR code at the border.
Do I still need paper customs forms?
Only if you have goods or cash to declare (e.g., over $5,000 USD). Standard tourists with nothing to declare can walk through the Green Channel without any paper forms.
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