Country-specific guides, troubleshooting tips, and travel advice for the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Form — written by Quỳnh Đỗ, Vietnam Immigration Documentation Specialist.
By Quỳnh Đỗ, Vietnam Immigration Documentation Specialist · Updated 7 October 2026 · Independent service — not affiliated with the Vietnamese government
The health declaration under Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP is a standby framework, not a routine requirement. It only activates if the Ministry of Health declares an outbreak.
As of October 2026, the PAI form is mandatory at five airports: SGN, PQC, HAN, DAD, and CXR. Confirmed dates and the 3-day submission rule.
Your hotel or host registers your stay with police automatically — but your address still needs to match your Pre-Arrival Form exactly.
Decree 286/2026/ND-CP took effect September 15, 2026. It changes interagency data sharing — not e-visa steps, fees, or the 90-day validity.
Foreigners lawfully in Vietnam can now request a VNeID e-ID account. For long-stay residents and workers — tourists don't need to do anything.
Indonesian passport holders can still enter visa-free, but the maximum stay is now 14 days for tourism and family visits only.
As of June 2026, the PAI system covers five airports: SGN, PQC, HAN (Noi Bai), DAD (Da Nang), and CXR (Cam Ranh). Here's what changed.
Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) in Nha Trang joined Vietnam's PAI system in June 2026. The pre-arrival form is now mandatory for all international arrivals.
Since June 1, 2026, the digital arrival card is mandatory for all international passengers at Phu Quoc Airport. Includes the Phu Quoc visa exemption explained.
Vietnam now requires two separate entry forms for certain travelers. Whether you need a QR code, a paper form, or both depends entirely on your visa type.
The rules depend entirely on passport type and entry status — there is no single answer for all Viet Kieu. This guide breaks it down clearly.
No — digital is accepted. But a printed backup is strongly recommended. A dead phone battery at SGN immigration is a real risk.
The most common cause: wrong arrival date or submitting too early. Four causes, four fixes — resolve the missing flight code in minutes.
A complete guide to landing at SGN in 2026 — the mandatory pre-arrival form, what happens at immigration, and how to reach Ho Chi Minh City center.
Singapore citizens get 30 days visa-free but must still complete the form at SGN. Select 'Unilateral exemption' — never 'Visa'.
French citizens get 45 days visa-free. Critical: your departure country on the form is your transit hub (Dubai, Doha, etc.) — not France.
Indonesian citizens get 14 days under the bilateral visa exemption (since July 2026), for tourism/family visits. The form is mandatory at SGN — select 'Bilateral exemption' on Step 2.
Japan gets Vietnam's most generous visa exemption — 45 days. The pre-arrival form is still mandatory at SGN. Select 'Unilateral exemption'.
Australians need an e-visa AND the pre-arrival form — in that order. Get your visa at evisa.gov.vn first, then submit the form within 72 hours.
Your e-visa and the pre-arrival form are two separate requirements. Both are mandatory — here's exactly which fields to complete from your visa certificate.
Filipinos get 30 days visa-free under the ASEAN bilateral agreement. The form is mandatory at SGN — select 'Bilateral exemption', not 'Visa'.
Malaysians get 30 days visa-free. Key for AirAsia travelers: always verify the AK operating code on your booking — not the codeshare number.
Thai citizens get 30 days visa-free. Submit within 72 hours of arrival at SGN and select 'Bilateral exemption' from the visa type dropdown.
UK citizens need an e-visa AND the pre-arrival form. Critical rule: your departure country is your last transit hub (Dubai, Doha, etc.) — not the UK.
US citizens need a valid e-visa AND the pre-arrival form — in that order. With no direct flights to SGN, your departure country is your transit hub.
Canada has no visa exemption with Vietnam — you need an e-visa first, then the form. Your departure country is your Asian transit hub, not Canada.
Germans get 45 days visa-free but the Pre-Arrival Form is still mandatory at SGN. Select 'Unilateral exemption' — your departure country is your last transit hub.
Koreans get 45 days visa-free under the bilateral agreement. Select 'Bilateral exemption' on the form — and check your Korean Air booking for the operating carrier code.
India has no visa exemption with Vietnam — get your e-visa first, then the form within 72 hours. Most Indian travelers connect via Singapore, KL, or Bangkok.
Russians get 30 days visa-free. Charter flights like Azur Air (ZF) are supported — enter the exact code and select 'Unilateral exemption' on the form.
Taiwan passport holders get 15 days visa-free — the shortest exemption in Asia. Select 'Unilateral exemption' for short trips; get an e-visa for stays over 15 days.
Free to fill. Takes around 10 minutes. Submit within 72 hours of your arrival at SGN.
Start My Application →
