Vietnam Implements Mandatory Pre-Arrival Declaration for Visa Holders

As of April 15, 2026, the Vietnamese government has mandated a new pre-arrival declaration process for all foreign passengers and overseas Vietnamese entering the country with a visa through Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. This policy is part of a broader digital transformation effort by the Vietnam Immigration Department to streamline border control procedures and reduce congestion at one of the country's busiest international gateways. By shifting the data collection process to a digital format, authorities aim to improve security screening efficiency and reduce the manual workload for immigration officers.

The system requires travellers to submit their information via the official government portal at https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/ prior to departure. Upon successful submission, travellers receive a QR code, which must be presented to immigration officials upon arrival. Failure to complete this step may result in processing delays or the need to complete the declaration on-site, which can significantly extend wait times during peak arrival periods. This initiative reflects Vietnam's ongoing commitment to modernizing its entry infrastructure to accommodate rising tourism and business travel volumes.

This requirement applies to all foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese who are entering Vietnam using a visa through Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It does not currently apply to travellers entering through other international airports or land border crossings, though travellers should monitor for potential nationwide expansion of this digital mandate.

Makutet expects that Vietnam will likely expand this digital declaration requirement to all major international airports, including Noi Bai and Da Nang, by early 2027. This move signals a clear shift toward a fully digitized border management system, which will eventually integrate with e-visa and e-gate infrastructure to automate entry verification. Travellers should anticipate that paper-based arrival forms will be phased out entirely in favor of these pre-arrival digital portals.