Correction (September 15, 2026): When this article was first published, it stated that this pre-arrival declaration had been "mandatory from April 15." However, the Consulate-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City announced on April 16, the day after the launch, that it "has not become mandatory," and Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security also explained in its May announcement that it is "voluntary, not mandatory." We have corrected the title and the body text, and reflected the fact that the airports covered expanded from June onward and that guidance from different countries is currently split on whether it is mandatory.
On April 15, 2026, the Immigration Department of Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security began a pilot of "Pre-Arrival Information (PAI)," a pre-arrival declaration for foreign visitors also known as the digital arrival card, at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City in the south. From three days before the scheduled date of entry, you register your passport details and where you are staying online, and present the QR code you are issued at immigration. In June it expanded to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Da Nang Airport and other airports. The Ministry of Public Security and the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam and its consulates-general say it is not mandatory, while the U.S. Embassy describes it as mandatory, so the guidance is split. It is free, so registering gives you peace of mind.
Immigration at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport in particular often has long lines, so caution is needed!
How the Digital Arrival Card works and the declaration procedure
The steps for the digital arrival card are as follows.
Step 1:On or after three days before your scheduled date of entry, go to the official website of the Immigration Department of Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security prearrival.immigration.gov.vn . Registration site:https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/
Step 2:Enter your passport details, flight number, the address where you will stay in Vietnam and the purpose of your visit. The official website is also available in Japanese.
Step 3:Once your submission is approved, a QR code arrives at the email address you registered.
Step 4:On arriving in Vietnam, present the QR code to the immigration officer. Presenting it on your smartphone screen or as a printed sheet are both fine.
※There's no fee for registration, so you don't need to enter a credit card or the like. Beware of fake sites and agency sites.
Who it applies to and its scope
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Start date | April 15, 2026 (Pilot at Tan Son Nhat Airport) |
| Mandatory or voluntary | The guidance is split • Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security (May): not mandatory • Japan's diplomatic missions (June): not mandatory • U.S. Embassy (June 17): mandatory Registration is free |
| Applicable airports | Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat): from April 15 Phu Quoc: from June 1 Hanoi (Noi Bai): from the second week of June Da Nang: from June 15 Nha Trang (Cam Ranh): introduced by late June ※ Phu Quoc is based on news reports and embassy guidance ※ Everywhere except Nha Trang is described as a pilot |
| Target | Anyone entering on a passport other than a Vietnamese one |
| Visa-exempt travelers | Target (including Japanese nationals entering under the 45-day visa exemption) |
| E-visa holders | Target |
| When you can file | from 3 days before your planned arrival date |
| Fee | Free (no credit card details are entered) |
| If you did not file in advance | After arrival, using the QR code at the airport or a paper form you can also file (U.S. Embassy) |
| Future expansion | A plan to expand to international airports nationwide Introduction at land border crossings is also under consideration (Ministry of Public Security) |
Why it was introduced at this timing
The Vietnamese government has set a target of 25 million foreign tourists for 2026.In the first quarter alone, 6.76 million people entered, updating the record high.It's a measure to streamline immigration for the rapidly increasing travelers.
The aim is to make immigration screening more efficient and faster by receiving travelers' information in advance and handling arrivals by checking a QR code.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, 161,596 declarations were filed between April 15, when the pilot began, and April 30, and 119,854 of them were completed. Even though it was a pilot that was not mandatory, the ministry says about 70% of foreign passengers arriving at Tan Son Nhat filed one.
Impact on Japanese travelers and points to note
Japanese nationals can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days. Entering under the visa exemption is also covered by this pre-arrival declaration.
Points to be especially careful about:
- You can only register from three days before your scheduled date of entry:Anything earlier is not accepted, so take care of it in the last few days before departure.
- Accommodation address:Not just the hotel name but the address (street number, street name, district name) is required. Keep your booking confirmation email at hand.
- Email address:Where the QR code is sent. It may be filtered into the spam folder, so check before departure.
- If you are arriving in Hanoi, Da Nang or Phu Quoc:The pilot began in June at Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi), Da Nang Airport and Phu Quoc Airport, and it has also been introduced at Cam Ranh Airport. The registration method is the same.
The steps are the same if you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on a direct flight from Japan.Vietjet's direct flights from Nagoya and Fukuoka to Ho Chi Minh Cityand other flights departing from regional airports are no different.
Comparison with similar systems
Electronic travel authorizations such as the U.S. ESTA require approval before you can board, and there is a fee to apply. Vietnam's pre-arrival declaration isFree, and it is not a procedure for obtaining approval but a system for sending your travel details ahead to make immigration screening more efficient.
A summary of the information needed for the procedure
| Required information | Preparation tips |
|---|---|
| Passport number | Valid for at least 6 months from the entry date |
| Flight number | Listed in your airline booking confirmation email |
| Accommodation address | Copy from the confirmation screen of the hotel booking site |
| Purpose of visit | Select "Tourism" |
| Email address | For receiving the QR code. Check your spam settings |
| Portal URL | prearrival.immigration.gov.vn |
Summary: the guidance is split, but you can register for free from three days before entry
Vietnam's digital arrival card (PAI) is a pre-arrival declaration that is free and can be completed entirely on a smartphone. After Tan Son Nhat, the pilot began at Noi Bai, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, and it has also been introduced at Cam Ranh. Guidance is split on whether it is mandatory, so registering on the official website from three days before your scheduled date of entry is the safe bet. Once you get to Ho Chi Minh City,prawn fishingand other local pastimes are worth enjoying too.
For arrangements other than entry procedures — flights, accommodation, eSIM, overseas travel insurance, and more —Vietnam travel bookings summarywe've listed them in the order to handle before departure.
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