Vietnam Pre-arrival Information (PAI)

No. Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has stated that the PAI system is "optional rather than mandatory" for international air travellers, and the Embassy of Viet Nam has described it as operating "on a voluntary, non-mandatory basis." There is no fine, no boarding refusal and no denied entry for not filing. Authorities do, however, strongly recommend it: the only stated consequence of skipping it is a longer wait at the immigration counter. Around 70% of foreign air passengers used it during the pilot.

Within three days (72 hours) before your arrival in Vietnam — the official portal rejects earlier submissions, so filing weeks ahead is not possible. If you miss the window entirely, you can still complete the same declaration on arrival at the airport before you reach immigration; it is permitted and free, it simply takes longer at a moment when you are tired and queuing.

The PAI launched at Tan Son Nhat (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City on 15 April 2026 and now also covers Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi, Da Nang (DAD), Cam Ranh (CXR) serving Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc (PQC). Vietnam's Immigration Department has said it intends to extend the system nationwide. Coverage has changed several times since launch — check the official portal if you are arriving at a different entry point.

Yes — the government form is completely free on the official portal at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, and you can always file it yourself, at no cost, either before you fly or on arrival. Our charge is a service fee, not a government charge: it covers checking your passport and visa details against the format the portal expects, cross-checking your flight number against your airline booking record, submitting inside the 72-hour window, and delivering your QR code by email. Check the exact fee when you start your application.

The declaration fails. Vietnam's Immigration Department identified flight codes that did not match Passenger Name Record (PNR) data as the leading cause of unsuccessful submissions during the pilot. The problem is most common on codeshare flights, where the number on your itinerary differs from the operating carrier's number. Use the flight number on the operating airline's own booking record — checking this is the main thing we do before submitting on your behalf.

Yes. Every traveller needs a separate declaration, including infants and children, each tied to their own passport. A parent or legal guardian completes and submits it on the child's behalf, and each declaration produces its own QR code — make sure you have one saved per family member before you reach the immigration counter.

Submit a new declaration. Your PAI record is matched against your flight number, arrival date and arrival airport, so a schedule change or rebooking makes the original declaration inaccurate. There is no penalty and no limit on re-filing — just make sure the new submission still falls inside the 72-hour window before your revised arrival, and save the new QR code in place of the old one.

Yes. The PAI is a pre-arrival declaration, not an entry permit, and it does not replace a visa or grant any right of entry. You still need a Vietnam e-visa, an embassy-issued visa, or a qualifying visa exemption for your nationality — the e-visa is a separate application valid for up to 90 days. Check what your passport requires before you book.