Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration for US Travelers: Timing & How It Differs from a Visa
Short answer: The Immigration Department launched the system as a Tan Son Nhat pilot on 15 April 2026 and said nationwide expansion would follow. Check the current official system before relying on the original pilot scope. The pre-arrival declaration is separate from Vietnam’s visa process. It collects personal, visa and travel information; it does not replace any visa required for your trip. The electronic visa is a separate application and can last up to 90 days. Stand: 26 September 2026.
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What the pre-arrival form is
The Immigration Department launched the system as a Tan Son Nhat pilot on 15 April 2026 and said nationwide expansion would follow. On 13 May 2026, the same notice described the system as a pilot at Tan Son Nhat and as optional rather than mandatory for international air travelers. Check the current official system before relying on the original pilot scope.
When you can submit it
The 13 May notice says potential travelers can submit a declaration from an internet-connected device within three days before entry. The address it gives is https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. That window is the timing in the notice.
Confirm on the current system whether that window still applies to your arrival, and whether filing is still optional. If the system still accepts your declaration, keep the QR code generated after submission for use in the arrival process. The notice says to save it on a phone or print it for use at the border gate.
It does not replace a visa
The pre-arrival declaration is separate from Vietnam’s visa process. It collects personal, visa and travel information; it does not replace any visa required for your trip. Vietnam’s electronic visa is a separate application and can last up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry. For the visa itself, use the eVisa guide or the embassy visa guide.
FAQ
Is Vietnam pre-arrival a visa?
No. The pre-arrival declaration is separate from Vietnam’s visa process. It collects personal, visa and travel information; it does not replace any visa required for your trip.
When can I submit the Vietnam pre-arrival form?
The 13 May notice says a declaration can be submitted within three days before entry. Confirm on the current official system whether that window, and the original Tan Son Nhat pilot scope, still apply to your arrival.
Where do I file the Vietnam pre-arrival form?
The notice gives https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. After submission, keep the QR code generated for use in the arrival process.
How my-evisas.com can help
If the current system still offers the declaration, file it at https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. If your trip also needs an electronic visa, optional help is available on https://my-evisas.com/visas/vietnam. That page is the eVisa request, not the declaration. Vietnamese immigration decides entry; the form itself does not grant a visa.
Sources
- Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam — Immigration Department launches Pre-arrival Information System (accessed 26 September 2026)
- Embassy of Vietnam in the United States — New policy: Electronic visa and visa exemption (accessed 26 September 2026)
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 26 September 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn