Skip to content Vietnam has introduced a new pre-arrival declaration requirement. This is for eligible passengers entering the country through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The measure, which took effect on 15 April 2026, is part of the Vietnam Immigration Department’s efforts to modernize immigration management, improve passenger services, and make entry procedures faster, safer, and more convenient.
How it works
Under the new provisions, foreign nationals entering Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese entering with a visa must submit their personal information before reaching the immigration checkpoint at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. After the traveller has sent the declaration successfully, the system generates a confirmation QR code. Passengers must present to immigration officers during entry procedures.
The requirement came with an official letter issued by the Tan Son Nhat International Airport border gate police under the Immigration Department of Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security. According to government notices, the measure is part of the pilot implementation of a programme for collecting and sharing pre-arrival declaration information for foreign nationals.
Passengers can complete the declaration online through the official pre-arrival portal or by using the official QR code system provided through authorised channels. Travellers shall complete the form before departure, rather than waiting until arrival, to avoid delays at the immigration checkpoint. The Singapore Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City confirms that passengers who complete the declaration receive a QR code to show to immigration officers and must ensure that the information submitted is accurate and complete.
Failure to comply
The new procedure does not replace visa requirements. Travellers who need a visa to enter Vietnam must still obtain the appropriate visa or e-visa before travelling. The pre-arrival declaration is an additional immigration step to support faster processing at the border. Vietnamese passport holders and transit passengers who do not complete immigration procedures are reported as exempt from the new requirement.
The main purpose of the new digital system is to reduce manual processing. Furthermore, it aims to shorten inspection times and limit congestion during peak arrival periods. This is to support Vietnam’s broader digital transformation in immigration control. Authorities have also encouraged airlines, travel operators, and related service providers to inform passengers in advance. In this way, travellers can complete the declaration before arriving at the airport.
Failure to complete the pre-arrival declaration does not appear to automatically prevent entry. However, it may result in longer waiting times and additional processing at the immigration checkpoint. Passengers arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport should therefore prepare their QR code in advance and keep it accessible. They can do it either on a mobile device or show it as a printed copy. They must show it together with their passport and visa documents.