Not every traveler arriving in Vietnam is required to complete the Pre-Arrival Registration Form. Understanding whether the requirement applies to you before your trip saves time and avoids confusion at the airport. This page explains exactly who must complete the form, who is exempt, and how the rules apply in specific situations.
Who Must Complete the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Form
As of April 15, 2026, the following travelers must submit the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Registration Form before arriving at an international airport in Vietnam:
- All foreign nationals traveling with a non-Vietnamese passport – regardless of nationality, visa type, or purpose of travel
- Overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) entering Vietnam using a valid visa – this applies to people of Vietnamese origin who hold foreign citizenship and are entering with a visa
The declaration applies whether you are arriving as a tourist, business traveler, student, or any other category. It is also required regardless of your visa type – e-visa holders, visa exemption travelers, and those with visa on arrival approval must all complete the form.
Who Is Exempt from the Requirement
The following groups are not required to complete the pre-arrival form:
- Vietnamese citizens holding a valid Vietnamese passport
- Transit passengers who remain airside and do not pass through Vietnamese immigration
If you are a dual citizen holding both a Vietnamese and a foreign passport, you may enter using your Vietnamese passport and would not be required to complete the form. Check with Vietnamese immigration or your airline for dual-nationality guidance.
Does It Apply to Visa-Free Travelers?
Yes – this is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the requirement. Travelers from visa-free countries – including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and most European Union nations – must still complete the pre-arrival declaration form.
The form is a separate requirement from your visa status. Being exempt from the e-visa requirement does not exempt you from the pre-arrival registration. For more detail, see our Vietnam pre-arrival form for visa-free travelers guide.
Country-Specific Notes
Here is how the requirement applies to travelers from major countries:
- US citizens: Visa-free up to 90 days – pre-arrival form required. US citizens guide
- UK citizens: Visa-free up to 45 days – pre-arrival form required. UK citizens guide
- Australian citizens: Visa-free up to 90 days – pre-arrival form required. Australian citizens guide
- EU citizens: Visa-free stays vary by country (45-90 days) – pre-arrival form required for all. EU citizens guide
Overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) Requirements
The rules for overseas Vietnamese depend on how they enter:
- With a Vietnamese passport: Exempt from the pre-arrival form requirement
- With a foreign passport and a Vietnamese visa: Must complete the pre-arrival form
- With a Certificate of Vietnamese Origin (Giay to chung nhan co nguon goc Viet Nam): Check with the Vietnamese embassy for current requirements
Children and Minors
Children traveling with foreign passports must also have their information included in the pre-arrival declaration. Their details can be added to a parent’s or accompanying adult’s declaration as part of a group submission. Infants on a parent’s passport should be included under that passport’s declaration.
At Which Airports Does the Requirement Apply?
Currently the requirement is mandatory at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. It is expanding to Noi Bai Airport (HAN) in Hanoi and Da Nang Airport (DAD). Even if your arrival airport has not yet formally mandated the form, completing it in advance is strongly recommended as the rollout progresses. Full airport details: Vietnam pre-arrival form airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the pre-arrival form requirement apply to business visa holders?
Yes. All foreign passport holders – including those entering on business visas – must complete the pre-arrival declaration form.
I am entering Vietnam for a visa run – do I need the form?
If you are passing through immigration as a foreign passport holder, yes, the pre-arrival form is required regardless of the purpose or duration of your stay.
My child travels on my passport – how do I declare them?
Infants listed on a parent’s passport can be included under that passport’s declaration. If your child has their own passport, add their details as a separate traveler within the same group declaration.
Are crew members exempt?
Aircraft crew members entering through crew channels typically follow separate immigration procedures. Check with your airline or immigration authority for crew-specific requirements.