It's separate from Vietnam's e-visa, which US passport holders still need since the US isn't on Vietnam's visa-free list. This guide covers how the Pre-Arrival Card fits alongside your e-visa, when to file it, and the mistakes that trip up first-time travelers.
Did you know? US Citizens aren't on Vietnam's visa-free list, but the e-visa is inexpensive and broad — about $25 for a single entry valid for up to 90 days, processed online in a few business days. — Vietnam Visa-Free Countries 2026 — Wego Travel Blog
| Quick facts for American travelers | |
|---|---|
| Pre-Arrival declaration | Mandatory for air arrivals — free, submit within 72 hours of arrival |
| Visa to enter Vietnam | Visa required (e-visa, ~$25–50) — not on Vietnam's visa-free list |
This is an independent guide, not an official government website. Below, you'll find everything American citizens need to know about the Pre-Arrival Card, plus how we can help you get it right.
Check requirementsWhat Is the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration?
The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) declaration is an official online form administered by Vietnam's Immigration Department. You submit your passport, visa, and travel details through the government's own portal — prearrival.immigration.gov.vn — and receive a QR code by email in return. That QR code gets scanned at the immigration counter on arrival, replacing manual data entry and speeding up the process.
It's completely free to submit, and it must be completed within 72 hours before you land — not earlier, and ideally not at the very last minute either, since connectivity issues at the portal have been reported during busy periods.
Pre-Arrival Declaration vs. Vietnam e-Visa — Not the Same Thing
This is where a lot of travelers get tripped up. The Pre-Arrival declaration is not a visa, and it doesn't replace one. If American passport holders are required to obtain a visa, e-visa, or Visa on Arrival approval letter to enter Vietnam, that requirement still stands — the Pre-Arrival Card is an additional step layered on top, not a substitute for it.
Think of it this way: your visa gives you permission to enter Vietnam. The Pre-Arrival Card simply tells Vietnamese immigration who you are and when you're arriving, so they can process you faster at the airport.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Vietnam?
This is the one place where US Citizens' experience differs sharply from South Korean and Japanese Citizens covered elsewhere in this guide: American isn't on Vietnam's visa-free list, so a standard trip to mainland Vietnam requires an e-visa or another valid visa arranged in advance. Vietnam's e-visa is open to every nationality, costs around $25 for a single entry or $50 for multiple entries, covers stays of up to 90 days, and is typically processed within a few business days through the official government portal.
There is one notable exception worth knowing about: Vietnam offers a 30-day visa-free exemption specifically for travelers flying directly to Phu Quoc island — on a direct international flight or via international transit without clearing immigration elsewhere first — and staying only on the island. This exemption is open to every nationality, including US Citizens, regardless of normal visa requirements. Stepping off the island, or connecting through an airport like Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and clearing immigration there first, forfeits it.
Here's the part that catches people off guard regardless of your visa situation: even once your visa question is settled, the Pre-Arrival declaration is still required for anyone flying in — either the Digital Pre-Arrival Card or the NA1 form, depending on how you're entering. It's a separate, non-negotiable step in your travel prep, on top of — not instead of — whatever visa process applies to you.
Which Form Do US Citizens Need: Digital Pre-Arrival Card or NA1 Form?
The form you need depends on how — not just whether — you're entering Vietnam.
Digital Pre-Arrival Card (Air Arrivals)
If US Citizens are flying into Vietnam, you'll need to submit the Digital Pre-Arrival Card — as of June 2026, the system covers every international airport in the country, not just the handful it first launched at. This applies whether you're visa-exempt, holding an e-visa, or using Visa on Arrival. Arriving by air is what triggers the requirement, not your visa type alone.
NA1 Form (Visa on Arrival, Land & Sea Entry)
The NA1 form is a separate, older entry/exit declaration. It's specifically required if:
- You're using Visa on Arrival (VOA) — in which case you submit the NA1 form along with your passport, approval letter, photos, and stamping fee at the airport VOA counter.
- You're entering Vietnam by land or sea, where the Digital Pre-Arrival Card hasn't been implemented.
If US passport holders are entering with an e-visa, you don't need the NA1 form at all — your e-visa serves as your entry document. But if you're using VOA at an airport, expect to complete both the NA1 form and the Digital Pre-Arrival Card.
Who Is Exempt
Not everyone needs to submit the Pre-Arrival declaration. You're exempt if:
- You're a Vietnamese citizen traveling on a Vietnamese passport.
- You're a transit passenger staying airside without clearing immigration.
- You're connecting domestically within Vietnam (for example, a domestic flight after your international leg).
Overseas Vietnamese entering on a visa are not exempt and must still submit the declaration.
Information US passport holders Need to Prepare
Before you sit down to fill out the form, have the following ready:
- Full name exactly as printed on your passport
- Passport number, nationality, date of birth, and gender
- Visa details: type (e-visa, bilateral/unilateral exemption, or temporary residence card), number, issue date, and expiry date
- Flight details: airline, flight number, and expected arrival date
- Departure location
- Purpose of entry (tourism, business, family visit, etc.)
- Accommodation address in Vietnam
- Intended departure date
If you're traveling with family, you can add them to the same declaration rather than filing separately.
One detail worth double-checking: US Citizens should confirm whether they fall under a bilateral or unilateral visa-exemption category, since selecting the wrong option in the dropdown is one of the most common submission errors.
How to Submit the Pre-Arrival Declaration — Step by Step
- Go to prearrival.immigration.gov.vn and select your preferred language.
- Click "Create and Submit Declaration" and complete the CAPTCHA.
- Enter your passenger information — name, passport number, date of birth, gender, and expected arrival date.
- Select your correct visa type and enter the relevant visa or exemption number, issue date, and expiry date.
- Add your flight and accommodation details, plus any accompanying family members.
- Review everything carefully — small errors in your accommodation address or passport details can cause complications later.
- Tick the confirmation box and submit.
- Save the QR code you receive by email. Screenshot it, download the PDF, and print a physical copy as backup.
Common Declaration Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the Pre-Arrival Card with Vietnam's separate health-declaration framework — they're run by different authorities and aren't always both active.
- Submitting outside the 72-hour window, either too early or too close to departure.
- Overlooking the overlap between your e-visa's validity start date and the submission window, which can limit exactly when you're able to submit.
- Picking the wrong visa-exemption category in the dropdown.
- Assuming the Pre-Arrival Card replaces the NA1 form when using Visa on Arrival — it doesn't; you may need both.
- Relying on airport wifi instead of saving an offline copy of your QR code.
- Assuming the Pre-Arrival Card counts as a visa. It doesn't — US Citizens still need a Vietnam e-visa or other valid visa arranged separately, on top of the free Pre-Arrival declaration.
What Happens at Vietnamese Immigration on Arrival
Once you land, present your passport and visa or exemption documents as usual, along with your Pre-Arrival QR code — digital or printed. The immigration officer scans the code to verify your pre-submitted details and stamps your passport. It's designed to be faster than the manual process, since your information is already on file.
If you arrive without having submitted the declaration in advance, you likely won't be turned away, but you should expect a longer wait while your details are entered manually at the counter.
More Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card Guides by Nationality
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for Chinese Citizens
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for Japanese Citizens
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for South Korean Citizens
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Card for Taiwanese Citizens
FAQ for US Citizens
Is the Pre-Arrival Declaration the same as an e-visa?
No. The Pre-Arrival declaration is a separate entry-processing tool. It doesn't replace your visa, e-visa, or VOA approval letter — you'll still need whichever of those applies to your nationality.
Do I have to pay to submit the declaration?
No. Submission through the official portal, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, is completely free.
When should I complete it before my flight?
Within 72 hours of your arrival — not earlier. It's best to submit it before you leave home rather than waiting until you're at the airport, since connectivity issues have caused delays for some travelers.
Can I update the information after submitting?
The sources reviewed for this guide didn't confirm an edit function, so it's best to review every field carefully before you tick the confirmation box and submit.
What if the online portal doesn't work?
Try clearing your browser cookies and retrying, particularly during high-traffic periods. Completing the form well before your departure date — rather than at the airport under time pressure — gives you room to work through any technical hiccups.
Do US Citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Yes, for most of the country. The United States isn't on Vietnam's visa-free list, so US Citizens need an e-visa (around $25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days) arranged online in advance. There's one notable exception: Vietnam offers a 30-day visa-free exemption specifically for travelers flying directly to Phu Quoc island and staying only there, open to every nationality regardless of normal visa requirements. Outside that narrow case, US Citizens visiting mainland Vietnam need a visa. Either way, the Digital Pre-Arrival Card is still a separate, additional requirement.