Full Name (as in passport) — Full Name (as in passport): how to fill?

Must match the romanized spelling on your passport exactly, including capitalization and spaces. Do not use Chinese characters or nicknames. If your passport has multiple given names, enter all in order. Common pitfall: omitting middle names or using abbreviations.

Passport Number — Passport Number: how to fill?

Enter the alphanumeric code from the passport biodata page (e.g., C1234567). Do not include spaces or hyphens. Verify it matches the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the page. Pitfall: confusing it with the visa number.

Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY) — Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY): how to fill?

Use the day/month/year format (e.g., 15/04/1990). Do not use the US month/day/year format. If unsure, check the passport biodata page. Common pitfall: swapping day and month, especially on days 1-12 of the month.

Arrival Flight Number — Arrival Flight Number: how to fill?

Enter the flight number of the flight arriving in Vietnam (e.g., VN 123 or SQ 178). If connecting, use the final flight that lands in Vietnam, not the departure flight. For land borders, select 'Land' and enter the border gate name. Do not enter seat numbers or airline names.

Purpose of Visit — Purpose of Visit: how to fill?

Choose the option that best matches your situation: Tourism, Business, Visiting Relatives, Transit, etc. If you hold an e-visa, select 'Tourism' or 'Business' depending on the visa type. Do not select 'Transit' unless you leave within 24 hours without entering Vietnam. Important: the purpose must match your e-visa type, or you risk being denied entry.

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Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information (PAI)

Arrival Card Asia | Khai báo thông tin trước khi nhập cảnh (PAI)

Last updated

August 12, 2026

✈️ Before You Go

Before you land in Vietnam, don’t fall for sketchy third-party websites charging a fee—the official Pre-Arrival Information (PAI) form is completely free. Every traveler, regardless of nationality or visa type, must complete this digital declaration within 24 hours before your flight departs. The actual process takes less than five minutes: you’ll enter passport details, flight info, and basic health questions. What surprises most first-timers is that the form isn’t tied to your visa approval—it’s a separate, purely administrative step, and you won’t be allowed through immigration without your PAI QR code, so screenshot it immediately after submission. Here’s the insider tip: fill it out on the official Vietnam Immigration website or the dedicated “Vietnam PAI” mobile app, not through a random search link. Do it right after you check in at your departure airport, when you have your exact seat number and flight code handy—that way, you avoid the frantic scramble in the middle of the night when you realize the form needs your arrival terminal. Keep the QR code saved offline; airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable, and the last thing you want is to be stuck in the queue without it.

⚠️ Important Notes

⏰

Fill Time Window

Submit online within 72 hours before arrival. QR code generated and scanned at immigration.

💰

Cost

Free

• 1. Never pay any fee for the PAI form — the official website prearrival.immigration.gov.vn is completely free, and any site charging money is a scam.
• 2. Double-check your passport number, name spelling, and date of birth before submitting — even a single typo can lead to entry denial, and you cannot correct it at the airport.
• 3. Use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, or Safari with JavaScript enabled — older browsers or disabled scripts may cause form validation or submission failures.
• 4. Complete the form using your mobile data before relying on airport free Wi-Fi — airport networks are unstable and can interrupt submission, and you need to submit at least 12 hours before landing.
• 5. After successful submission, immediately download or screenshot the confirmation page with the QR code, and save it in both your phone gallery and email — without the QR code, you may be asked to refill or face extra checks.
• 6. Remember that PAI is NOT a visa — you still need a valid e-visa or visa exemption; PAI is only a pre-arrival information declaration and cannot replace any visa document.
• 7. Enter your flight number exactly as on your ticket (e.g., VN123), not a generic name — an incorrect flight number prevents the system from matching your arrival details.
• 8. If you change your flight or accommodation address after submission, you must resubmit a new PAI — the old information becomes invalid, and the new submission overrides it.
• 9. Do not wait until the last minute — official recommendation is to complete it within 48 hours before departure, but at least 12 hours prior, otherwise the system may delay processing or show errors.
• 10. If you fail to complete the PAI, you may still be allowed entry, but you will be required to fill out a paper form at immigration, face additional questioning, and wait in longer lines — completing it early saves at least 30 minutes.

📋 Field Guide

Field Name	Tips & Notes
`Full Name (as in passport)` Full Name (as in passport)	Must match the romanized spelling on your passport exactly, including capitalization and spaces. Do not use Chinese characters or nicknames. If your passport has multiple given names, enter all in order. Common pitfall: omitting middle names or using abbreviations.
`Passport Number` Passport Number	Enter the alphanumeric code from the passport biodata page (e.g., C1234567). Do not include spaces or hyphens. Verify it matches the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the page. Pitfall: confusing it with the visa number.
`Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)` Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)	Use the day/month/year format (e.g., 15/04/1990). Do not use the US month/day/year format. If unsure, check the passport biodata page. Common pitfall: swapping day and month, especially on days 1-12 of the month.
`Arrival Flight Number` Arrival Flight Number	Enter the flight number of the flight arriving in Vietnam (e.g., VN 123 or SQ 178). If connecting, use the final flight that lands in Vietnam, not the departure flight. For land borders, select 'Land' and enter the border gate name. Do not enter seat numbers or airline names.
`Purpose of Visit` Purpose of Visit	Choose the option that best matches your situation: Tourism, Business, Visiting Relatives, Transit, etc. If you hold an e-visa, select 'Tourism' or 'Business' depending on the visa type. Do not select 'Transit' unless you leave within 24 hours without entering Vietnam. Important: the purpose must match your e-visa type, or you risk being denied entry.

Visit Official Site

Free to use Last Confirmed: August 12, 2026

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