Digital pre-arrival checks now cover SGN

Vietnam now requires foreign arrivals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City to file a free digital pre-arrival declaration before landing. The system replaced paper forms on April 15, 2026 and immigration officials say it's meant to cut queues and speed up clearance.

The rule applies only at SGN for now. Foreign nationals on e-visas, visas or visa exemptions must complete it, along with overseas Vietnamese entering on visas. Vietnamese passport holders and airside transit passengers are exempt.

Who needs to file

Tourists, expats and frequent entrants using 90-day multiple-entry e-visas all fall under the new step when they arrive through SGN. One form can cover a group and the portal issues a QR code for immigration.

The declaration asks for passport details, flight information, nationality, accommodation in Vietnam, purpose of visit and visa number. Travelers can fill it out on a phone or computer, then show the QR code digitally or on paper at the counter.

What nomads and travelers should do

The form can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival and official on-site QR codes are available at SGN if someone misses the deadline. That fallback may still mean delays, so advance filing is the safer option for nomads on tight schedules and expats carrying more than a carry-on.

Use only the official portal and ignore third-party sites. The airport process is part of a broader push to digitize entry procedures and travelers can also check our visa updates page for related policy changes. Read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture.