Effective April 15, 2026, Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) officially launched the Pre-Arrival Information system (PAI), a mandatory digital declaration for international travelers arriving in Ho Chi Minh City. Below is a step-by-step guide to completing the PAI declaration before your flight.
What is the PAI system?
PAI is an electronic passenger declaration program that collects traveler information before departure rather than upon arrival at the airport. Think of it as a digital arrival card, submitted online in advance, eliminating the need for paper forms at the immigration counter.
The system collects three categories of information:
- Identity information: passport details, nationality, and personal data
- Legal information: visa type, visa exemption status, and entry authorization
- Accommodation information: intended place of stay in Vietnam
Pre-arrival online declaration interface
Who is required to complete it
The PAI declaration is mandatory for:
- Foreign nationals entering Vietnam at Tan Son Nhat International Airport
- Overseas Vietnamese traveling on a foreign passport
Note: The PAI system is currently applicable to arrivals at Tan Son Nhat (SGN) only. It is not yet required at Noi Bai (HAN) or Da Nang (DAD), though an expansion to other airports is anticipated.
How to complete the PAI declaration
The process involves 4 steps on the official portal and takes approximately 5 minutes if your travel details are ready:
- Enter your passport details, nationality, and entry document information.
- Provide your country of departure, flight number, arrival date, and accommodation address in Vietnam
- Check all details carefully, request a 6-digit OTP code sent to your registered email, and enter it to confirm submission
- Once your submission is confirmed, the system generates a QR code linked to your declaration. Save it to your phone or print a hard copy and present it to immigration officers upon arrival at SGN
Tan Son Nhat has introduced a dedicated priority immigration lane for travelers who complete the PAI declaration in advance, a meaningful advantage at one of Southeast Asia’s busiest airports.
Important notes before you submit
The single most frequent issue during the PAI pilot was travelers entering incorrect flight codes, which prevented their information from matching airline data. Always copy your flight number directly from your booking confirmation rather than typing it from memory.
During the pilot phase, immigration authorities identified multiple fraudulent websites impersonating the official PAI portal and attempting to steal credit card information from travelers. The only legitimate portal for PAI submission is: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
Regardless of whether you are entering Vietnam on an e-visa or via visa on arrival, completing the PAI declaration before your flight is mandatory for all international travelers arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
If you apply through SimpleVietnamVisa, our team will complete your PAI declaration accurately and on time, at no additional cost. One less thing to worry about before your flight, and a faster entry when you land at SGN.
- Phone/WhatsApp: (+84) 856 598 868
- Email: info@simplevietnamvisa.com
Frequently Asked Questions
The process takes approximately 5 minutes if all your travel details are ready. Complete it within 72 hours before your scheduled arrival.
Return to the portal, verify your flight code against your booking confirmation, and resubmit.
Submission terminals are available at SGN on arrival, but completing it at the airport adds processing time and means you will not benefit from the priority immigration lane.
