Vietnam is gradually expanding its digital arrival card system for international travelers.
Since June 1, 2026, foreign passengers entering Vietnam through Phu Quoc International Airport must submit their information online before arrival through the official portal, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
The requirement is part of the rollout of the PAI system, short for Pre-arrival Information, which has been tested since April 15, 2026, at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The stated goal is to streamline arrival checks, reduce waiting times at border control and speed up the processing of international passengers.
The expansion to Phu Quoc is now reflected directly on the declaration portal. Flights to Phu Quoc International Airport are available in the form, while the Phu Quoc visa exemption appears among the entry visa policies that travelers can select.
A declaration to complete before arriving in Phu Quoc
The declaration can be completed up to three days before the flight’s departure for Vietnam. Passengers must access the official portal or scan the QR code available at check-in counters when provided by airlines or authorities.
Once on the website, travelers select their preferred language and then choose the option to create and submit pre-arrival information. The form then asks for the passenger’s personal details, passport information, flight details and information related to the visa or entry policy being used.
For passengers entering Phu Quoc under the island’s local visa exemption policy, the option to select under the visa type or purpose section is “Phu Quoc Visa Exemption.” Travelers must then provide details of their accommodation in Vietnam, review the information entered and submit the declaration.
Once the process is complete, the system generates a QR code confirming that the declaration has been registered. Passengers must keep this QR code, either by saving it on their phone or taking a screenshot, so they can present it to immigration officers upon arrival at Phu Quoc Airport.
Passport, flight and accommodation: Information to prepare
Before starting the declaration, travelers should have a passport valid for more than six months, their flight details, the address of their accommodation in Vietnam and a personal email address.
This email address is used to receive notifications related to the declaration. Authorities recommend that passengers avoid waiting until the last minute to complete the form, in order to reduce the risk of issues at check-in or upon arrival.
The pre-arrival declaration does not replace immigration control. It allows travelers to submit their information in advance and helps facilitate processing on arrival, but passengers remain subject to checks of their passport, entry policy and stay conditions by Vietnamese authorities.
Phu Quoc has a special visa exemption policy
Phu Quoc has a specific entry policy within Vietnam.
All foreign travelers may, under certain conditions, stay on the island without a visa for up to 30 days. This exemption applies to visitors traveling to Phu Quoc for a stay limited to the island, without onward travel to the rest of Vietnam.
This rule should be distinguished from the e-Visa, which allows broader travel within Vietnam when the trip includes other destinations in the country. Travelers planning to combine Phu Quoc with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang or any other destination in Vietnam should therefore check whether they qualify for a national exemption, an electronic visa or another entry category.
The addition of the “Phu Quoc Visa Exemption” option in the PAI system is important for eligible passengers. It allows them to complete the pre-arrival declaration without selecting a standard visa, provided their itinerary meets the conditions of the exemption that applies to the island.
A new entry point in the PAI rollout
With Phu Quoc, Vietnam is continuing the rollout of its digital arrival procedures. The PAI system is designed to collect passenger data before arrival, following the model of digital declarations already introduced or tested in several Asian countries.
For travelers, the change is practical but important: entering through Phu Quoc now requires completing the online form before the flight. Passengers should therefore check their eligibility for the entry policy they intend to use, prepare their travel details and keep the QR code generated by the portal.
Airlines and departure agents may also ask for proof of declaration before boarding, especially for travelers using Phu Quoc’s specific visa exemption.
