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Vietnam Digital Arrival Card for UK Travellers: Not a Visa — What to Know Before You Fly

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Stand: 4 August 2026. If you are flying to Vietnam on a British passport, your visa decision (45-day visa-free entry or an eVisa) is not the only pre-arrival step to watch. Vietnam also encourages many travellers to complete a Digital Arrival Card online before landing — especially via Tan Son Nhat (SGN). It is not a visa.

Short answer

  • From 15 April 2026, foreign nationals entering via Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) are encouraged to complete a digital arrival card online before arrival (GOV.UK).
  • It is not currently a mandatory requirement for entry via Tan Son Nhat — but this may change, or roll out to other airports, with limited notice.
  • Official form: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/
  • Completing it does not replace the 45-day visa exemption rules or a Vietnam eVisa when you need one.

What the Digital Arrival Card is (and is not)

The Digital Arrival Card is a pre-arrival information step for immigration processing. Completing it does not grant visa-free stay, and it does not replace an eVisa or other visa.

Think of the split this way:

Document / path What it does
45-day visa exemption (UK passport · tourism/business) Whether you need a visa for a short stay
Vietnam eVisa Electronic permission when a visa path applies (for example longer stays)
Digital Arrival Card Pre-arrival information form — not a visa

When and where to file

  • When / who (GOV.UK framing): from 15 April 2026, foreign nationals entering via Tan Son Nhat (SGN) are encouraged to complete the card online before arrival.
  • Mandatory today? GOV.UK says it is not currently mandatory for SGN entry. Rules can change quickly — re-check GOV.UK and the official form close to travel.
  • Where (official DIY): https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/

Prefer that official Immigration channel for DIY filing. If other airports later require the same form, follow the live Vietnamese Immigration / GOV.UK wording — do not rely on outdated blog summaries alone.

How this relates to visa-free entry and eVisa

Most UK leisure travellers for short trips may use the 45-day visa-free path. That is a separate decision from the Digital Arrival Card. Guide: Vietnam visa exemption for UK passports.

If you need a longer stay or the 90-day multiple-entry eVisa option, that is also separate — start with the Vietnam eVisa guide.

Passport basics still apply either way (GOV.UK): expiry at least 6 months after arrival, 2 blank pages, and the same passport for entry and exit.

You may need both a valid entry permission path (visa-free stamp or eVisa/other visa) and a completed Digital Arrival Card when the arrival-card step applies to your airport/route.

How 1avisas.co.uk can help

1avisas.co.uk can assist with Digital Arrival Card form filing (arrival information — not a visa) and with Vietnam eVisa electronic application help when you need a visa path.

  • Offered: digital arrival form filing assistance · Vietnam eVisa application help
  • Not offered: sticker visas or consulate appointment services

→ Start on 1avisas.co.uk · or file DIY on prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.

FAQ

Is the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card a visa?

No. It is arrival information. It does not replace visa-free entry rules or an eVisa.

Is it mandatory?

GOV.UK: for entry via Tan Son Nhat (SGN) it is encouraged from 15 April 2026 and not currently mandatory. That may change — check again before you fly.

Where do I file it?

Official DIY: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/. Form help is also available via 1avisas.co.uk.

Do I still need to follow eVisa or 45-day exemption rules?

Yes. The arrival card does not decide whether you need a visa. See the exemption guide and eVisa guide.

Sources

→ Back to Vietnam hub

Important notice

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 1avisas.co.uk is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.

Entry and arrival-card rules can change. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information, and we do not guarantee entry approval. Only the official rules in force at the time of your travel are authoritative.

As of: 4 August 2026

For binding information, check GOV.UK Vietnam entry requirements and Vietnam Immigration guidance (Sources above).