Vietnam e-Visa and PAI Arrival Declaration 2026: Get the Order Right

The thing that catches travellers out in Vietnam is not the visa itself - it is the order. The e-Visa and the PAI arrival declaration are two separate items, you need both, and you cannot file PAI until the visa number is in hand. This guide covers the 2026 process, fees, timing limits and the most common reasons applications get rejected.

Information checked July 2026. Entry rules change, so confirm on the official Vietnamese government sites before you travel.

What you need for Vietnam in 2026, in order

• 1️⃣ e-Visa: official site evisa.gov.vn, US$25, roughly three working days to process
• 2️⃣ PAI arrival declaration: only possible once you have the visa number, and only within 72 hours of arrival
• 3️⃣ Health declaration: present the QR code if asked at the border

The common mistake is trying to do it all in one sitting. PAI asks for your visa number, so it cannot be completed before the visa is approved - and PAI itself is locked to a 72-hour window. In practice that means the visa should be applied for early and PAI filed late. Submit the e-Visa as soon as the trip is booked, then file PAI a day or two before departure.

How to apply for the Vietnam e-Visa: cost and documents

You can apply directly on the Vietnamese Immigration Department site without an agent. The official portal is evisa.gov.vn and the fee is US$25, paid online by international credit card.

The e-Visa is single entry with a validity of up to 90 days. The most common rejection reasons are photo specifications - background not white enough, shadows, or a photo that is not recent - and a blurred passport scan. Checking both before submitting saves several days.

What is the PAI arrival declaration, and how is it different from the visa?

PAI (Pre-arrival Information) is the Vietnamese Immigration Department's online pre-arrival declaration. Once filed it produces a QR code that speeds up the border check.

PAI is not a visa and does not replace one. It is a separate declaration, and both are required. Because the form asks for a visa number, the order is always visa first, PAI second.

• ⏰ Can only be filed within 3 days (72 hours) of arrival - filing earlier is not possible
• 📱 Screenshot or print the QR code to present at the border
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Travel companions each need their own declaration, with names matching their passports

This is the step most people miss - having sorted the visa, they assume they are done, then get asked for PAI at the counter. Put it in the calendar for a day or two before departure. A Vietnam eSIM means you are connected on landing if anything needs re-checking or re-opening.

What to have with you on arrival in Vietnam

• 📕 Passport, valid for at least six months
• 📄 Colour printout of the e-Visa
• 📱 PAI QR code (screenshot or printed)
• 🩺 Health declaration QR code, if requested

With everything in order, clearing immigration usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Keep all the QR codes in one album folder on your phone so you are not searching for them in the queue.

Vietnam entry FAQ

Are the Vietnam e-Visa and PAI the same thing?

No. The e-Visa is the visa that determines whether you may enter; PAI is a pre-arrival declaration that speeds up the border check. Both are required, and you need the visa number before you can file PAI.

How much does the Vietnam e-Visa cost and how long does it take?

The official fee is US$25, paid by credit card at evisa.gov.vn, and processing takes about three working days. Apply as soon as the trip is booked rather than close to departure.

How early can I file the PAI declaration?

Only within 3 days (72 hours) of arrival - the system will not accept it earlier. File it a day or two before departure and save a screenshot.

Why do Vietnam e-Visa applications get rejected?

Photo specification problems - background not white enough, shadows, or an old photo - and blurred passport scans are the two most common causes. Check both before submitting.

Will I have a problem at the border without mobile data?

You can screenshot the QR codes and show them offline. But once through, taxis, accommodation and staying in touch with your group all need a connection, so arrange a Vietnam eSIM before you fly.

Bottom line

The rule to remember: apply for the e-Visa first, then file PAI once you have the visa number, and PAI only opens within 72 hours of arrival. Print the e-Visa in colour, screenshot the PAI and health declaration QR codes, and immigration is straightforward.

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