Don't know it and you'll get stopped? How to fill in the "Visa Number" for entering Vietnam｜A summary for tourists, residents, and accompanying family

✈️ Summary of the New Rules for Entering Vietnam (April 18, 2026 edition) ― So you won't be caught off guard at Tan Son Nhat Airport ― It still seems to be causing confusion, so I'd really like someone to make an easy-to-understand version, including a filled-out example... → Judging from the experiences of those who traveled outside Vietnam during the holidays, it seems that when returning to Vietnam it isn't strictly required yet. That said, there are also reports that those who did complete it were able to enter through a separate lane and get in faster. (As of May 4, 2025)

Since 2024–2025 and beyond, immigration control upon entry into Vietnam has become somewhat stricter. There are increasing cases where you are asked to fill in your "visa type" and "visa number" at airline check-in or upon entry. In particular, at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, an advance declaration system for foreign nationals entering the country will begin on April 15, 2026. The fact that notification from the Consulate-General of Japan arrived belatedly the following day, the 16th, suggests that this was quite a sudden change in procedure. There is still some confusion in the field, and the reality is that the barrier remains high for users. In addition, the official portal for the "Pre-arrival Declaration" operated by Vietnam's Immigration Department has also been made public. By registering your information before arrival and obtaining a QR code, the system is designed to make immigration screening go more smoothly. 👉 Click here for the official Pre-arrival Declaration portal However, this system has only just begun operating, and It seems that operations in the field currently show some inconsistency, and that we are in a transitional period. This "Pre-arrival (advance declaration)" does not have a dedicated page clearly consolidated into a single location; rather, it is operated within the electronic procedures system of the Immigration Bureau (Ministry of Public Security). For this reason, even if you search for "prearrival," it is difficult to reach the official page directly, and this is one of the causes of the confusion. It might give you peace of mind to make a note of the URL in advance. 👉 There are some cases where it isn't strictly required at this point, but with an eye toward future standardization, it seems that by pre-registering and obtaining a QR code in advance, the immigration inspection process becomes smoother... ✔ So, first let's get a firm grasp of this point. Statuses at entry can be divided into three categories. Category Visa Number to write Tourism e-Visa Registration Code Residence (accompanying family) TRC Card number Employment DN / LĐ Visa number 👉 Common: You should assume that the number must always be filled in (leaving it blank is a no-go). 　　If you happen to pass without any issues... well, just consider yourself lucky. ① How to fill it in for sightseeing (travelers) Visa type: E-VISA Visa No.: (the number on your e-Visa) Purpose: TOURISM ▼Key points Write the number shown on the e-Visa PDF exactly as it is. The purpose is basically TOURISM. 👉 ※ It seems to work with "VISIT" as well, but for sightseeing, TOURISM is the clearest. ② How to write it for residents / accompanying family (with TRC) Visa type: TRC (TT) Visa No.: (card number) Purpose: FAMILY VISIT ▼ Points "TT" = accompanying (family) The "Số thẻ / No" on the card is the number The TRC serves as a substitute for a visa 👉 Important point!　　　Residents should NOT choose TOURISM ③ How to fill in for Work (Business) Visa type : DN (Enterprise) or LĐ (Labor) Visa No. : (visa number) Purpose : BUSINESS How to write the address (common) Hotel name + district Or 👉 a company name is also OK 👉 A detailed address is not necessary ⚠️ Common mistakes Not writing the visa number Choosing TOURISM even though you are a resident Writing DN when it's actually TT Assuming no visa is needed for tourism ✔ By the way, TRC is Temporary Residence Card Residence Card, Temporary Card, and so on — these are just different names for the same thing. At the airport, it seems they mainly look at these two points: "Is there a number?" and "Your status (which entry category)" — and whether these two match. Summary (most important) 👉 Tourism → TOURISM + always write the number 👉 Accompanying family → FAMILY VISIT + always write the number 👉 Work → BUSINESS + always write the number And finally… Filling it out in a rush at the airport is quite a hassle. The connection is often unstable too, and it seems there may even be a time limit (send within so many minutes)… 👉 I recommend making a note of the details in advance. Just this alone makes a huge difference in how smoothly you get through immigration. So, let me sum it up again below, including the pitfalls. Basic entry rules that are easy to get wrong ■ Full Name Exactly matching your passport (uppercase, surname → given name) ■ Date of Birth: Day → Month (in English) → Year 　　Example: 1 JUN 1998 🔴 Most important: How to fill in the Visa section (double-check) This is the point where most people get confused. If you're unsure, just write it as follows! ■ For tourism Visa type : E-VISA Visa No. : (the e-Visa number) 👉 Enter exactly the number shown on the e-Visa PDF. ■ For residents (accompanying family, etc. / with a TRC) Visa type: TRC (TT = accompanying, meaning family) Visa No.: (Card number) 👉 Write the number in the "No." field of the card. "Số thẻ / No" ■ In the case of employment Visa type: DN or LĐ Visa No.: (Visa number) ⚠️ Here's what can happen at the airport Just being short one document can leave you waiting for over 30 minutes. You may even be stopped at the check-in stage. 👉 Be especially careful before weekends and holidays, as it gets crowded. [Summary] First, confirm your status of entry (tourism, residence, or work). Write down your visa number. If you have a TRC, write down your card number. 👉 "Just write down a number, no matter what" — don't leave it blank. This is probably the single most important point. It's easy once you understand it, so the key is not to leave things vague or gray. When entry goes smoothly, your travel and stay afterward become much easier, too. With just a little preparation, you can cut down on unnecessary stress. VIET JO also has an explanation with illustrations, so please refer to this one as well! Tan Son Nhat Airport launches an advance declaration registration system for foreign entry (VIET JO) Immigrant Life Ranking