CMC visa-free entry — 3 operational scenarios, all 12 airports
Airline crew members holding a valid Crew Member Certificate (CMC) and arriving on active flight duty with a scheduled commercial airline are granted visa-free entry into Vietnam under three specific operational scenarios. This program aligns with ICAO Annex 9 standards and is administered by the Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security). For charter and private flight crew, different rules apply — an e-visa or pre-arranged visa approval letter is typically required (see dedicated section below). T&T Aviation manages all crew immigration pre-notification, document verification, visa applications, and fast-track clearance at all 12 international airports.
Important Restriction — CMC visa-free entry is strictly for active flight duty on scheduled commercial airlines only. Charter and private flight crew typically require an e-visa (USD 25 single / USD 50 multiple, 3–5 working days) or a pre-arranged visa approval letter — unless the crew member holds a passport from a country with a bilateral crew visa exemption agreement with Vietnam. It cannot be used for personal holidays or after leaving airline employment. Contact T&T Aviation to verify your crew's specific entry requirements.
These scenarios apply to scheduled commercial airline crew holding a valid CMC on active flight duty. For charter and private flight crew, see the dedicated section below.
Crew arrives on an international flight operated by their airline and departs on another international flight operated by the same airline. This is the most common scenario for scheduled commercial airlines with regular flights to Vietnam. The crew enters visa-free using their valid CMC and passport. Immigration clearance is immediate — no visa application required. T&T Aviation submits crew manifest to immigration in advance for zero-wait processing.
Crew arrives as commercial passengers (deadheading) on any airline to position for operating a departing flight from Vietnam. For example, a pilot flies in as a passenger on Vietnam Airlines to then operate a Qatar Airways flight departing Hanoi. The crew must present their valid CMC, the airline's trip sheet or flight assignment letter, and their deadhead ticket. Immigration grants visa-free entry for the specific purpose of operating the departing flight.
Crew arrives on active duty operating a flight into Vietnam and then repositions out as commercial passengers — for instance, after delivering an aircraft or completing a one-way charter. Immigration grants visa-free entry for the inbound duty segment and allows departure as a passenger. The airline's introduction letter confirming the crew's duty status and repositioning plan is required.
Unlike scheduled commercial airline crew, charter and private flight crew members are typically not eligible for CMC visa-free entry under the standard ICAO Annex 9 provisions. An e-visa or pre-arranged visa approval letter is required unless the crew member holds a passport from a country with a bilateral crew visa exemption agreement.
T&T Aviation handles everything — We manage the entire visa process for your charter and private flight crew: document verification, e-visa application submission, urgent pre-arranged visa letters, and coordination with the Vietnam Immigration Department. Simply provide crew details 24–72 hours before arrival and we ensure seamless entry at any of Vietnam's 12 international airports.
Minimum 6 months validity from entry date with at least 1 blank page for entry/exit stamps
Valid airline-issued CMC or crew ID card — primary document proving active employment status
Flight-specific document listing all crew members on board, submitted by the airline
Official airline document showing crew assignment, flight numbers, and dates
On airline letterhead, confirming the crew member's employment and purpose of entry into Vietnam
Vietnam maintains bilateral crew visa exemption agreements with the following countries/territories. Crew members holding passports from these countries may be eligible for visa-free entry even on charter and private flights — an important exception to the standard e-visa requirement for non-scheduled operations. T&T Aviation verifies eligibility on a per-flight basis.
Delta Air Lines
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Asiana Airlines
Air France
Qatar Airways
Jetstar Airways
Aeroflot
Uzbekistan Airways
Cathay Pacific
Air Astana
LOT Polish Airlines
Cargolux
As of June 2026, all foreign travelers — including crew — arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) must complete the free digital pre-arrival declaration at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn within 72 hours before arrival. This is a pilot program that will expand to other airports (Noi Bai, Da Nang, etc.) in subsequent phases. T&T Aviation ensures all crew complete this declaration in advance.
Understanding these boundaries is critical for smooth crew entry
CMC entry is strictly for crew on active flight duty assignments. It cannot be used for personal holidays, leisure travel, or visiting family in Vietnam. Immigration officers verify flight schedules and crew manifests at the checkpoint.
Under Scenario 1, both the arriving and departing flights must be operated by the same airline (same AOC). A pilot from Airline A arriving on duty cannot use CMC entry to depart on Airline B without falling into Scenario 2 or 3 rules.
If a crew member has resigned or been terminated from the airline, their CMC becomes invalid immediately — even if the physical card has not expired. Attempting entry with an invalid CMC constitutes immigration fraud and can result in detention and deportation.
Crew members visiting Vietnam for personal reasons (holiday, family, job interview) must apply for a standard e-visa (USD 25 single entry / USD 50 multiple entry, 3–5 working days) or use their country's visa exemption if eligible. The CMC cannot substitute for a tourist visa.
As of June 2026, a digital pre-arrival declaration is being piloted at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN). Crew arriving at SGN must complete it at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn within 72 hours. The program will expand to other airports in phases. T&T Aviation guides all crew through this process.
Crew manifests, passport copies, and CMC details submitted to Immigration 24–48h before arrival
CMC validity, passport expiry, and bilateral exemption eligibility checked in advance
Priority immigration lanes pre-arranged — crew bypass standard queues (1–3h during peak)
General Declaration paperwork processed at airport — airline staff freed from administrative burden
All crew guided through pre-arrival declaration (currently SGN pilot) at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
Real-time assistance at all 12 international airports — any crew immigration issue resolved immediately
A Crew Member Certificate (CMC) is an official document issued by an airline or civil aviation authority that certifies the holder is an active crew member (pilot, cabin crew, flight engineer) employed by that airline.
For Vietnam entry, the CMC — combined with a valid passport and flight assignment documentation — serves as the legal basis for visa-free entry under three specific operational scenarios.
Note: The CMC is recognized by Vietnam Immigration as a crew identification document under ICAO Annex 9 standards. It must be valid (not expired) and the crew member must be on active duty for the airline that issued it.
Crew members from scheduled commercial airlines entering visa-free under CMC are typically granted a stay permit matching the duration of their flight assignment — usually 24–72 hours for standard layovers, or up to the duration of their operational duty.
Charter and private flight crew entering on an e-visa may stay up to 90 days.
For longer assignments (e.g., technical crew stationed for aircraft maintenance), T&T Aviation coordinates with immigration to arrange extended stay permits on a case-by-case basis. If a crew member wishes to stay beyond their permitted period, they must exit Vietnam and re-enter on an appropriate visa.
Yes — under Scenario 2, crew arriving as commercial passengers (deadheading) to position for operating a departing flight may enter visa-free.
They must present the following required documentation:
• Valid passport
• Valid CMC
• The airline's trip sheet or flight assignment letter confirming duty
• Deadhead ticket
Immigration verifies that the deadheading purpose is specifically to operate a departing flight. Crew deadheading for training, meetings, or other non-operational purposes do NOT qualify and must obtain an e-visa.
Crew arriving without a valid CMC, expired passport, or missing flight documentation will be denied visa-free entry. This applies to both commercial and charter crew.
Emergency options include:
1. Urgent e-visa application (may not be possible for same-day).
2. Urgent pre-arranged visa letter via T&T's immigration liaison (as fast as 2–4 hours).
3. Remain in the international transit area and depart on the next available flight.
T&T Aviation strongly advises all airlines to submit crew documentation for pre-verification at least 24–48 hours before arrival.
Vietnam maintains bilateral crew visa exemption agreements with several countries/territories.
Confirmed participants include: United States, Japan, South Korea, France, Qatar, Australia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Luxembourg.
Crew members from these countries may qualify for visa-free entry even on charter and private flights — a critical exception to the standard e-visa requirement for non-scheduled operations.
This is separate from the universal CMC program for scheduled commercial crew. T&T Aviation verifies eligibility for each specific crew member and flight operation.
T&T Aviation acts as the airline's ground agent for all crew immigration formalities:
• Pre-submission of crew manifests and passport copies to Vietnam Immigration 24–48 hours before arrival.
• Verification of CMC validity and bilateral exemption eligibility for both commercial and charter crew.
• Full e-visa application handling and urgent pre-arranged visa letters for charter/private flight crew.
• Coordination of fast-track immigration lanes so crew bypass standard queues.
• Handling of General Declaration (GenDec) paperwork at the airport.
• Real-time assistance if any crew member encounters immigration issues.
• Ensuring crew arriving at SGN complete the digital pre-arrival declaration.
This service is available at all 12 international airports in Vietnam.