In this article
The Golden Rule – The one passport mistake that will ruin your trip before it starts
The "Scam Site" Warning – How to spot fake visa portals that look real
Country-by-Country Breakdown – Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia
The "Baby" Question – Do infants need visas? (Spoiler: Yes)
The 2025 Updates – New ETA systems and digital arrival cards you need to know about
Quick Reference Links – The actual government websites, not the agencies
You have booked the flights. You have packed the diapers. You have the hotel reservation.
But do you have the QR code that lets you cross the border?
In 2025, Southeast Asia is easier to visit than ever, but it is also more digital. The days of just showing up with a passport are fading. Now, it’s about ETAs (Electronic Travel Authorisations), MDACs (Digital Arrival Cards), and E-Visas.
If you miss one digital form, you don’t get on the plane.
Here is the definitive guide to getting your family legally into Southeast Asia, current as of December 2025.
The Golden Rule: The "6-Month" Law
Before you read another word, go find your kids' passports. Open them to the photo page. Look at the expiration date.
Does the passport expire within 6 months of your return date?
If the answer is yes, you cannot travel.
This is not a suggestion. It is a hard law in almost every Southeast Asian country. Airlines will deny you boarding at your home airport. We have seen families turned away at check-in because a toddler's passport expired in 5 months and 2 weeks.
Check it now. Renew it if it's close.
The "Scam Site" Warning
If you Google "Vietnam E-Visa," the first four results are ads for agencies that look like official government sites. They will charge you $80 for a $25 visa.
The Rule: If the website ends in .com or .org, be suspicious. Official government sites usually end in .gov.vn, .go.th, .go.id, or .gov.sg.
We have linked only the official government portals below.
🇹🇭 Thailand: The "Easy" Entry (With a Catch)
The Status: Most Western families (US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia) get Visa Exemption on arrival.
The 2025 Change: In mid-2024, Thailand extended the visa exemption from 30 days to 60 days. This is a huge win for families wanting a long summer break.
The Visa: Visa Exemption (stamp on arrival).
Cost: Free.
Duration: 60 Days (extendable for 30 more at a local immigration office).
The "Coming Soon" Alert: Thailand is piloting an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system.2 As of late 2025, check if this is mandatory for your nationality before flying. It’s a pre-travel digital registration similar to Singapore’s.
Official Portal (for E-Visas if not exempt): Thai E-Visa Official
🇻🇳 Vietnam: The E-Visa Essential
The Status: You must apply before you fly. There is no "Visa on Arrival" for most tourists without a pre-approval letter.
The Rule: Vietnam now offers a 90-Day Multi-Entry E-Visa to citizens of all countries.3
The Visa: E-Visa.
Cost: ~$25 USD (Single Entry) / ~$50 USD (Multi Entry).
Processing Time: 3-5 Business Days.
The Family Warning: Do not wait until the last minute. "3 business days" often turns into 5 if there is a holiday. Apply at least two weeks out. Every family member, including newborns, needs their own E-Visa application.
Official Portal: Vietnam National Web Portal on Immigration (Note: This site looks like it was built in 1998. It is the real one.)
🇮🇩 Indonesia (Bali): The "Pay to Play"
The Status: Easy, but not free. Most travelers need a Visa on Arrival (VOA).
The Rule: You can queue up and pay at the airport, or apply for an E-VOA beforehand to skip the line (highly recommended with kids).
The Visa: B1 Visa on Arrival (VOA).4
Cost: 500,000 IDR (approx. $35 USD).
The Tourist Levy: Don't forget the separate Bali Tourist Levy (150,000 IDR / ~$10 USD) which must be paid by every traveler (including kids) entering Bali.
Duration: 30 Days (extendable once for 30 more).
The Family Warning: The E-VOA website can be glitchy with photo uploads. Ensure your passport scans are under 200kb and clear.
Official Portal: Molina Imigrasi Indonesia
Official Tourist Levy: Love Bali
🇲🇾 Malaysia: The Digital Gatekeeper
The Status: Visa-free for most Western countries for 90 days.
The 2025 Trap: While you don't need a visa, you MUST fill out the MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card).5
The Requirement: MDAC registration.
Cost: Free.
Timeline: Must be filled out 3 days before arrival.
The Family Warning: Many airlines will ask to see your MDAC confirmation email at check-in. If you haven't done it, you'll be frantically filling out forms on your phone at the counter.
Official Portal: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
🇸🇬 Singapore: The "Not-a-Visa" Card
The Status: Visa-free for almost everyone (US/UK/CAN/EU/AUS).
The Requirement: The SG Arrival Card (SGAC). This is strictly enforced.
The Requirement: Digital health and arrival declaration.
Cost: Free. (If a site asks you to pay, it is a scam).
Timeline: Submit up to 3 days before arrival.
The Family Warning: You can submit a "Group Submission" for the whole family at once. This saves you typing the hotel address four times.
Official Portal: ICA SG Arrival Card
🇰🇭 Cambodia: The Quick & Easy
The Status: Visa on Arrival is available, but the E-Visa saves time.
The Visa: Tourist Visa (T class).6
Cost: ~$36 USD (E-Visa) / $30 USD (at airport).
Duration: 30 Days.
The Family Warning: If you do Visa on Arrival at the airport, bring crisp, new US Dollars. They will reject bills with even a tiny tear or mark. E-Visa is safer to avoid currency drama.
Official Portal: Kingdom of Cambodia E-Visa
The "Baby" Question: Do Infants Need Visas?
YES.
We get asked this constantly: "My baby is 3 months old, do they need a visa?"
In the eyes of Immigration, your baby is a person. They need:
Their own passport.
Their own visa (or visa exemption stamp).
Their own arrival card.
Exceptions: Some countries (like the Bali Tourist Levy) might have exemptions for infants, but for the actual Immigration Visa, assume they need one.
Pro Tip: Taking a passport photo of a newborn is a nightmare. Lay them on a white sheet on the floor and take the photo from above. Do not hold them (your hands cannot be visible).
Quick Reference: The 2025 Checklist
Country | Visa Status (West) | Digital Form Required? | Official Link |
Thailand | 60-Day Exempt | Check for ETA | |
Vietnam | E-Visa Required | Yes (The Visa itself) | |
Indonesia | VOA ($35) | Yes (E-VOA optional but rec) | |
Malaysia | 90-Day Exempt | YES (MDAC) | |
Singapore | 90-Day Exempt | YES (SG Arrival Card) | |
Cambodia | VOA / E-Visa | Yes (E-Visa) |
Found this useful? Save this link. You will need it 3 days before your flight.
Travel smart. Travel often. — The Asia Family Travel Team