Do Canadian Citizens Need Visa for Cambodia? 7 Key Facts

Yes, Canadian citizens need a visa for Cambodia tours. There are two Cambodian visas for Canadians: an electronic visa(e-visa) or a visa on arrival. If you’re flying directly into Cambodia, an e-visa is the best. It’s quick and easy. However, if you cross Cambodia by land from neighboring countries, you’ll need to get a visa on arrival.

To help you know the application process well, read the article to get 7 important facts for applying for a Cambodian visa. It will show you what to expect and how to apply.

1. All Canadian Citizens Need a Cambodia Visa for Cambodia Tour

Since there is no agreement between Canada and Cambodia for visa-free travel, all Canadian citizens need a visa to enter Cambodia for purposes of tourism. The Cambodian visa normally costs US$ 30 per person and often has additional processing fees attached to it, depending on where it is obtained. There are normally three ways one can apply for a visa: at an Embassy, online, or on arrival in Cambodia.

The E-visa is Cambodia’s newest option for processing your visa application and is becoming a popular option. The Visa On Arrival is also a popular option for Canadian travelers to Cambodia, especially for those traveling through the airports at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Applying for a visa through an embassy or consulate is not a convenient option. There is no Cambodian embassy in Canada, so unless you want to travel to Boston, Philadelphia, or Seattle to process the application there and then go back a week later to get the visa, the e-visa and Visa On Arrival are the best choices.

Applying for Cambodian Visa on arrival with a Canadian passport.

2. Passport Must Be Valid at Least Six Months Before the Entry Date

A current valid passport is required, with at least six month’s validity left at the expected date of travel. You will also need to make sure you have at least two blank visa pages in the passport for the visa stickers, and you will need two recent passport-sized photos on a plain background.

The fee for the visa does vary from the officially announced amount of US$ 30, as additional processing fees are applied, and these can vary depending on how you apply for the visa. On average, the actual cost is around 36-37 dollars once processing fees are included.

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Siem Reap

3. Cambodia E Visa Is the Easiest for Canadians within 3 Days

Cambodia’s e-visa is aimed at promoting tourism by streamlining the process for visa applications, particularly for those who do not have an embassy or consulate of Cambodia in their home country. The processing time is just three business days, and the application process is straightforward and fast.

After the application is complete and payment has been made, you will receive an email confirmation of your E-Arrival Card. Save the email to your phone, and print out a paper backup copy in case you are asked for it. The visa is valid for three months from the date of issue and covers a single-entry stay of not more than 30 days.

The sample of Cambodia E-visa.

4. E-Visa Application on the Official Government Website Cost Least

The website for the application of the E-visa is an official government website, and application for E-visa should only be made from the official website to avoid scams and extortionate fees. The web address for the official website is https://www.evisa.gov.kh/, and once there, the application is easy.

At the start of the application process, the site will ask you to create an account. This allows you to check on the status of your application and is very useful for those who may want to travel again and need another E-visa for Cambodia. Your application details are saved in your account, making the next application for a visa even faster.

Payment options for the e-visa have been expanded to include Visa, MasterCard, JCB Card, Diner Club Card, UnionPay Alipay, and WeChat. If you don’t have any of these options, it should be noted that the cardholder’s name does not have to match the applicant’s name, so another family member with a valid card can make the payment for you. The cost of the E-visa is the standard US$ 30, and there is an additional six-dollar processing fee.

The interface of Cambodia's official website for applying e-visa.

5. Cambodia Visa on Arrival Is Also Convenient but Requires More

As with many other nationalities, Canadians can apply for their Cambodia visa at certain entry points to Cambodia as a Cambodian Visa On Arrival (VOA) application. However, the queues are long at the visa desks in peak tourist seasons.

The VOA system is currently in operation at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. You also have the option of applying for the VOA at the following land border checkpoints from Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The VOA requires Canadian passport holders to have at least six months’ validity on their passports and at least two blank visa pages. You will also need to have a passport-sized photo on a plain background. When traveling by flight, the application form is given on the plane to be filled in before you land, making your processing time faster.

The US dollar is an accepted currency in Cambodia, and all visa applicants are required to pay in dollars. However, ATMs do charge high fees for transactions (normally around five dollars per transaction), so carrying at least enough for the visa fee is advised. The cost of the visa at the airport is US$ 30, with a seven-dollar processing fee. Do not expect change if you do not give them the exact amount.

Tourists are queuing to apply for Cambodian visa-on-arrival.

6. Some Check Points to Cambodia from Neighbors Only Require a VOA

E-visa are often not available at land border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Instead, VOAs are available at the major crossing points, including:

Laos - Dong Kralor
Thailand - O’smach, Poipet, Prom, Daung, and Cham Yeam
Vietnam - Bavet, Kaom Samnor, Phnom Denh, Trapaing Sre, and Tropaing Phlong

When entering through the land border checkpoints, the visa process is just as simple. The application only takes a few minutes to complete and is not complicated. Once complete, hand it to the officials when you get to the head of the queue, along with your passport and photo, and step back to wait to be called.

The cost of the visa is normally just thirty dollars at the land borders, but officials often add additional “fees” to the cost of anything between 1-10 dollars. This is comparable with the processing fee in the airports and can be called anything from a “processing” fee to a “night entry” fee or a “weekend” fee. If you are asked to pay in Thai baht, you can politely request to pay in USD.

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7. Cambodia Tourist Visa Can Be Extended Once Only for Thirty Days

Cambodia visas can be extended once only for a period of thirty days. The fee for processing is not published and fluctuates. Expect to pay 40-50 USD. The visa can be extended at the main office of the Department of Immigration, which is situated outside Phnom Penh International Airport at 322 Russian Federation Boulevard.

Processing at the immigration office can take a long time, however, and it can take up to 10 days to receive the extended visa. Faster processing is sometimes available for additional fees, which can shorten the process by up to five days.

A more reliable option for faster processing is to use one of the hundreds of travel agents in Phnom Penh to process your visa extension for you. Simply provide your passport and photo, and fill in their visa extension application form, and they will do the rest. It normally takes three days, although some can get it done even faster. A total cost of around 50 USD is not uncommon, and it is okay to haggle over the price.

Cambodia extended visa.

Conclusion

Cambodia has several convenient options for Canadians to arrange a visa. Requirements are minimal, and with the easy online E-visa system, you can quickly pass through immigration and start your tour. Be prepared to be a little flexible if you plan on using the VOA, particularly when using a land border crossing. Wait times can vary, and some fees can fluctuate.

If you’re well-informed, the visa process is nothing to worry about. Tens of thousands of Canadian tourists travel to Cambodia each year to explore Angkor Wat, enjoy the sites of Phnom Penh, and relax on the beaches of Sihanoukville. Contact us with any visa-related questions, and start planning your tour today.