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Cambodia Visas and How to Apply for Them

Around the world, visitors to other countries are often required to obtain a visa to cover the duration of their stay. Visas are the permissions from various countries to allow visitors to stay in the country for a limited period of time only. The visa normally states how long you can stay, territories you may go to, the dates of entry and required date of exit, individual rights to work in the country, and the right to stay permanently for a number of reasons, such as marriage or residency.

Angkor Wat Cambodia
Angkor Wat Cambodia

Visas normally take the form of a sticker endorsed in your passport or other travel documents, although some are merely stamps in the passport and others are separate documents, and are granted by the Immigration Department of the country you are visiting. Historically, visas were granted on arrival at the borders of the country, but are more often required to be obtained from the embassy of the country you intend to visit beforehand now. Some countries do have agreements that allow citizens of other countries to travel within the country for a limited time without a visa, and this is getting more popular around the world as the global community grows ever closer.

Getting a Visa for Cambodia

There are many ways to get a visa for Cambodia, and all of them are fairly straightforward in their approach and requirements. Visa-wise, Cambodia is rated as one of the easiest countries to get a visa for. A tourist visa is valid for a period of three months beginning from the issue date. It is good for a single entry for a duration of 30 days. The tourist visa may be extended for a maximum period of one month. Passport holders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries do not need a visa to visit Cambodia for a specific, pre-set number of days at any one time.

Cambodia Tourism Visa
Cambodia Tourism Visa

At the Embassy

Now considered as the “old way” of getting a visa, using the Royal Embassy of Cambodia can still be done, although it can sometimes take longer, and sometimes requires a trip to the embassy building in your home or resident country. Application forms are the same across all mediums, although the fees for the visa from an embassy is normally higher, around US$37 (there is a US$7 processing fee added). Applications to the embassy have the following requirements.

Cambodian Embassy
Cambodian Embassy

1. One completed visa application
2. One current passport sized photo (2"x2")
3. Original Passport with at least 6 months validity (photocopies of passports will be rejected)
4. Visa Fee
5. A self-addressed prepaid return envelope (registered or tracked mail is recommended)

Online E-visa

E-visas are available from the website of the Cambodian government and are beneficial in that once you have an “account” with the site, you can apply for new visas more easily. The obvious first step is to create and account, and then fill in the application form for the visa, ensuring the details match those on your passport. However, e-visas are only available for tourists, and business or other visas need to be applied for through the embassy.

Online E-Visa
Online E-Visa

Once completed, the site will direct you to a secure payments page, where you can pay with your credit or debit card, and all major cards are accepted. Once payment has been made, the visa will normally be approved within three business days, and you will be sent an email notification, with the e-visa attached. Then you just need to print it out and get it stamped on arrival. However, e-visas are only accepted at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports (they are not accepted in Sihanoukville), and at the two main land borders: Bavet/Moc Bai (Vietnam) and Poipet/Aranya Prathet (Thailand).

Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival can be obtained at the Visa Counter upon arrival at the Cambodia International Airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk. It is important to know that not all foreign passport holders can apply for a visa on arrival, therefore, they should check with the nearest Royal Embassy of Cambodia for the specific visa requirements for their countries.

Visa on Arrival is also permitted at the border checkpoints between Cambodia and its neighboring countries. The list of border checkpoints that issue Visa on Arrival is:

Cambodia-Thailand:
1. O’smach (Oddar Meanchay Province)
2. Poipet (Beantey MeanChay Province)
3. Prom (Pailin City)
4. Daung (Battambang Province)
5. Chorm (Oddormeanchey)
6. Cham Yeam (Koh Kong Province)

Cambodia-Vietnam:
1. Bavet (Svay Rieng Province)
2. Kaom Samnor(Kandal Province)
3. Phnom Den(Takeo Province)
4. Trapaing Sre(Kratie Province)
5. Tropaing Phlong (Kampong Cham Province)

Cambodia-Laos
PDR: Dong Kralor( Steung Treng Province)

Types of Visa

Cambodian Tourist Visa

The 30-day tourist visa is available to travelers in advance or on arrival, for most nationalities, for a cost of $30. The tourist visa is single entry only, and can be renewed once for an additional 30 days for a fee of $45. After that, tourist visa holders must leave Cambodia and come back to obtain a new visa. If you are planning on staying in Cambodia, don’t bother with a tourist visa and start with a renewable ordinary visa instead. There is a minimum stay of 24 hours if the Cambodian visa is issued at the Siem Reap airport, otherwise there is no minimum stay.

Cambodia tourist visa
Cambodia tourist visa

Cambodian “Ordinary” Visas (E class)

For anyone who is considering staying in Cambodia for an extended period, an “E-class” visa is the best option. Previously, there used to be only one E-class visa, known as the “business” or “ordinary” visa. In 2017, a new set of E-class visa types became available. Anyone can apply for the new E-class visas, and while there is no requirement for documentation in some cases, you may be asked to provide paperwork if questioned by immigration or police.

The EB visa covers foreigners who are moving to Cambodia as expats and includes those who are working and their partners and children, as well as covering freelance workers and people who do not fit into any other category. The EB visa does not allow you to work in Cambodia, and for that you also need a work permit, although it is not required to get the visa. The renewable EB visa can last for one, three, six, or twelve months, although only the 6 and 12 month visas allow multiple entries.

Cambodia visa
Cambodia visa

The EG visa is intended for those searching for employment, and can last one, three, or six months. While it is not strictly enforced in the country, it is advisable to get the EG visa over the EB visa if you are intending to look for work before getting a work permit, and then apply for the associated EB visa after hiring.

The ES visa is a student visa, which anyone can apply for. If asked by the immigration police, ES visa holders need to be able to show school transcripts or a record of school payments. The ES student visa is normally valid for one, three, six, or twelve months and you can extend it from inside the country for up to 12 months at a time. It is advisable to extend it for 6 or 12 months, as these visa types are multiple-entry, while the 1 and 3 month visas are single-entry only, meaning that if you leave for a weekend trip to Vietnam, you’ll need to get a new Cambodian visa when you return.

The new ER visa for retirees to Cambodia was just announced in 2017, and is still in the process of being finalized, although applications have already been accepted by the Cambodian Embassy. The ER visa requires holders to provide evidence of financial stability and the capacity to live in the country without needing to work, since working is not permitted on the new visa. Majority of expats in Cambodia currently use the old E-class visa for business, and are not being required to make the change unless they want to at present.

Customs Regulations

There is very little in the way of customs regulations in Cambodia, and even those are very vague, except for the restrictions on carrying weapons, explosives, and narcotics. You are allowed to take in and out a “reasonable” amount of duty free items, but bear in mind, many things are a lot cheaper on the streets of Phnom Penh than the duty-free prices at the airports.

Visa Extensions

Visa extensions are issued by the large immigration office located directly across the road from Phnom Penh International Airport. Extensions are easy to arrange, taking just a couple of days. It costs US$45 for one month extension, and is fairly straightforward, with minimal fuss. Travel agencies and some motorcycle rental shops in Phnom Penh can help with arrangements, sometimes at a discounted price. Overstaying a visa currently costs US$5 a day.

If you overstay your visa by less than one month, you may need to pay the fine at the airport on departure. However, if you overstay your visa by more than one month, you risk severe penalties, including imprisonment, deportation and being placed on an immigration blacklist, preventing you from returning to Cambodia.

Passports

Not only is a passport essential, it needs to be valid for at least six months or Cambodian immigration will not issue a visa. It is also important to make sure that there is plenty of space left in the passport, as a Cambodian visa alone takes up one page. If you lose your passport, it is not the end of the world, but it is a serious inconvenience. To expedite the issuing of a new passport from your embassy, keep a photocopy of your passport photo page and the visa sticker page.

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