The Kingdom of Cambodia, a country in the heart of Southeast Asia, is famous for the majestic Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest religious monuments in the world. Beyond this, Cambodia offers a rich Khmer culture, a turbulent history, friendly people, and diverse landscapes ranging from rice paddies to tropical islands. Most foreign nationals require a visa for entry. However, Cambodia has greatly simplified this process for tourism purposes through the introduction of an e-Visa system and the wide availability of Visas on Arrival.
Yes, most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Cambodia.
Visa Exemption: Nationals of a few countries, primarily member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Myanmar, are exempt from visa requirements for short tourist stays (the duration varies, often between 14 and 30 days).
E-Visa (Electronic Visa): For tourists from most other countries, the e-Visa is a very convenient option to obtain entry permission online in advance.
Visa on Arrival (VOA): Also for tourism purposes, the Visa on Arrival is widely available for many nationalities at major international airports and some international land border checkpoints.
Visa via Embassy/Consulate: For other travel purposes (e.g., long-term business stays, work, study) or if an e-Visa/VOA is not desired or possible, a visa must be applied for at a Cambodian embassy or consulate. This is often issued as an "E-Type" (Ordinary) visa for initial entry, which can then be extended in Cambodia.
It is advisable to check the specific requirements for your nationality before your trip.
Cambodia offers various visa types, primarily differing by purpose and intended length of stay:
Primarily applies to nationals of ASEAN member states for short-term tourist stays. The permitted duration varies by nationality (e.g., 14 days for Brunei and Myanmar, 21 days for the Philippines, 30 days for Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam).
Key Requirements:
An online option for tourist travel, available to most nationalities. The e-Visa is typically for a single entry, allows a stay of up to 30 days, and the e-Visa document itself is valid for 3 months from the date of issue to enter Cambodia. It can be extended once for another 30 days within Cambodia.
Key Requirements:
Available to most nationalities upon arrival at the international airports of Phnom Penh (PNH), Siem Reap (REP), and Sihanoukville (KOS), as well as at many international land border checkpoints (e.g., with Thailand, Vietnam, Laos). It is for tourism purposes, allows a single entry, and a stay of up to 30 days. It can also be extended once for another 30 days within Cambodia.
Key Requirements:
This visa, often referred to as "Ordinary Visa" or "E-Type Visa" (not to be confused with the electronic tourist E-Visa), is for individuals coming to Cambodia for business, job seeking, study, retirement, or other longer-term stays. The initial E-Type visa is issued for 30 days (either on arrival at the same border points as the tourist visa on arrival, or in advance from an embassy) and can then be extended in Cambodia for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months (single or multiple entry), depending on the specific purpose (EB for Business, ER for Retirement, ES for Student, EG for Job Seeker/General).
Key Requirements (for initial 30-day E-Type visa on arrival/embassy):
Key Requirements (for E-Type visa extensions in Cambodia):
For specific diplomatic (A-Type), official (B-Type), or courtesy visas (C-Type), as well as for Cambodian citizens holding foreign passports (K-Type). These are not relevant for most travelers. Long-term work stays under an EB visa also require a work permit.
Cambodia is relatively accessible for tourists thanks to the e-Visa system and the option of obtaining a visa on arrival. For longer stays or specific purposes such as work or study, the system of an initial E-Type (Ordinary) visa followed by in-country extensions offers a flexible solution. However, it is always advisable to check the latest regulations on the official websites of the Cambodian government, particularly the e-Visa portal (www.evisa.gov.kh) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, before your trip. When visiting cultural sites, especially Angkor Wat, respectful behavior and appropriate attire are requested. Online-Visa.com strives to provide you with comprehensive information; however, this cannot replace individual legal advice or consultation with official sources. With the right preparation, nothing stands in the way of your journey to the fascinating Kingdom of Cambodia.