How to get a Cambodia Visa
If you are planning to enter Cambodia and visit the Kingdom’s most popular places, from the attractions in Phnom Penh or to wats in Siem Reap, you’ll need to get a Cambodia visa on arrival.
For citizens of most countries, the process is very simple. You can enter Cambodia through its major international airports like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville. You can also enter at many international checkpoints by land or by sea.
Read on to learn the 12 popular border crossing areas where you can obtain a visa on arrival or use your pre-approved e-visa to enter the country.
General Requirements for Visa Application Process
To successfully complete the Cambodia visa, all visitors must provide a passport (validity period should be at least 6 months beyond your entry date). The Cambodian visa will take up a full page in your passport, so be sure you have enough space.
The visa costs 30 USD, which you will need to pay in cash. Other currencies are not accepted. Generally, there are no ATMs or cash exchanges before you pass through the checkpoint.
If you plan to work in Cambodia, you should apply for a business visa which costs 35 USD.
You will also need one recent passport-sized photo. If you forget your photo, you will need to pay about 2 USD as a fine. However, it is best to bring a photo to assure you will be granted a Cambodian visa.
The visa application form itself is short and fairly easy to complete. Most airlines will give you the application form in the air before you arrive in Cambodia. If not, this form is available at all immigration checkpoints and border crossings.
Citizens of most countries (with the exception of Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Nigeria) can apply for a visa on arrival. Citizens of many other ASEAN member countries (Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar) do not need a visa at all.
Arrival by land
A majority of tourists enter Cambodia by land due to cheap bus fares. However, this tends to create issues at immigration checkpoints. They are often overcrowded and buses may leave tourists behind if they cannot receive their visas in a timely manner.
That’s why, if you’re arriving in Cambodia by land, it is especially important to have everything you need ready to go before you arrive. Remember to bring a passport photo and check to be sure your passport is valid six months past your arrival to Cambodia.
Check to be sure citizens of your country are eligible for a visa on arrival and, if not, apply for one at the embassy in your home country before traveling to Cambodia.
E-visa application and fees
Applicants may apply for an e-visa online in advance to further speed up the process and shorten their time waiting for approval at immigration checkpoints. This is especially true at overland Cambodian border checkpoints, where long queues often pose issues for travelers.
E-visas are only accepted at major checkpoints including the following:
- Phnom Penh Airport
- Siem Reap Airports
- Poipet/Aranya Prathet (Thailand)
- Cham Yeam/Hat Lek (Thailand)
- Bavet/Moc Bai (Vietnam)
An e-visa costs $37. That’s $7 more than the regular visa upon arrival but many feel the added convenience is worth the money.
The online application takes about 15 minutes to complete. You will need to upload a JPEG photo of yourself and your passport. Generally, visas are approved within three days. In many cases, it is approved in less than 24 hours.
After visa processing, you will receive a PDF, of which you should make two copies—one for your entry and one for your exit. Just like the regular visa, the e-visa is a single entry visa good for 30 days.
You should apply less than three months before you plan to enter Cambodia.
Cambodian airport taxes
Cambodia charges an airport departure tax on all domestic and international flights. These are included as part of your ticket price when you purchase your flight.
For domestic flights:
- Foreigners – 6 USD
- Cambodians – 5 USD
- Passengers younger than 2 years – free
For international flights:
- Foreigners – 25 USD
- Passengers 2-12 years old – 13 USD
- Cambodians – 18 USD
- Passengers 2-12 years old – 10 USD
- Passengers younger than 2 years old – free
Cambodia Visa Cost
How much you’ll pay for a Cambodia tourist or travel visa will vary slightly, depending on the type you apply for.
- a single entry tourist visa fee — 30 USD
- a single entry business visa fee — 35 USD
Validity Period
A visa obtained at the airport is valid for one month. The holders of a tourist visa can get an extension for one more month once only to handle foreign affairs.
The holders of business visas can get an extension multiple times for different periods of time:
- One-month extension
- Three months extension
- Six months extension
- One-year extension
The visitors that overstay their visas will pay a fine of 10 USD per day.
Entry Points to Get a Visa on Arrival
A visitor can obtain a visa for Cambodia upon arrival at the following entry points:
Airports
- International Airport in Phnom Penh
- International Airport in Siem Reap
On the Border with Vietnam
- Bavet International Entry Point
- Kha Orm Sam Nor International Entry Point
- Koh Rohka International Entry Point
- Tropeang Sre International Entry Point
- Banteay Chakrey International Entry Point
- Prek Chak International Entry Point
- Phnom Den International Entry Point
- Oyadav International Entry Point
- Tropieng Phlong International Entry Point
On the Border with Thailand
- Cham Yem International Entry Point
- Poi Pet International Entry Point
- Osmach International Entry Point
- Sihanoukville International Entry Point
- Choam Sanguam International Entry Point
- Prum International Entry Point
- Doung International Entry Point
- Preah Vihear International Entry Point
On the Border with Laos
- Dong Krolar International Entry Point
- Tropieng Kreal International Entry Point
Visitors who enter the Kingdom through different checkpoints must present a visa.
Cambodian visas for United States citizens
Do United States citizens need a visa for Cambodia? Yes, they do.
Like citizens of most other countries, US citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival. They can acquire a visa at any of the checkpoints listed above. Otherwise, they may apply for an e-visa online to simplify the process. The US visa for Cambodia is valid for 30 days and only eligible for one visa extension. If they chose, US citizens can obtain a Cambodian visa at their consulate instead though this is a greater hassle than getting a visa on arrival.
To apply for a Cambodian visa, US citizens will need one passport-sized photo and a passport that is valid for at least six months past their entry date.
Visa Exemption
Not all visitors can receive their visas on arrival. The citizens of the following countries should have it obtained before the arrival:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
There is a number of countries where citizens do not need a visa to visit Cambodia.
ASEAN Members:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Indonesia
- Lao PDR
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Other Countries:
- Bulgaria
- Cuba
- The People`s Republic of China
- Hungary
- India
- The Republic of Korea
- Peru
- Russia
- Slovakia
- Iran
On to you …
After reading this, you’re ready to visit the Kingdom of Cambodia. With this information at hand, you will have no problem applying for a Cambodian visa on arrival at one of the major entry points, no matter whether you arrive by land, air, or sea.
If you’re from one of the countries eligible for visa on arrival, have a passport photo with six-months validity, 30 USD cash, and a current passport photo, you’re good to go.
Ready to check out your accommodation options? We’re excited for you to explore options like our guesthouse to make your stay in Cambodia as enjoyable as possible.
