Can’t decide whether you should get a Cambodia eVisa or get a visa on arrival for Cambodia?
There is a lot of outdated online in regards to the current visa situation for Cambodia, so we decided to make it easy for you! The visa you require (and how to obtain it) will depend on a few factors such as how long you intend to stay and what you intend to do whilst you’re in Cambodia. Below, we’ve outlined the various options available. Whether you’re coming for tourism, or intending to move to Cambodia for work or retirement, read on to find out your options and how to get a visa.
If you’re looking to visit the Angkor Wat temple complex, don’t forget to make sure you’ve got the right visa (or Cambodia eVisa!) so you don’t have any troubles entering the country easily and legally.
What types of visa are available when you first get to Cambodia?
When you first arrive in Cambodia, you’ll get (or have!) one of two visa types. This will be either the T Type (Tourist) or E Type (Ordinary). Both of these visas can be obtained online in advance, or on arrival when you reach the Cambodian border via land or air. The E Type (Ordinary) visa is often referred to online as the “Business” visa which can add some confusion if you’re new to Cambodian visas. Throughout this article we’ll go into more detail on whether or not you should get your visa online in advance, but first we’ll explain the different types.
What is the T Type (Tourist) visa?
This visa is exclusively for tourism. If you’re coming to Cambodia for a short term visit for tourism purposes, this is the visa you’ll need. This visa is valid for 30 days and is single entry, so if you’re leaving Cambodia and returning again later, you’ll need to get another visa for your second entry. This can be purchased on arrival, or as a Cambodia eVisa.
Once you’re inside Cambodia, if you decide to stay longer you may extend this visa via an agent for an additional 30 days, but this can only be done once and the extension will also be single entry. If you apply for this visa online in advance, it will cost 30 US dollars, plus a 6 USD processing charge for the online payment.
There are many online websites acting as intermediaries for this service but they are completely unnecessary and will charge you a higher amount. You should apply directly through the official Cambodian government website, which you can find by clicking HERE. If you get the tourist visa on arrival, it will cost you 30 USD.
When you apply online you must provide a date of entry, however the visa will be valid for 3 months from that date. So if your entry date on your visa is June 1st, you may enter the country any date up to 3 months after June 1st, but not before. Validity is not the same of length of stay. Despite having 3 months validity, you will still only be able to stay in Cambodia for 30 days from the date you are stamped into the country by immigration.
What is the E Type (Ordinary) visa?
This visa is for people who are intending to stay in Cambodia for longer periods of time, either for work, volunteering or retirement. When you first enter the country, this visa is valid for the same amount of time as the tourist visa (30 days) and is single entry, but it can be extended for larger periods of time and if you purchase an extension of 6 months or greater, that extension will be multiple entry, allowing you to leave and re-enter the country as you please.
If you purchase this as a Cambodia eVisa online in advance, this will cost 35 USD, plus a 7 USD processing charge. If you purchase this visa on arrival in Cambodia, it will cost you just the 35 USD.
How long can I extend my E Type (Ordinary) Visa?
The E Type visa can be extended for 1,3,6 or 12 months. If you’re over 55 and retiring in Cambodia, you can extend this visa at an agent for up to 12 months at a time. One condition of a retirement visa is that you must not undertake employment in Cambodia.
If you’re working and employed in Cambodia, you can also extend for up to 12 months at a time. If you’re in Cambodia, and looking for work, you may be granted a 3 month “looking for work” extension. Extensions of 6 months or greater will require documentation such as proof of employment letters and work permits, or proof of retirement etc. An agent can help you in obtaining these documents.
Are there any countries that don’t require a visa for Cambodia?
11 countries are currently visa exempt for Cambodia and do not need a visa. These countries are Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Length of visa exemption varies by country, from 14 to 30 days in length. These countries will not need to apply for a Cambodia Evisa or get a visa on arrival.
Should I get my visa on arrival or in advance?
Many people choose to get their Cambodia eVisa in advance simply for peace of mind. Although it does cost slightly more, it means that when you arrive in Cambodia you can head straight to the immigration counter and will not need to queue up at the separate counter to purchase your visa.
Be aware that the online visa can take up to 3 working days to process, so if you’re making a trip on short notice, you may need to get the visa on arrival, thought this will save you the payment processing charge! When purchasing a visa on arrival, you will need to pay in un-damaged USD bills, and we recommend having the exact amount ready. There are ATM’s available at both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh international airports. For more information on currency in Cambodia, check out THIS article.
***UPDATE FROM JULY 2024***
The Cambodia eVisa can now be obtained through the official Cambodian Department of Immigration e-arrivals app, which can be found on both Android and Apple devices. This will simplify the process as you can also fill out your arrivals card on the same app. For more information on this, please see the next section.
NOTE: Despite the government website not being updated, it is no longer a requirement to provide passport photos when getting a visa on arrival, you simply need your passport and any supporting documents required for your visa type. All Covid-19 travel restrictions have now been lifted.
***UPDATED ARRIVALS CARD PROCESS FROM JULY 2024)***
From July 2024, travellers will now need to fill out the “Immigration e-arrival card” if arriving via air travel. This needs to be done within 7 days prior to your arrival. This is an online form which can be filled out on the official app from the Department of Immigration (shown below). This app is available on both Android and Apple devices. This is to replace the landing cards that were previously handed out on the plane.
If you haven’t filled this out prior to your arrival, there are tablet devices available at the airports to do it there, however, if you have already completed it then this will save you time at the airport as these tablets tend to have a queue due to this being a new system put in place that many aren’t away of. The app will generate a QR code to be scanned by the immigrations officer at the counter which you can save to your phone as a screenshot or bring a printed copy of.
**This has currently only been rolled out at aiports, and those arriving through land borders will still be required to fill out a paper arrivals card upon entry**
Can everyone get visa on arrival?
Some countries are unable to get visa on arrival and must arrange their Cambodia eVisa online in advance via the official government website. These countries are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Nigeria and Algeria.
**NEW! FROM SEPTEMBER 2024, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PAY FOR YOUR VISA ON ARRIVAL VIA CREDIT CARD. Currently, this is only payable in USD Cash.**
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