Complete Guide to Visa for Cambodia with COVID Updates

See Also

For most outsiders who have never been to Cambodia, probably the ancient Hindu temple complex of Angkor Wat is their first glimpse of this country. Along with many other Hindu and Buddhist temple, Cambodia is a favorite with tourists who love off-the-beaten-path travel.

A visa for Cambodia is needed for citizens from most of the countries in the world, be it for tourism or to do business or study or work.

While Cambodia is closed to general tourism now for the Covid-19 pandemic, it is possible to enter Cambodia as long as you fulfil all the requirements.

In this guide, along with the COVID-19 updates, we will cover how to apply Cambodia visa from an embassy and through other means, visa types, visa fees for Cambodia.

Update : COVID Travel to Cambodia

Suspended Visas

The following visas have been suspended until further notice for all the nationalities.

• Cambodia online visa or e-Visa for tourism
• Tourist visa
• Cambodia visa on arrival for any kind of visa
• Visa exemptions

Flying to Cambodia: COVID Requirements

1. Negative COVID-19 Test

The COVID certificate should be dated and stamped within 72 hours before you fly, it’ll be fine. The rule applies to the certificate, not the test. It has to be the original copy with a stamp and signature. A digital copy even with stamp and signature will not be accepted.

Citizens of some countries also have to email the COVID-19 test result prior to the departure. Check with the embassy on this.

Example: US citizens

2. Health Insurance

Health insurance that covers COVID and has a minimum coverage of $50000 is a mandatory requirement for Cambodia visa now.

You can get a travel or nomad health insurance from Safety Wing now.

In some countries, you are needed to provide proof of insurance at the time of applying for the visa. For example, if you are applying for a Cambodia visa from Australia.

For some others while they might not ask for it at time of visa application, you would need to provide it at immigration.

In any case, it is better to get it beforehand.

3. Letter of Invitation/Employment

A stamped letter of invitation from a registered Cambodia business or school, to be submitted with the visa application, if you have been sponsored or invited.

Note that not everyone will be invited or sponsored. In this case, you can submit the letter of employment from your employer to show that you have a legitimate job.

4. Refundable Deposit of $2000

You need to deposit 2000 USDs after arriving in Cambodia. This will be used to cover the COVID-19 test result, local transportation fees, accommodation cost, as well as expenses during the quarantine period in case you test positive.

You can pay by cash or using a credit card. But it is strongly recommend you to bring cash, in case the POS machines don’t read your card or something else happens.

5. Accommodation Proof

In truth, hotel reservations are not mandatory. But some airlines are insisting you have a reservation now. So I would suggest you book for a couple of nights. Note that you can only book Sokha or Tian yi. Make sure to mention to them that you are not sponsored or invited.

However, if you don’t book a hotel, and get in, then you will be assigned a hotel for the first couple of nights.

6. Quarantine Requirement

After arriving in Cambodia, you are needed to quarantine in a designated hotel. Once you are at the airport, after the immigration, they will do the PCR test.

You will be taken to the hotel from the airport on a bus, where you will be needed to quarantine. After you get your results, if no one on your flight is positive, you can go and stay in a place of your choice for the remaining time.

If you are positive, then you would need to quarantine for all 14 days.

Land Borders Closed

All land borders of Cambodia with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam are closed.

Do You Need a Visa for Cambodia?

Everyone needs a visa for Cambodia, except for nine countries.

Country	Visa-free (days)
Brunei	14
Indonesia	30
Laos	30
Malaysia	30
Myanmar	14
Philippines	21
Singapore	30
Thailand	14
Vietnam	30

Nationals from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, EU, India, or any other country that’s not in the list above, need some kind of visa to enter Cambodia.

What Does Cambodia Visa Look like?

Here is a sample Cambodia visa for tourism issued in Phnom Penh airport. It cost $30 USD and was valid for 30 days.

Cambodia Visa Experiences

The Visa Project is not just about visa guides. Out here, we believe that first-person experiences are very important when it comes to visas. And for Cambodia where lots of visas and extensions are driven by agents, these articles will give you an idea of how things work out on the ground.

Cambodia Visa Types

Cambodia visa types are a mix of the visas that can be obtained from a Cambodian embassy and the ones that can be extended once you are in Cambodia. The type of visa in Cambodia that one can get is often the extension of a visa obtained on arrival or from an embassy.

It is important to understand the difference.

1. Tourist Visa for Cambodia (T Class)

A tourist visa for Cambodia is meant for people who want to visit Cambodia for tourism or sightseeing.

If you are planning to stay in Cambodia for 30 days or less, the tourist visa for Cambodia is best for you. A 30-day tourist visa costs $30 and can be obtained from a Cambodian embassy or as a Cambodia visa on arrival at an airport or land border.

It is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. You can get a Cambodia tourist visa extension only once for 30 more days once you are there.

Requirements

• Round-trip flight tickets or proof of onward journey
• Proof of financial stability

2. Cambodia Online Visa or e-Visa

A Cambodia online visa or electronic visa is a 30-day visa meant for tourism. It is one of the easiest visas available to almost every nationality. You can get it for $36, and the application process is completely online.

3. Ordinary Visa for Cambodia (E Class)

A Cambodia ordinary visa is completely different from an e visa for Cambodia, and should never be confused. It is the most sought-after visa that allows you to stay in Cambodia for an extended period of time. It is also known as a Cambodia business visa.

You can get this visa for 30 days by paying $35, either at a consulate of Cambodia or on arrival. Then you can extend it for an indefinitely, depending on the purpose of your extension.

Requirements:

• Accommodation proof in Cambodia
• Health insurance
• Onward flight ticket
• A hard copy of COVID Test Certificate, obtained within 72 hours before the departure time.
• Completed Cambodia Visa application form​ 
• Original passport
• A copy of the bio page of the passport

4. Khmer Visa (K Class)

The K-class visa or Khmer visa is for those of Cambodian descent who hold a foreign passport. This visa is free for a lifetime and permanent for the period of your passport. However, you will need to re-apply when renewing your passport.

There have been reports of people needing to pay an unofficial “facilitation fee” to get it.

Requirements

• Birth certificate or marriage certificate or family book, or Cambodian ID card
• A copy of their previous K visa page if renewing

5. Official/Diplomatic/Courtsey Visa

These visas are meant for foreigners who are

• Diplomatic passport holders visiting Cambodia to engage in official duties on behalf of their government.
• Officials passport holder going to Cambodia solely for Official duties on behalf of their government.
• Normal passport holder who wishes to enter Cambodia on official duty.

Cambodia Visa Extension Types

Not all types of visas for Cambodia are available directly from a Cambodian embassy. If the purpose of your stay is to retire in Cambodia or work or study etc., then these will be available as an extension of an ordinary visa for Cambodia or E class visa.

So simply put, you get the ordinary visa on arrival or from an embassy, and then extend it to suit the purpose of your stay once you are in Cambodia. The requirements for the Extension of Stay (EOS) will vary depending on your purpose of stay.

None of the Cambodia EOS or extension would be available at an airport or land border or in a Cambodian embassy.

1. Cambodia Retirement Visa (ER visa extension)

A Cambodia retirement visa is nothing but an ER visa extension. It is meant for those of retirement age. Although there is no such visa called retirement visa officially, many people refer the ER visa extension as retirement visa for Cambodia.

Requirements

• Proof of guaranteed income from your home country such as social security or pension
• 55 or above
• Not employed in Cambodia at the time of applying

The Cambodia retirement visa extension can be issued for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months.

2. Cambodia Work Visa( EB/EG Visa Extension)

Most of the expats who want to work or freelance or volunteer in Cambodia opt for an EB visa extension. Dependants of EB visa extension holder can also extend their stay in Cambodia using the same. This extension can be granted for 1,3,6 or 12 months.

The Cambodia visa extension for EB category itself does not give a foreigner the right to work in Cambodia. In order to be legally employed in Cambodia, you will need a Cambodian work permit. 

However, you can still freelance with this visa in Cambodia.

Requirements

• Address in Cambodia
• Health insurance
• Work Permit or proof of business or employment contract( needed only for an extension for more than 6 months). This must be stamped.

Only the 6- and 12-month visa extension allow multiple entries.

EG Visa Extension

An EG visa extension is for foreigners looking for employment In Cambodia. Similar to an EB visa, and it can be issued for 1, 3, or 6 months. Foreigners who already have had EB visa extensions in the past, may or may not be able to get an EG visa extension.

There is no Cambodia work “Visa” technically, but the EOS extension for EB/EG act as a substitute for this.

3. Cambodia Student Visa (ES Visa Extension)

Foreigners wanting to study Khmer language in Cambodia or anything else can get a Cambodia student visa, popularly known as ES visa extension. Foreigners whose children are enrolled in Cambodian schools can also apply this extension for their children.

So while there is no student “Visa” technically, there is however a student EOS category.

Please note that the school must be fully and legally registered with both the MoC and the GDoT. And you can enroll in the school after coming to Cambodia.

Requirements

• A letter from a registered Cambodian school, receipts for fees, and a copy of the school’s registration
• Proof of financial stability if you are applying for yourself

Cambodia Visa Cost

While Cambodia visa fee will always be the same for some visa types, it can vary a little for the extensions depending on the agents you take help from.

Cambodia Visa Type/Extension	Cost (in USD)
Tourist Visa	$30
e Visa	$36
Ordinary/Business Visa	$35
EB/EG/ER Visa Extension	$50-$290, depending on how long

Health Insurance for Cambodia Visa

All foreigners wishing to enter and stay in Cambodia are now needed to have travel health insurance with a minimum medical coverage of 50,000 USDs. You you can buy the insurance from any other provider as long as it covers Covid-19.

We strongly recommend that you buy your insurance with Safety Wing, which can cover multiple countries along with Cambodia and is easily renewable.

Cambodia Visa for UK Citizens

Cambodia visa from UK can be obtained from the Cambodian embassy in London, by submitting the required documents like the original passport, photo, application form, employment letter etc.. You can send these through mail or walk in.

Cambodia Embassy in UK

Address: 64 Brondesbury Park, Willesden Green, London NW6 7AT

Email: camemb.eng@mfa.gov.kh

Cambodia Visa for US Citizens

Cambodia visa for US citizens can be applied in a Cambodian embassy until the COVID restrictions are there. When the restrictions were not in place, US citizens could apply the Cambodia visa online or on arrival.

US passport holders can apply in the embassy of Cambodia by walking in or mailing the required documents. If you are mailing in the documents, please use USPS Priority Mail envelope with a tracking number and include a self-addressed prepaid USPS Priority Mail envelope with a tracking number. 

If you are walking in, please send an email appointment in advance by submitting the pre-screening form on the website. This is in effect for COVID.

Cambodia Embassy in US

Address: 4530 16th Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20011
Tel: 202-7267742 

Email:

• camemb.usa@mfaic.gov.kh               (General Inquiry)
• consular.camemb.usa@gmail.com    (Visa Concerns)

Working hours:

• 9:00 – 12:00 am / 1:00 – 4:00 pm (EST), Monday to Friday
• Visa Drop-off/Pickup and phone inquiry hours
  10:00 – 11:30 am / 2:00 – 3:30 pm

How to Get Cambodia Visa in Australia?

Australians can get Cambodia visa through the Cambodian embassy in Australia as long as the COVID restrictions are in force.

Citizens of Australia and NewZealand can get the visa by mailing in their documents. It can take 3-7 working days to process the visa. 

Cambodia Embassy in Australia

Address: 5 Canterbury Crescent, Deakin, ACT 2600

​Tel: (+61) 262 738 064,
(+61) 469 717 232 – cosular section

Email: Cambodianembassy@ozemail.com.au

Visa for Cambodia from Canada

For Canadians wanting to apply Cambodia visa in Canada, they can either do that through the embassy of Cambodia in Washington DC or through the honorary consulate of Cambodia in Toronto.

If you are mailing in the documents to the embassy of Cambodia in Washington, use UPS or FedEx, and include a prepaid self-address return label slip with your contact number and email address.

There is no embassy of Cambodia in Canada. The consulate in Toronto does process visa applications, but they don’t always accept applications through mail. They are accepting in person applications during COVID, but do check with them before applying.

Honorary Consulate of Cambodia in Canada

Address: 60 Caledonia Rd.Toronto, ON, M6E 4S4

Email: cchhour@cambodiaconsulate.ca
Tel : (647) 533-9335

Consul: Chhat Chhour, Honorary Consul of Cambodia to Toronto

Cambodia Visa for Indians: How to Get?

Cambodia visa for Indian passport holders is available from the embassy of Cambodia in Delhi. You can only walk in to apply for the visa.

Note that although Indians are eligible for Cambodia business visa on arrival, it is better to get on from the embassy, as they might ask you for extra documents at immigration.

Also at the time of extending Cambodian visa, Indian citizens might be asked for extra documents like labor contract, tax patent of the employer by the agents.

Cambodia Embassy in India

Address: W-112 Greater Kailash Part II, New Delhi-110048 India

E-mail: camemb.ind@mfa.gov.kh