Most nationalities need a Cambodia visa to enter the country. Two routes cover the vast majority of travelers. The e-visa is applied for online before you leave home. The visa on arrival is collected at the airport counter when you land. A smaller group of nationalities — primarily ASEAN member states — enter without a visa at all.
The e-visa is the faster option at the border. The visa-on-arrival works fine but involves a queue. Both allow a 30-day stay. The process is straightforward as long as you use the right website and bring the right documents.
Does Your Nationality Need a Cambodia Visa?
Most travelers need a visa for Cambodia. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and most of Europe need one. So do citizens of Japan, South Korea, China, India, and the majority of countries outside ASEAN. The e-visa or the visa on arrival covers nearly every tourist nationality.
ASEAN member states, and a small number of countries with bilateral agreements, enter visa-free. Permitted stays range from 14 to 30 days, depending on the nationality. Check the exemption table later in the article for your country. If your country is not listed, you need a visa.
The Cambodia e-Visa — Apply Before You Arrive
The e-visa is the recommended route for most travelers. You apply online, receive the approved visa by email as a PDF, and skip the visa-on-arrival queue at the airport. Processing takes three business days. Apply at least five to seven days before your trip to allow a margin.
The Official Application Site
The official Cambodian government e-visa portal is evisa.gov.kh. No other site is the official government portal. Look for the .gov.kh domain before entering any personal or payment information. The site is operated by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Copycat Site Warning
Several unofficial websites rank well for Cambodia e-visa searches and charge a markup on top of the official government fee. The markup can add $20 to $60 on top of what the government charges. These sites do submit your application to the Cambodian government, so the visa usually works. But the extra cost is entirely avoidable.
Check the URL before you apply. If the domain does not end in .gov.kh, the site is not the official Cambodian government portal. Bookmark evisa.gov.kh and use only that.
e-Visa Application Requirements
You need the following to complete the online application:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your intended departure date from Cambodia
- At least one blank passport page
- A digital passport-style photo in JPEG format, 4 by 6 centimeters
- A clear scan or photo of your passport’s biographical page
- Your confirmed travel dates and accommodation address for the first night
- A valid email address for the delivery of the approved e-visa
- A credit or debit card for payment — Visa, MasterCard, and several digital payment methods are accepted
e-Visa Fee, Processing Time, and Validity
| Detail | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Fee | $36 USD total, paid online at evisa.gov.kh. Confirm the current fee on the official portal before applying |
| Processing time | 3 business days. Applications submitted on weekends or Cambodian holidays are processed on the next business day |
| Validity from issue date | 90 days — you can enter Cambodia any time within that window |
| Maximum stay per entry | 30 days from the date of entry |
| Entry type | Single entry |
| Accepted entry points | Major international airports and selected land borders. Confirm the full list on the official portal |
The fee is non-refundable, whether your application is approved or not.
What You Receive and What to Do With It
The approved e-visa arrives by email as a PDF. Print it. Some immigration officers accept a screen display on a phone. Printing eliminates the risk of a dead battery or a failed network connection at the counter. Carry the printed e-visa with your passport.
On arrival, present the printed e-visa and your passport at the immigration counter. Do not queue in the visa-on-arrival line.
Visa on Arrival — What to Expect at the Counter
Visa on arrival is available at Cambodia’s major international airports and at some land border crossings. You collect the visa at the immigration counter when you land, pay the fee in cash, and receive a passport stamp allowing a 30-day stay.
Where Visa on Arrival Is Available
Visa on arrival is confirmed at the following entry points:
- Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh
- Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
- Sihanouk International Airport, Sihanoukville
- Bavet land crossing (Cambodia-Vietnam border, on the Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City route)
- Selected other land border crossings with Vietnam and Laos — confirm the specific crossing you plan to use before travel
Thai-Cambodian land crossings are currently closed. Do not plan a visa on arrival at any Thai border point.
Visa on Arrival Requirements
Bring the following to the counter:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity and one blank page
- One printed passport-style photo (4 by 6 centimeters)
- The visa fee in US dollars, cash — the counter does not accept cards
- A completed arrival card, which is distributed on the flight or available at the counter
Carry clean, undamaged US dollar bills. Torn or marked notes may be refused at the counter.
Visa on Arrival Fee and Queue Reality
The visa-on-arrival fee for a tourist visa is $30 USD, payable in cash. During peak arrival times, the queue at the visa counter can run 30 to 60 minutes. Evening international flights into Techo and Siem Reap Angkor in December and January see the longest waits. Off-peak arrivals move faster. The e-visa avoids the queue entirely, which is the main reason to apply in advance.
Air travelers must also complete the Cambodia e-Arrival Card within seven days before arrival. Submit it online at arrival.gov.kh or through the official mobile app. The card is free and generates a QR code you present at immigration.
Nationalities Exempt from a Cambodia Visa
ASEAN member states, and a small number of other countries, enter Cambodia without visas. The permitted stay varies by nationality — do not assume all exemptions allow the same duration.
| Country | Visa-Free Stay |
|---|---|
| Brunei | 14 days |
| Indonesia | 30 days |
| Laos | 30 days |
| Malaysia | 30 days |
| Myanmar | 14 days |
| Philippines | 21 days |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| Thailand | 14 days |
| Vietnam | 30 days |
| Seychelles | 30 days |
A trial visa exemption for Chinese passport holders is in effect during specific seasonal windows. Check the official Cambodian immigration portal for the current dates and duration. The exemption list changes. Confirm your specific nationality against the official list published by the Cambodian General Department of Immigration before booking.
Passport Requirements
Your passport must meet three conditions to enter Cambodia.
Validity Period
Cambodia requires that your passport remain valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date. A passport expiring in four months does not meet the requirement, even if the travel dates fall within the remaining validity. Renew before you book.
Blank Pages
A minimum of one blank page is required. The visa stamp and entry and exit stamps will fill at least one page. Travelers with nearly full passports should renew before departure.
Photo Requirements
Both the e-visa application and the visa on arrival require a passport-style photo. For the e-visa, upload a digital photo in JPEG format, 4 by 6 centimeters. For the visa on arrival, bring a printed photo of the same dimensions. Carry at least two printed copies upon arrival — photo booths are available at larger airports, but having photos ready avoids delays.
Tourist Visa vs. Business Visa
Most travelers visiting Cambodia for tourism use the tourist visa, classified as T class. The business visa, classified as E-class, is suitable for longer stays and professional purposes.
| Feature | Tourist Visa (T Class) | Business Visa (E Class) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial stay | 30 days | 30 days |
| Extendable | Once, for 30 additional days | Multiple extension options up to 12 months |
| Available as an e-visa | Yes | Yes |
| Paid work permitted | No | Yes, with the correct extension |
Peregrine guests use the tourist visa. The business visa is mentioned here for completeness only.
Extending Your Cambodia Tourist Visa
The tourist visa can be extended once for an additional 30 days, giving a maximum stay of 60 days. Apply before your current visa expires — start the process at least a week ahead.
Where to apply: the General Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh handles extensions directly. Licensed visa agents in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap also process the paperwork for a service fee above the government rate. Both routes are legal and common.
Bring your passport, your current visa, one passport photo, and the extension fee in US dollars. Processing takes several business days. Do not let your visa expire while the extension is processing — apply with enough margin.
Visa Overstay — Penalties and What Happens at Departure
The Cambodia visa overstay penalty is $10 USD per day, collected in cash at the airport or land border when you depart. The fine is calculated from the day after your visa expired to the day you leave. You must pay the full amount before you are permitted to depart.
A traveler who overstays by five days owes $50 in US dollars at the immigration counter. If you do not have the cash, your departure is held until payment is arranged.
For short overstays of up to 30 days, the daily penalty payment typically resolves the matter at departure. Overstays of more than 30 days carry additional consequences, including possible detention, deportation, and future entry bans. Do not test the limit.
The practical rule is simple. Know your visa expiry date. Set a reminder five days before it arrives. Extend or depart before it passes.
Entry Points — Airports and Land Borders
Cambodia has three international airports and multiple land border crossings. Two of the three airports carry new names that older guides and some booking systems still do not reflect.
International Airports
| Airport | City | VOA Available | e-Visa Accepted | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Techo International | Phnom Penh | Yes | Yes | Replaced the old Phnom Penh International. IATA code PNH retained |
| Siem Reap Angkor International | Siem Reap | Yes | Yes | About 40 km from town. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for the transfer |
| Sihanouk International | Sihanoukville | Yes | Yes | Limited international routes |
Techo International Airport replaced the former Phnom Penh International Airport. Some booking systems and older guides still reference the previous name. If your flight confirmation shows a Phnom Penh arrival, you will land at Techo.
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport sits roughly 40 kilometers from the town center. The old airport was a short ride from the center. The new airport is not. Plan for a 45- to 60-minute transfer.
Land Borders
Cambodia-Vietnam: The main crossing for travelers combining the two countries is Bavet-Moc Bai, on the Phnom Penh-to-Ho Chi Minh City route. Visa on arrival is available on the Cambodian side. Confirm that your Vietnamese visa or exemption covers the Vietnamese side separately.
Cambodia-Laos: The main crossing is at Trapeang Kriel-Nong Nok Khiene. Visa on arrival is available. Some travelers use the crossing when traveling between Cambodia and southern Laos.
Cambodia-Thailand: Thai-Cambodian land crossings are currently closed. The most commonly used crossing in normal operations — Poipet-Aranyaprathet — is among those inaccessible. Travelers combining Cambodia and Thailand must route by air. Flights connect Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to Bangkok.
Your Responsibility — and How We Can Help
Peregrine provides the information on the page as a planning guide. Visa rules, fees, and exemption lists change without notice, and the information here is reviewed quarterly. The last review date appears at the top of the page.
Guests hold responsibility for valid travel documents. Confirm current requirements with the Royal Embassy of Cambodia or your nearest Cambodian consulate before travel. For questions about a specific nationality or a multi-country routing, reach us at sales@peregrinetreks.com or WhatsApp +977 985 105 2413. We will point you to the right official source.
Ready to plan the trip? See our Cambodia tour packages for fully operated private itineraries with every transfer, pass, and permit handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Cambodia?
Most nationalities do. ASEAN member states, and a small number of other countries, are exempt for stays of 14 to 30 days. Everyone else needs either the e-visa applied for online at evisa.gov.kh or a visa on arrival at approved entry points. Check the exemption table in the article for your nationality.
What is the official Cambodia e-visa website?
The official Cambodian government e-visa portal is evisa.gov.kh. Any site charging a higher fee is unofficial and adds a markup. Confirm that the URL ends in .gov.kh before entering personal or payment information. Bookmark the official portal before you begin.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Cambodia?
Yes, at the three international airports — Techo in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Angkor International, and Sihanouk International — and at some land border crossings. Bring your passport, one printed passport photo, and the fee in US dollars cash. The e-visa avoids the arrival queue and is recommended for peak-season arrivals.
How long can I stay in Cambodia on a tourist visa?
The Cambodia tourist visa allows a 30-day stay from the date of entry. You can extend it once for 30 additional days, giving a maximum of 60 days. Apply for the extension at the General Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh before your current visa expires.
What is the penalty for overstaying a Cambodia visa?
The overstay penalty is $10 USD per day, collected in cash at the airport or border when you depart. You must pay the full amount before being permitted to leave. Overstays beyond 30 days carry additional risks, including detention and deportation. Know your visa expiry date and extend or depart before it passes.
Is the Cambodia-Thailand land border open?
Thai-Cambodian land border crossings are currently closed. Travelers combining Cambodia and Thailand must fly. Flights connect Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to Bangkok. Check the current border status before booking any itinerary that depends on an overland crossing.
How much passport validity do I need for Cambodia?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Cambodia. You also need at least one blank page. If your passport is close to expiry or nearly full, renew it before travel rather than hoping for an exception at the border.
What is the Cambodia e-Arrival Card?
The e-Arrival Card is a mandatory digital form for all travelers arriving by air. Submit it online at arrival.gov.kh within seven days before your flight. The card is free and generates a QR code you present at immigration. The e-Arrival Card is separate from your visa — you need both.