Visas to Cambodia

Visas to Cambodia

Most nationalities receive a one-month visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports. The cost is US$20 for a tourist visa and US$25 for a business visa.

 

 


Most nationalities receive a one-month visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports. The cost is US$20 for a tourist visa and US$25 for a business visa. One passport photo is required and you’ll be ‘fined’ US$1 to 100B if you don’t have one. Those seeking work in Cambodia should opt for the business visa as, officially, it is easily extended for long periods and, unofficially, can be extended indefinitely, including multiple entries and exits. A tourist visa can be extended only once and only for one month, and does not allow, for re-entry.
Visas are now available at most of the land borders.
• Entering from Thailand, visas are available on arrival at the land crossings at Anlong Veng, Krong Koh Kong, O Smach, Pailin and Poipet. Travelers planning a day trip to Prasat Preah Vihear from Thailand do not require visas, but may be asked to leave their passport on the Thai side of the border to ensure they don’t continue on into Cambodia. Travelers are sometimes overcharged when crossing at land borders with Thailand, as immigration officials demand payment in baht and round up the figure considerably. Arranging a visa in advance in Bangkok avoids this potential problem.
• Travelers arriving overland from Vietnam can get a visa on arrival at the popular Bavet and Kaam Samnor crossings on NH1 and the Mekong River respectively. However, if crossing by the obscure border at Phnom Penh, arrange a visa in advance in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
• The land border with Laos is now an established crossing, but it is still necessary to arrange a Cambodian visa in advance. This can be done in Bangkok or Vientiane.
Overstaying your visa currently costs a whopping US$5 a day
Visa Extensions
Visa extensions are issued by a new immigration office located directly across the road from Phnom Penh International Airport. Tourist visas can be extended only once for one month, whereas business visas can be extended indefinitely as long as you come with a bulging wallet. You can probably even arrange citizenship if you bring enough greenbacks.
There are two ways of getting an extension – one official and one unofficial – and unsurprisingly the time and money involved differ greatly. Officially, a one-month extension costs US$30, three months US$60, six months US$100, and one year US$150; using the official route your passport will be held for 25 days and there will be more paperwork than a communist bureaucrat could dream up. This is fine for expatriates with an employer to make the arrangements, but those on their own really need to go unofficial. They don’t call it corruption in Cambodia but ‘under lhe table’, and you can have your passport back the next day for inflated prices of US$275 for one month, US$69 for three months, US$145 for six months and US$275 for one year. Once you are one of the ‘un-officials’, it is pretty straightforward to extend the visa ad infinitum. Recommended, travel agencies and some motorbike rental shops in Phnom Penh can help with arrangements, sometimes at a discounted price.
One passport photograph is required for visa extensions and there is a US$1 charge for the application form.

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