Cambodian Visa's - Essential Information

@Bhavna

I have posted this several times.

There are two ways to enter Cambodia, either vaccinated or unvaccinated.

Unvaccinated travellers have to undergo a rapid test, if negative they can continue, if positive with mild symptoms they can go to an apartment or hotel to isolate.

So indeed, vaccination is not mandatory.

In light with all the information provided, we can say that it is pretty clear now.

We are here to provide as much information as we can and it is still the traveller's responsibility to enquire from competent authorities.

Thank you everyone who has taken the time to share precious info on this thread.

Have a beautiful day,

Bhavna

@Bhavna
I have posted this several times.

There are two ways to enter Cambodia, either vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Unvaccinated travellers have to undergo a rapid test, if negative they can continue, if positive with mild symptoms they can go to an apartment or hotel to isolate.

So indeed, vaccination is not mandatory.
-@JoeKhme

According to the ministry of health (not a Facebook group) that's simply not accurate for transient travelers who don't have a residence in Cambodia.

It's very clearly written in the press release from the ministry of health.

People who don't have a residence within Cambodia are required to go where the government sends them and pay for it.

I'd love it if what you are saying is totally accurate.

Do you have any official government source that overrides the press release from the ministry of health?

Hello everyone,

Hope you're well and thank for all your messages.

Just a quick reminder that all members are helping as best they can.

This is done with the help of the official information of the country in which you live (or wish to live) but also by your own experiences that you share with the whole community, all in the respect of each other.

Also, don't hesitate to contact the competent authorities for official infos pertaining to your visa requests.

Have a nice day,

Mickaël

Expat.com - Team

I heard you can get the 1 year visa extension from the office near the Phnom Penh airport  21 days after landing for $190 as opposed to $280  Is this true.......

@Leon French

That's indeed the fee the DOI charges.

But be aware that you have to do quite some work before you can apply for an extension of stay, letter of application in Khmer, copy of your registration in the FRCS app, photo and so on.

Your passport needs to have 6 months validity left after the EOS expires plus it needs to have I think 2 blank pages left.

Good luck.

Joe

@JoeKhmer

As of I think the 7th October,  proof of covid 19 vaccination is  no longer required to enter Cambodia.  Hope that helps.

@metman57

It baffles me what the purpose of your post is.

It's correct but has nothing to do with visa extensions.

I have reported about all COVID restrictions lifted, so....

Joe

What type of visas on arrival (VOA) are available now ?

@narcrepellant2525

Tourist visa and Ordinary visa

How long I can extend ordinary visa?

@narcrepellant2525

1 and 3 months (single entry)

6 and 12 months (multiple entry)

Thanks Joe, these can be obtained on every border crossing? Btw do you have recommendation for some quiet town on seaside without gazillion scooters and cars running 24/7 ?

@narcrepellant2525

No no no. Extension of stay can only be granted by immigration in PP.

Easiest way is using an agent to do the work.

Visa on arrival is only tourist and ordinary visa, both valid for 30 days.

I entered Cambodia recently on a 1 month tourist VOA but only stayed 1 week. I'm hoping to return about 1 week after my first VOA expires, on an Ordinary VOA this time (or maybe an Ordinary eVisa if that is possible) with a view to getting a long term extension, is this possible or is there a minimum duration between granting of VOAs?

@hamabeo1923

Your initial visa was cancelled when you left the country.

You can come back any time, get a tourist or ordinary visa and go to an agent for extension.

Cheers.

Joe

How much is tourist visa on arrival? 30 USD ? How to deal with sucker in visa booth who wants to milk you for additional USD ?

@narcrepellant2525

Yes the tourist visa on arrival is $30.

Joe

How much is tourist visa on arrival? 30 USD ? How to deal with sucker in visa booth who wants to milk you for additional USD ?
-@narcrepellant2525

Arrive early in the morning at ground border crossings.

The officers only have power over you when there is a significant line.

Don't want to pay coffee money?

Please "wait over there".

Pay coffee money?

Welcome to Cambodia.

The times I've crossed into Cambodia, I've done it at about 8:00 a.m. and there hasn't been anyone in line and so no one ever asked me for coffee money.

Although if you're a big enough curmudgeon, they might just insist on money anyway.

Went from Ha Tien border crossing to Cambodian side and *** there in visa booth told me bunch of crap that he will "help" me to extend ordinary visa blabla (nonsense anyway) and demanded 10 USD for his "help". Eventually we settled on 100.000 VND, it was irritation - yes, but probably they bought their job there so they need to pay back bribes or amount of money god knows what. Similar situation like this is in Bulgaria where to get employment at the customs they pay 100.000 USD and guess what that money should come from people crossing the border, I had "pleasure" by *** customs official there demanding me to give him 5 EUR, which I refused in polite way, unbelievable.

@narcrepellant2525 The vietnam side at bavet has a similar situation. 2 guys - one has a long line and one does not. They are a couple of lazy punts with crap attitude. You put vnd100k in the passport and hand it to the guy that does not have a line. If no money he will refer you to the other line.

I have seen that on Cambodia side(Bavet)  VN people putting 100K VND in passport, what's purpose? You can not run anyway through the border, it takes some time. Cambodia border guard at Bavet showed me 100K bill, I said I don't have it and that was all. On the Kampot/Ha Tien side in Cambodia that dude was not easy to get rid of. He was hard into these 100K.

Hi Joe and other members....

Just wanted the latest on wether it was still possible to get a retirement visa if you were under 55 but could prove financial security.... is it also mandatory to have health insurance when you submit your application... thinking of returning in November of this year..... peace

@Aussiedave

Nothing has changed regarding visa extension based on retirement.

Under 55 you have to prove your retirement such as in case of disability or early retirement.

Part of the proof is a bank account that shows regular and sufficient funds coming in. No amount is mentioned so you have to convince the immigration officer.

Health insurance is not required.

Cheers.

Joe

I see contradicting reports on the requirements for ER, retirement visa extension. Some say  that over 55, passport only, nothing else. Others say pension or sufficient savings too. What is the current, exact condition?

Also, some say return/outbound ticket is needed to enter Cambodia. If I intend to stay with ER, I wouldn't need that. Can I enter so?

@Georgeous

Listen to the people who know.

If there would be a change I would have announced it here on the Cambodian forum.

Nothing has changed, Extension of Stay based on retirement is like before, passport and money, that's all.

The other requirements you mention are for applicants younger than 55, also no change there.

Cheers.

Joe

Thanks, but what does 'money' exactly mean?

Is regular income, e.g. pension required?

Or is a solid bank account accepted? If it is, how much is needed?

I would like to know that if possible.

Thank you.

Guys why make something simple so difficult?

Ok, I write it slowly:

If 55 years old or older you only need to go to an agent, give them your passport and the money for the visa extension.

It depends on how long you want to extend, one year is about $290, depending on the agent.

Under 55 you have to prove your retirement e.g showing disability certificate or other proof of retirement. Also you have to show regular income through bank statements.

These are the same requirements as have been valid for a long time.

Cheers.

Joe

Sorry, I can't go there and flop.

So money here means the visa fee, not a fund that I can support myself (pension or bank account). All clear, thanks a lot.

One last question. Then I will not need return/exit ticket. The airline will let me board, and the officer will let me enter without it. Right?

Thanks for your patience.

@Georgeous

Contact your airline and if necessary change.

It's not a requirement of Cambodian immigration, it's purely the airline's stupidity.

If you plan to stay at least a year in Cambodia how can they require a return ticket?

I think it's related to tourists, not to long term expats.

Cheers

@JoeKhmer There’s a reason why the airlines want to see the return ticket. It was explained to me some years ago. If the airline delivers you and immigration rejects you then they are responsible for returning you to your departure point.

Airlines should know which destination does which doesn't require return ticket and set their own rule accordingly.

Thanks Joe, I will ask them before buying the ticket.

One more question if I may. Only Phnom Penh and Siam Reap airport issue E visa on arrival or Sihanoukville too?

Thanks a lot as always.

@Georgeous You miss the point. It’s based on the fact that the immigration authorities can deny entry on a whim. Thus foisting financial responsibility of their decision onto travelers and airlines. Thus, the airlines typically attempt to assure their passengers bear financial responsibility in the unlikely event that one’s immigration is unsuccessful. There are simple no cost work arounds for the ticketing requirements. You can easily research this on the internet.

@mitsmaak

Years ago when it was a hot item it was proven that indeed airlines have to take a passenger back in case of denied entry, no matter the reason.

The worldwide solution was found in signing a voucher that declares that the passenger is responsible for the return costs in case of denied entry.

Problem solved

Still there are airlines that refuse the voucher system and demand return tickets. I would not fly with such an airline but if you really want there are websites where you can buy cheap onward tickets. They have been mentioned here by other members.

Again: Cambodian immigration does not demand a return or onward ticket.

Cheers.

Joe

One last question. Then I will not need return/exit ticket. The airline will let me board, and the officer will let me enter without it. Right?

It's not a "return ticket" that some overly cautious airlines sometimes require, and that very often happens when you arrive via a connecting flight, very often if you connect through Taiwan it happens.

It's called proof of "onward travel".

That can be a short flight ticket to a different country, on or before your initial visa or visa exemption expiration date.

It can also be a confirmed reservation for a bus ticket taking you out of the country.

There are some websites that can provide you a flight confirmation for a very small charge, but it's only good for a small window of opportunity, 48 to 72 hours, so it's best to purchase such a thing within one or two days of your flight at the most.

If you have the funds and you trust the airline, another way to go is to make a fully refundable purchase on a short flight into a neighboring country, for a date on or before your Visa or VISA exemption expiration.

Then as soon as you arrive safely in Southeast Asia, just cancel that flight for a full refund

You can tell the airlines that it's your plan to retire and get the visa extension once you enter the country but that's not really going to be enough proof for them to let go of their tough rules.

I recently entered Cambodia (Phnom Penh via Air Asia) from Vietnam and just received a 1 year retirement extension. You can read about my experience in this post in another thread.

In short: It is totally up to the airline regarding POOT, etc. and whether or not they let you board a flight.

To summarize my previous post: I bought a one way ticket to Cambodia and the airline upon check-in demanded that I have a ticket out of the country within 30 days of entry or they would not let me board. I bought a cheap one way ticket to Bangkok on the spot, then they demanded that I show them proof of PAID accommodation for my entire time in Cambodia. Then they demanded to see how much money I had on me (cash & bank/credit cards) to support myself. Only after I showed them all of that (and a discussion with a supervisor), they let me board.

This has NEVER happened to me before. BTW, I was well dressed (dress pants and shirt) and well groomed when I showed up at the airport.

In the end, everything worked out for but it was a major hassle trying to board the flight to come here.

Immigration in Cambodia was easy. Fill out the immigration form, give them $35, wait 5 minutes to receive my passport back with a visa on arrival. 

The Retirement Extension was just as easy.  I met with the visa agent, gave them a passport photo and $300 plus I signed the application.  I received my passport back (with the extension) in 5 business days.  I am over 55 so I did not to supply any further info.

YMMV.

Good luck.

@JanKrohn how long can I stay in the country if I want to retire there? Is it possible to stay in Camboida for up to 8 months?  (due to my country's regulations (the Netherlands) I cannot stay away longer then 8 months otherwise they reduce my pension tremendously,)

You can stay for up to 12 months at a time.

@Kaboom29 Oh really, you mean with extending my visa every month then?