Cambodia: Visas and Vaccinations

Passport/visa requirements: In order to visit Cambodia, a visa is required for most nationalities. A passport with at least six month validity is required. Philippine and Malaysian nationals do not require tourist visas for a stay up to 21 and 30 days respectively. Singaporean nationality is also exempt from the usual visa requirement. Visa on arrival is not permitted for holders of the following passports: Afghanistan; Algeria; Bangladesh; Iran; Iraq; Pakistan; Saudi Arabia; Sri Lanka; and Sudan. Holders of these passports must obtain a Cambodian visa before arriving in the country. Holders of these passports are also required to hold a sponsor letter or invitation from a company / organization / travel agent, and you are also advised to hold a valid return ticket.

Availability: Cambodian visas are available on arrival at all international airports in Cambodia (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap), at overseas Cambodian embassies , at most international border crossing checkpoints in Cambodia, and through the new online E-Visa procedure.

Issuance requirements and price: Issuance of a visa on arrival at the airports and international border crossings is relatively quick and easy, taking about 20-30 minutes. One 4x6 photo is required.

30-day tourist visa (Type ‘T’): US$20

Tourist visas can be extended for one month, but only one time.

30-day business visa (Type ‘E’): US$25

Business visas can be renewed indefinitely, one month, three months, six months or one year at a time.

Diplomatic, Official, Courtesy, and Special (Cambodian) visas are issued free of charge.

At overland international border checkpoints with Thailand, visa prices are often set in Thai baht making them significantly more expensive than the official visa price in US dollars. See below.

E-Visa: The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs now offers 'e-visa' - visas available online through the Ministry's website. Scan of passport and passport size photo required. Payment by credit card. US$25 for a 30 day visa (three month validity.) Processing time: 3 days. Issued by email and print from from your computer. The Ministry recently announced that e-visa entry points now include Siem Reap International Airport, Phnom Penh International Airport, the Bavet/Moc Bai border crossing, the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing and the Koh Kong/Had Lek border crossing. To order an E-visa see the following website: http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/index.php?version=eng

Visa Renewal: Renew visas through a travel agent or the ‘Department for Foreigners’ on Confederation de Russie (‘Airport Road’), located opposite Phnom Penh International Airport. Tel: 012-581558. Fax: 023-890380. E-mail: visa_info@online.com.kh. Renew Diplomatic, Courtesy and Official visas at the Consular section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Visas at Overland Border Crossings
Border crossing with Laos: Border policies are not stable. Travelers report that Cambodian visas are available at the border but Laotian visas are not available at the border.

Border crossings with Vietnam: Cambodian visas are available at the Moc Bai/Bavet and 'Chau Doc' border crossings. Vietnamese visas are not available at any overland border crossing.

Border crossings with Thailand: Cambodian visas and 30-day Thai transit visas are available at all Thai/Cambodian border crossings. Thai transit visas are free of charge. Other types of Thai visas are not available. At the Poipet and Koh Kong crossings, Cambodian immigration usually charges 1000-1200 baht for a tourist visa and 1500-1600 baht for a business visa. Unlike the rest of the country, they usually refuse dollars. At current exchange rates, the price in baht is significantly more expensive than the official prices of $20 and $25. Some people have had some success paying the official price in dollars by being politely insistent.

Border Crossing Scams/Annoyances
Be prepared for minor scams from the border guards at the overland border crossings, especially at Koh Kong and Poipet.

Scam #1: Drivers and touts will insist that you need their help to obtain a visa. This is not true. They want to charge an extra fee. The visa process is easy, straightforward and do-it-yourself. Do not accept their ‘assistance’ as it is not necessary and will only lengthen the process and increase the cost.

Scam #2: Immigration police may try to overcharge 100-300 baht for the visa, or charge 100 baht for the normally free exit/entry stamp. Try asking for a receipt.

Scam #3: Some Khao San Road based companies sell bus tickets promising transport from Bangkok to Siem Reap via Poipet. But instead the bus goes through the much more isolated Pailin crossing where passengers are subjected to more scams (overpriced visas, extra charges for transportation, change to inferior transportation, etc.) and have little recourse due to the isolation of the crossing.

When dealing with officials, there is usually room for polite explanations and bargaining. One sometimes-successful approach is to smile, say "no, thank you", smile some more, perhaps act like you don't understand and walk away. This technique may or may not work but it has a greater likelihood of success than simply refusing to do what they are asking or, even worse, becoming argumentative or showing anger.

Vaccinations
None are required but some may be advisable.

Travel physicians often recommend some or all of the following vaccinations and prophylactics. This list was compiled from magazine articles about travel in Cambodia. IT IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. Consult your travel physician and the CDC website to determine which if any of the vaccinations you should receive.

Hepatitis A - A food borne disease, not uncommon in Cambodia.

Vaccination: Injection series.
Hepatitis B - Transmitted primarily by sexual contact, shared needles and contaminated blood. Prevalent in Cambodia.

Vaccination: Injection series.
Typhoid - A food borne disease, not uncommon in Cambodia.

Vaccination: Injection or pill series.
Japanese Encephalitis - A mosquito borne disease. Limited to parts of Cambodia.

Vaccination: Injection series.
Cholera - A food/water borne disease. Occasional outbreaks in some parts of Cambodia.

Vaccination: Injection.
Rabies - A bodily fluid borne disease. Present in Cambodia. Generally limited to certain professions.

Vaccination: Injection series.
Malaria - A mosquito borne disease. Prevalent in some parts of Cambodia.

Vaccination: None. Prophylactic pills and/or good mosquito prevention habits. Mefloquine (Lariam) resistance has been reported in Cambodia.

Tetanus - Make sure your tetanus vaccination is up-to-date..

Vaccination: Single Injection.

Childhood diseases - polio, measles, mumps, rubella, etc - If you are going to be working with children such as doing volunteer work at and orphanage or teaching, it may be advisable to update your childhood disease vaccinations.

Other diseases of concern:
AIDS/HIV - A bodily fluid borne disease. Prevalent in Cambodia, particularly amongst commercial sex workers. Avoid blood products except in emergencies. Practice safe sex.
Dengue Fever - A mosquito borne disease. Prevalent in some parts of Cambodia, particularly at certain times of year. No vaccination or prophylactic available. Practice good mosquito bite prevention habits.
Worms - A food borne parasite. Eat at reputable restaurants. Practice good hygiene. Beware of street food. Beware of undercooked meat.
Giardia, Salmonella - Food/water borne diseases. Eat at reputable restaurants. Practice good hygiene. Beware of street food.

Updated: March 2008