The Ultimate Cambodia Visa & Immigration Guide (2025)
This guide is designed to be the single most authoritative, data-driven, and actionable resource for demystifying Cambodia’s immigration system for 2025.
Visa Fundamentals: The Non-Negotiable Rules
Before delving into specific visa types, it is critical to understand the foundational entry requirements. Failure to meet these core rules is one of the most common reasons for being denied entry at an airport or land border, resulting in significant cost and disruption to travel plans.
CRITICAL: Check Your Passport Now
Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months from your date of entry. You must also have at least one completely blank page for the visa sticker. Airlines will deny you boarding if you do not meet this rule.
While most nationalities require a visa, Cambodia offers visa-free entry to citizens of all fellow ASEAN member states and a few other countries. This exemption allows for stays ranging from 14 to 30 days.
Visa Exemption Cheatsheet (Q4 2025)
| Country / Territory | Max. Visa-Free Stay | |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 30 Days | |
|
Passport TypeOrdinary
Key ConditionASEAN Member
|
||
| Laos | 30 Days | |
|
Passport TypeOrdinary
Key ConditionASEAN Member
|
||
| Malaysia | 30 Days | |
|
Passport TypeOrdinary
Key ConditionASEAN Member
|
||
| Philippines | 30 Days | |
|
Passport TypeOrdinary
Key ConditionASEAN Member
|
||
| Singapore | 30 Days | |
|
Passport TypeOrdinary
Key ConditionASEAN Member
|
||
| Vietnam | 30 Days | |
|
Passport TypeOrdinary
Key ConditionASEAN Member
|
||
| Thailand | 14 Days | |
|
Passport TypeOrdinary
Key ConditionASEAN Member (Note: Subject to change)
|
||
Short-Term Stays: e-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival
For most travelers, the 30-day Tourist (T) Visa is the simplest option. The most convenient method is the e-Visa. It is imperative to use only the official government website: evisa.gov.kh. Numerous fraudulent third-party sites exist.
The Visa on Arrival (VoA) is another popular option, available at international airports and most major land crossings. You fill out a form, provide one passport photo, and pay the $30 USD cash fee. Important: You must pay in clean, untorn US dollars.
Insider Tip: Master the New e-Arrival Workflow
All travelers entering by air must now complete the free Cambodia e-Arrival Card online within 7 days of their flight. This system has a built-in electronic VoA application. Fill it out in advance to get a QR code and use a much faster, streamlined queue at the airport.
The Critical Decision: Tourist (T) vs. Ordinary (E) Visa
This is the single most important decision you will make if you plan to stay in Cambodia for more than 60 days.
Both the Tourist (T) Visa and the Ordinary (E-Class) Visa are valid for 30 days upon entry. The E-Visa costs $35 (vs. $30 for the T-Visa). The $5 difference is negligible compared to the mistake of choosing the wrong one.
A Tourist (T) Visa can be extended only once for an additional 30 days. After a maximum of 60 days, you must physically leave Cambodia. It cannot be converted to any long-term visa. This is a dead end.
An Ordinary (E) Visa is the gateway to all long-term residency. This initial 30-day visa can be converted inside Cambodia into a 1, 3, 6, or 12-month “Extension of Stay” (EOS) — and renewed indefinitely.
The takeaway: If there is any chance you will stay longer than two months, you must get an Ordinary (E-Class) Visa upon entry. Failing to do this will force you to pay for a “visa run” (a flight to Thailand or Vietnam and back) just to re-enter on the correct visa.
The E-Visa Extension Maze: EB, ER, ES, & EG
Once you’re in Cambodia on an initial 30-day E-Visa, you must apply for an “Extension of Stay” (EOS) before it expires. This is typically handled by private visa agencies.
There are four primary EOS categories. Choosing the right one is essential for your long-term compliance.
| Visa Type | Purpose | |
|---|---|---|
| EB (Business) | Working, freelancing, running a business | |
|
Key RequirementValid Work Permit
12-Month Cost (Avg)$270 – $300
Entry Type (6/12mo)Multiple-Entry
Work Permit Needed?Yes
Ideal ForExpats with jobs, entrepreneurs
|
||
| ER (Retirement) | Retiring in Cambodia | |
|
Key RequirementAge 55+, proof of retirement & funds
12-Month Cost (Avg)$275 – $300
Entry Type (6/12mo)Multiple-Entry
Work Permit Needed?No
Ideal ForRetirees with stable income
|
||
| ES (Student) | Studying at a registered institution | |
|
Key RequirementOfficial letter of enrollment
12-Month Cost (Avg)Varies (approx. $290)
Entry Type (6/12mo)Multiple-Entry
Work Permit Needed?No
Ideal ForUniversity/language students
|
||
| EG (Job Seeker) | Exploring job/business opportunities | |
|
Key RequirementInitial E-Class visa
Max Duration6 Months (Not renewable long-term)
Work Permit Needed?No
Ideal ForNew arrivals planning to find work
|
||
The Strategic Expat Pathway
For new expats, the most compliant route is: 1. Enter on a 30-day E-Visa. 2. Apply for a 3- or 6-month EG (Job Seeker) extension to find work. 3. Once you have an employment contract, convert to a 6- or 12-month EB (Business) extension and begin the work permit process.
The Work Permit Mandate: Not Optional
The single biggest change in Cambodian immigration is the strict enforcement linking the EB (Business) Visa to a valid Work Permit. The era of “grey area” residency is over.
By law, every foreign national employed in Cambodia must have a Work Permit. Immigration (GDI) and the Ministry of Labour (MLVT) now share data. This means you will be denied a 6- or 12-month EB visa extension without proof of a valid (or in-process) work permit.
CRITICAL WARNING: Fines are Severe
Do not ignore this. Under Joint Prakas 498, an employer hiring a foreigner without a work permit faces a fine of KHR 12,600,000 (~$3,150 USD) per employee. Self-employed foreigners face even larger fines, deportation, and imprisonment.
Work Permit Fines & Penalties (2025)
| Violation | Liable Party | |
|---|---|---|
| Employing foreigner with no Work Permit | Employer | |
|
Monetary FineKHR 12,600,000 (~$3,150)
SanctionsImprisonment (6 days – 1 month)
SourceJoint Prakas 498
|
||
| Self-employed with no Work Permit | Individual Foreigner | |
|
Monetary FineKHR 50,400,000 (~$12,600)
SanctionsImprisonment (up to 3 months), deportation
SourceJoint Prakas 498
|
||
| Failure to apply for annual Quota | Employer | |
|
Monetary FineUp to KHR 2,520,000 (~$630)
SanctionsInability to legally hire new foreign staff
SourceJoint Prakas 659
|
||
Cambodia’s “Accessibility Advantage”
Why choose Cambodia over Thailand or Vietnam? In short: accessibility. While its neighbors create high financial barriers, Cambodia’s system is based on purpose (being retired or employed) rather than wealth.
Thailand’s LTR “Wealthy Pensioner” visa, for example, requires a minimum passive income of $80,000 per year. Vietnam’s Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is strictly tied to corporate sponsorship.
Cambodia’s ER (Retirement) visa simply requires proof of retirement and funds (no $80k minimum), and the EB (Business) visa’s main hurdle is the ~$200 work permit, not a high salary. This makes it the most realistic long-term option for most expats.
Regional Comparison: Min. Financials for Retirees (2025)
*Cambodia requires “proof of sufficient funds” but does not set a high, official minimum income like $80,000.
Final Compliance: Overstay & FPCS
Two final systems to be aware of:
1. FPCS: The “Foreigners Present in Cambodia System” requires all landlords and hotels to register your presence with the GDI. This is why your visa agent will ask for a copy of your lease agreement.
2. Overstay Fines: Do not let your visa expire. The penalty for overstaying is $10 per day, paid in cash when you exit the country. A significant overstay can lead to deportation and a ban from re-entering.
Insider Tip: Do NOT Go to Immigration
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) headquarters is an administrative office where agents submit documents in bulk. Do not go there yourself to apply for an extension. You will face long waits, language barriers, and be told to use a visa agent.
Key Immigration Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the #1 mistake to avoid? +
Getting a Tourist (T) Visa on arrival when you plan to stay longer than 60 days. The T-Visa can only be extended once, forcing you to leave the country. You must get an Ordinary (E-Class) Visa ($35) to access long-term extensions.
Is the Cambodia e-Arrival Card free? +
Yes. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card is 100% free and mandatory for all air travelers. Complete it on the official website arrival.gov.kh or the official app within 7 days of your flight.
Can I work on a Retirement (ER) Visa? +
No. The ER visa strictly prohibits any form of employment in Cambodia. It is only for those who are genuinely retired and can prove they have sufficient funds (like a pension) to support themselves.
What happens if I overstay my visa? +
The standard fine for overstaying is $10 USD per day. You must pay this fine in cash at the airport upon departure. A major overstay (e.g., 30+ days) can result in detention, deportation, and a ban from re-entering Cambodia.
Is a Work Permit really mandatory for my EB visa? +
Yes. Since 2024, enforcement is strict. You will be denied a 6- or 12-month EB visa extension without a valid Work Permit (or proof of application). The era of working without one is over.
Don’t Risk Costly Mistakes
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