Cambodia Tourist Red Tape and FAQs
Updated July 2011
For those who have never been to Cambodia and who are considering travelling here, Khmer 440 has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers dealing with visas, immigration, customs, money, health and crime.
Visas when arriving by air
The simplest way to get a tourist visa is on arrival rather than making an unnecessary trip to a local Cambodian Embassy, assuming a traveller’s country even has one.
The process on arrival at the newly refurbished Phnom Penh international airport is then straightforward if time consuming. Travellers fill in their visa/departure arrival forms and then line up with other arrivees. A passport photograph is expected and travellers who do not bring one are often made to wait and then charged an extra dollar or two and allowed in anyway. Tourist visas are non multiple entry and cost $20 for thirty days although they can be extended for another thirty days for an extra $20. If a traveller needs to extend then there is no reason to return to the airport as many travel agents in Phnom Penh can take care of the process.
The Khmer authorities have recently installed new computer systems at passport control which has slowed down the procedure of getting through to the baggage reclaim so a useful tip for travellers is make an effort to be first in line when it?s time to apply for a visa.
Visas when arriving by land
There are six entry points by land and visas are available at each. Technically visas should cost the same as when arriving by air but tourists coming from Thailand will be asked for between 1000 and 1100 baht for a 30 day tourist visa thereby being scammed of about $5. Cambodian law clearly states that a tourist visa costs $25 for 30 days so travellers are within their rights to firmly complain if the border guard insists on 1000 baht or more.
Are there any other complications?
Not really. Travellers need not show proof of onward travel or sufficient funds for the length of their stay. The Visa form itself is simple and can be completed quickly. Travellers from African, South Asian, Middle Eastern countries are usually scrutinised far more thoroughly than Westerners however and this particularly applies at Phnom Penh International Airport since the arrival of the new US funded computer equipment.
What if I want to stay longer?
This is a simple process. Travellers can apply for a business visa on arrival. These cost $25 for the initial 30 days and can be extended for as long as you want via any number of small businesses in Phnom Penh with ?Lucky! Lucky!? motorbike rental shop being especially popular.
The 6 month and 12 month business visas cost $145 and $280 respectively and are both multiple entry. When extending visas it is not advisable to go to the Dept of Foreigners. Instead most travellers deal with a local travel agent where their passport, money and a photo is all that is needed for a next day service. Travellers should ensure that their business visa is labelled E Class.
Is there a departure tax at the airport?
No. Since April 2011 the departure tax has been included in the price of your plane ticket.
What happens if I overstay by mistake?
If travellers overstay for a considerable period of time then they will need legal help. If they merely forget by a few days then they can expect a $30 fine plus an extra $5 for each day of their overstay. Unlike in Thailand, they won’t be thrown into jail.
Tell me about the immigration procedure on arrival.
Travellers give their passports to a uniformed official who will fill a whole page of their passports with a stamp. This procedure can take a few minutes and the newly computerised procedure at Phnom Penh International Airport has slowed matters down.
What about customs?
When flying in travellers are supposed to declare all sorts of electronic equipment but this is generally not a problem as these rules are, in practise, not enforced. Many business travellers bring in laptop computers and are neither stopped nor questioned.
How about getting from the airport to my hotel?
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