Aside from ASEAN nationals, all visitors to Cambodia require a visa. Tourist visas are available for a set fee but this fee is often higher if you purchase a visa at a popular land border crossing, making it wise to organise a visa in advance. This can be done at any Cambodian embassy or consulate or through a travel agent.

Both of Cambodia’s international airports offer visas on arrival, as do all land border crossings with Thailand but only limited land border crossings with Vietnam and Laos offer this option.

Tourist visas obtained in advance of arrival allow for stays of up to 30 days, after which they can be extended for a further 30-day period for a fee in Phnom Penh or elsewhere via a travel agent. From the time of issue, the visa must be used within three months.

In order to be eligible for a Cambodian visa you must have a passport that is valid for six months from the date of application, two passport size photographs and the correct fee in US dollars. Dismal exchange rates are common practice so having the correct change is always recommended.

The alternative to getting a visa upon arrival or applying at a Cambodian embassy in advance of travel is to obtain an e-Visa online. Inevitably, this will be at a slightly higher rate than if you were to apply for a visa in person at an embassy or on arrival in Cambodia. Once you apply, the electronic visa is processed within three working days with the applicant will receive a PDF file by email which then needs to be printed out and shown at immigration upon entry.

e-Visa entries are restricted to the two international airports and the following land border crossings: Bavet from Tay Ninh Province (Vietnam), Koh Kong from Trat (Thailand), and Poipet from Aranyaprathet (Thailand).