- Cambodia e-visa and visa on arrival both grant 30-day tourist stays for most non-ASEAN passport holders, processed online or at arrival.
- All arrivals must submit the e-Arrival Card digitally within 7 days before landing; skip it and face border delays.
- ASEAN citizens enjoy visa-free entry ranging from 7 to 30 days depending on nationality and current agreements.
- Passport validity of 6 months minimum, 1 blank page, return ticket, and passport photo are mandatory before any Cambodia visa application.
- China, Hong Kong, and Macao nationals receive temporary visa-free entry through October 2026.
Cambodia welcomed 6.7 million international tourists in 2024, a 22.9% jump from 2023 and 3.6 billion dollars in tourism revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism. This surge reflects the country's rising appeal, making it essential to understand your Cambodia visa options before arrival.
Most travelers enter via the Cambodia e-visa, visa on arrival, or visa-free arrangements depending on nationality. A valid passport, blank visa page, return ticket, and the new e-Arrival Card submission are non-negotiable for all arrivals. Getting these details right upfront eliminates delays at the border and clears your path to exploring this Southeast Asian destination.
What are Cambodia's entry requirements before you apply?
Before you touch any visa form, your passport must meet Cambodia's basic conditions. These prerequisites apply to nearly every traveler, regardless of nationality or visa type.
Get them right first, and the rest of your application moves smoothly.
Here is what you need in hand before you apply:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- At least 1 blank page in your passport for the visa sticker
- Proof of a return or onward ticket out of Cambodia
- A recent passport-sized photo for the application form
Since January 2025, every arrival must submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card online within the 7 days before landing. This single digital form covers immigration, customs, and health declarations. Skip it, and you risk delays at the border.
The e-Arrival Card is separate from your visa. You complete it close to departure, once your travel details are confirmed.
Keep the confirmation on your phone or printed, ready to show on arrival.
Requirements shift depending on your nationality and the visa you choose. Some travelers qualify for visa on arrival, others need the Cambodia e-visa, and a few must apply through an embassy.
US citizens should check the official US State Department page for Cambodia to confirm passport validity rules and current consular guidance.
The sections below break down each path in detail. You will find the Cambodia e-visa process, visa on arrival steps, and the tourist visa fees laid out one at a time.
Match your situation to the right route, and you skip the guesswork.
Do you actually need a visa for Cambodia?
Most travelers fit into one of three visa situations. Knowing yours takes the stress out of planning.
Find your category below, and you will know exactly what to do next.
The three Cambodia entry categories explained
Cambodia sorts arrivals into three groups based on nationality. Official sources keep this structure consistent, so it works as a reliable starting point.
Here are the three categories every traveler falls into:
- No visa required: you enter freely for a set number of days
- Visa on arrival or Cambodia e-visa available: typically valid for a 30-day stay
- Restricted entry: you must secure prior approval before traveling
Most U.S. tourists land in the second category. They use the Cambodia e-visa or visa on arrival, both valid for a 30-day stay.
Which nationalities enter Cambodia visa-free?
All ASEAN member states enjoy visa-free entry to Cambodia. This regional arrangement stays constant year to year. Permitted stays range from 14 to 30 days depending on your nationality.
These ASEAN passport holders enter without a visa:
- Brunei (14 days)
- Indonesia (30 days)
- Laos (30 days)
- Malaysia (30 days)
- Myanmar (14 days)
- Philippines (21 days)
- Singapore (30 days)
- Thailand (see note below)
- Vietnam (30 days)
A temporary measure grants visa-free entry to citizens of China, Hong Kong, and Macao until October 2026. Thai citizens now receive a reduced 7-day stay following the 2025 border situation, so confirm current terms before you cross.
If you hold a non-ASEAN passport, you almost certainly need a visa. The good news: the process is quick and largely online.
The next sections walk you through each route, starting with the Cambodia e-visa.
How does the Cambodia e-Visa work?
The Cambodia e-Visa is the fastest route for most non-ASEAN travelers. Here is how the system works and how you apply without ever visiting an embassy.
What is the Cambodia e-Visa and who manages it?
The Cambodia e-Visa is an electronic tourist visa launched in April 2006. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation created it to make tourism easier.
You apply entirely online, then carry a printed copy to the border.
The e-Visa is handled by the e-Visa Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not by embassies or travel agents. Apply only through the official platform: www.evisa.gov.kh. Any other site charges hidden fees or risks your data.
The Cambodia tourist e-Visa allows a single entry and a 30-day stay. The visa itself stays valid for 3 months from issue, so you have time to travel.
Most non-ASEAN passport holders qualify to apply online, with a short list of exceptions you can check on the official site.
How do you apply for the Cambodia e-Visa online?
The application runs through www.evisa.gov.kh in a few clear steps. Processing usually takes 3 business days, so apply at least a week before departure.
Have your passport, a digital photo, and a payment card ready before you start.
Follow these steps to complete your e-Visa:
- Create your application on the official site www.evisa.gov.kh
- Upload a clear passport scan and a recent digital photo
- Fill in your personal and travel details accurately
- Pay the 30 USD visa fee online by card
- Receive your e-Visa by email within 3 business days
- Print two copies, one for entry and one for exit
Keep both printed copies with your passport. Border officers take one slip when you arrive and the second when you leave Cambodia.
A digital version on your phone helps as backup, but printed paper remains the safest choice.
Questions? Use only the official contact page at www.evisa.gov.kh/contact_us. Dozens of copycat sites mimic the government design to overcharge travelers. Bookmark the real address and ignore search ads that promise faster service.
What is the Cambodia visa on arrival and how does it differ from the e-Visa?
Visa on arrival lets eligible travelers buy their visa at the point of entry, with no advance application. You collect it at Cambodia's three international airports or at major land border crossings.
Bring the right documents and cash, and you clear the counter in minutes.
The two routes share a 30-day validity but differ in where and how you apply. This table compares them side by side.
| Feature | Cambodia e-Visa | Visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online at www.evisa.gov.kh | At the airport or land border |
| Processing time | About 3 business days | On the spot, a few minutes |
| Validity | 30-day stay, 3 months to enter | 30-day stay |
| Accepted entry points | Selected airports and borders | All international airports and major land crossings |
| Required documents | Passport scan, digital photo | Passport, printed photo, return ticket |
| Payment method | Card, online | USD cash only |
Visa on arrival suits travelers who decide late or cross by land. The e-Visa works better if you want everything settled before you fly.
Either way, the 30 USD tourist visa fee stays the same.
A few habits save you stress at the counter. Keep these in mind before you reach the border.
- Bring the exact 30 USD fee in clean cash, since cards are not accepted
- Carry one recent passport-sized photo, printed, in case the desk requests it
- Expect longer queues at land borders than at airports, especially mid-morning
- Confirm in advance that your specific crossing issues visa on arrival, as smaller posts may not
Damaged or torn bills are sometimes refused. Pack crisp notes, and you avoid an awkward scramble at immigration.
How long can you stay on a Cambodia tourist visa?
Most tourist visas grant a 30-day stay, but the exact figure shifts with your passport type and nationality.
Visa-free arrivals follow their own tiers, while non-ordinary passports unlock longer windows.
Stay durations for ordinary passports
Ordinary passport holders, the type nearly every leisure traveler carries, fall into three duration tiers. Your nationality and entry category decide which one applies.
The three tiers break down like this:
- 7 days: applied to specific nationalities under current border measures
- 14 to 15 days: granted to several visa-free passport holders
- 30 days: standard for e-Visa and visa on arrival travelers
Thai nationals now receive a reduced 7-day stay following the 2025 border crisis. This marks a sharp drop from earlier visa-free terms, so Thai travelers should confirm conditions before each crossing.
Most US visitors land squarely in the 30-day tier. That gives you time to settle into Siem Reap without watching the clock.
If you plan to slow down and savor the temples at dawn, a 30-day window pairs well with a home base steps from Angkor at the Villa Agati rather than a string of one-night stays.
Stay durations for non-ordinary passports
Diplomatic, official, service, and special passports follow separate rules entirely. These categories serve government staff, mission personnel, and accredited delegates, not ordinary tourists.
Permitted stays here range wider, from 14 up to 90 days by nationality.
| Passport type | Permitted stay |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic | Up to 90 days |
| Official | Up to 60 days |
| Service | Up to 30 days |
| Special | 14 to 30 days |
These durations have shifted across decades of bilateral agreements. Some terms trace back to rule changes from 1980, refined repeatedly since.
Always verify your exact allowance with the issuing authority before you travel.
Which travelers face restricted entry to Cambodia?
A small number of nationalities cannot apply for a Cambodia e-Visa or visa on arrival. They sit in the restricted category and need advance clearance before any trip.
This route takes longer, so it pays to start early.
Here is who faces restrictions and what that means in practice:
- Kosovo passport holders, who cannot use the standard online or on-arrival routes
- A short list of nationalities flagged for additional security screening
- Travelers whose documents require prior approval from Cambodian authorities
Restricted entry means you secure your visa through a Cambodian embassy or consulate first. The e-Visa Bureau may also require manual review before issuing approval.
Without that clearance, the border will turn you away.
Processing can stretch across several weeks, so build buffer time into your plans.
If your passport falls in the restricted category, contact a Cambodian embassy or the e-Visa Bureau weeks ahead of travel. Confirm your exact requirements in writing before you book flights or accommodation.
Cambodia visa FAQ: what travelers ask most?
A few questions surface again and again from travelers planning a first Cambodia trip. Here are the clear answers, straight from current practice.
The most common visa concerns, settled quickly:
- Can you extend a tourist visa? Yes, ordinary tourist visas extend once for 30 days through an immigration office or agent.
- Passport under 6 months validity? You will be refused entry. Renew before you travel.
- Is the e-Arrival Card a visa? No. It is a separate digital declaration, not a substitute.
- How much does the visa cost? 30 USD for the standard tourist visa.
- Can children get their own visa? Yes, every traveler needs an individual visa.
Rules and temporary measures shift through 2026, so always verify current terms on www.evisa.gov.kh before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions about cambodia visa
What is a Cambodia e-visa and how do I apply for one?
A Cambodia e-visa is an electronic travel authorization processed online for most non-ASEAN passport holders, granting a 30-day tourist stay. To apply, you need a valid passport with 6 months validity, 1 blank page, a passport photo, and proof of a return ticket. The application is submitted online and typically processed within 1 to 3 business days. You will receive your Cambodia e-visa via email and must print it before arrival.
What is the difference between Cambodia visa on arrival and Cambodia e-visa?
Both the Cambodia e-visa and Cambodia visa on arrival grant 30-day tourist stays to non-ASEAN citizens. The main difference is timing: the e-visa is processed online before your trip, while the visa on arrival is obtained directly at the border upon landing. The e-visa is faster and eliminates border queues, making it the preferred option for most travelers.
Do I need to submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card separately from my visa?
Yes. Since January 2025, all arrivals must submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card digitally within 7 days before landing, regardless of which Cambodia visa or entry type you use. This form covers immigration, customs, and health declarations and is separate from your Cambodia e-visa or visa on arrival. Failing to submit it may result in delays at the border.
What are the entry requirements for Cambodia before applying for a visa?
Before applying for any Cambodia visa, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have at least 1 blank page for the visa sticker. You must also provide proof of a return or onward ticket and a recent passport-sized photo. These Cambodia entry requirements apply to nearly all travelers, regardless of nationality or visa type.
Do ASEAN citizens need a Cambodia tourist visa?
No. All ASEAN member states enjoy visa-free entry to Cambodia. Depending on your ASEAN nationality, you can enter for 7 to 30 days without a Cambodia visa or Cambodia e-visa. This regional arrangement remains consistent year to year, making entry straightforward for ASEAN passport holders.
What are the current Cambodia visa fees?
Cambodia e-visa fees vary by processor and typically range from $20 to $40 USD, depending on processing speed. The Cambodia visa on arrival costs approximately $30 to $35 USD when obtained at the border. Official government fees are lower, but many travelers use third-party services for convenience. Check the official Cambodia immigration website for current Cambodia tourist visa pricing.
