Reopening Cambodia Tourism - Everything you need to know

Quite simply if you have been vaccinated you now apply for a visa and come to Cambodia “as normal”. The visa on arrival system is also re-instated to facilitate the re-opening process of the country. Hence, the entry requirements to Cambodia is now almost back to normal for the fully vaccinated travelers.

This will supersede the Sihanoukville sandbox program that was previously announced. If though you test positive you will need to quarantine and at your own expense.

Those not vaccinated will also need to quarantine for 14 days, as well as not be able to actually visit anywhere when your quarantine ends!

During covid, here is the current entry requirements of Cambodia government

At the moments, there is no requirements to have entry to Cambodia. However, if you are not fully vaccinated you will have a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. 

If you are fully vaccinated, you need to show to vaccination proof upon arrival, and you are free to travel around the country.

Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Cambodia.

Children aged 17 and under who are not vaccinated will be quarantined in accordance with the period that applies to the accompanying adult(s).

Transiting through Cambodia and staying in the airport (airside) is not currently permitted.

If you are transiting through Cambodia on your way to another country and will be passing through immigration (sometimes known as a layover), for example to stay in a hotel for a flight the next day, you need to meet the entry requirements applicable to your vaccination status.

There are no exemptions to these entry requirements.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Cambodia. Entry is normally refused if you have a damaged passport or pages missing.

Your passport should also be valid for a minimum period of 6 months for any subsequent renewal or extension of your visa that you apply for from within Cambodia.

Visas

You are now can apply for both Cambodia's Visa on arrival, eVisa, or via a Cambodia's embassy abroad.

Visa fees, conditions and photograph requirements are subject to change. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation website for the latest information on fees, conditions and photograph requirements and on how to apply for an e-visa or a visa on arrival.

Tourist visas issued by a Royal Cambodian Embassy abroad may appear to have a longer validity than 1 month. The validity of the visa refers to time you have to enter Cambodia. The visa is valid for 30 days from the actual date of entry into Cambodia. Make sure your passport is stamped on arrival, and keep the departure form. If you lose your departure form, you’ll need to contact immigration officials before you leave the country to make alternative arrangements.

You can be fined, detained and deported if you overstay your visa. There is a fine of $10 per day for overstaying the validity term of your visa. There is no limit to this fine. Those who overstay more than 30 days will need to leave Cambodia in addition to paying the fine.

Here is more more detail about Cambodia visa

Foreigner registration

The Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Immigration will DENY VISA EXTENSIONS for foreigners who are not registered on the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS). The FPCS will be used to record and manage foreigners’ information when they arrive at any entry point and record their data when they leave Cambodia. Its main objective is to protect foreigner safety and security in case of an emergency during their stay in Cambodia. Registration applies to all foreigners present in Cambodia, including tourists and residents.

The latest information on visa extension arrangements from the relevant authorities is:

• tourist visa: there is no longer an automatic extension for those who entered Cambodia on a tourist visa and overstay fines are now applicable, although there may be exceptions to this. Contact the General Department of Immigration directly to determine if you fall within the excepted dates
• other visas: for non-tourist visas such as EG visas, there is no automatic extension in place and these can be renewed at any time by contacting Cambodian Immigration

The Immigration Department has clarified that registration is the responsibility of the host (landlords/hotel owners) not of the foreign resident/tourist. Foreigners will not face any fine if they are not registered, but will not receive their visa extension until the landlord/hotelier has input the foreigners details in the system.

You should check with your host to confirm that they have registered you on the app, and if not, then to ask them to do so.

If you have no landlord/own your own home, you will need to register yourself.

The FPCS app is free to download on iOS and Android. There is a video tutorial from the General Department of Immigration on how the app works (although the video has Khmer narration, the images are with English text: FPCS Video Tutorial

The in-app tutorial is in English. There are 6 steps for registration:

• create an account (phone number, password)
• upload a copy of your passport
• verify information
• enter valid phone number and password
• verify
• add information about accommodation

Regional travel

The Cambodia-Laos, Cambodia-Thailand and Cambodia-Vietnam land borders are closed to travellers.

Recent changes to visa requirements for Thailand may affect travellers wishing to make regular crossings at the land border between Cambodia and Thailand. See travel advice for Thailand for further information.

For further information about regional travel, see the travel advice for the specific country.

More general information on land border crossings from Laos and Vietnam is available e at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation website.

Work permits

To work in Cambodia, you’ll need a valid business visa and a valid work permit. Business visas are issued by the Immigration Department and are usually available on arrival in Phnom Penh airport, or at the Immigration Department. You may be able to apply for a Business visa in advance at your nearest Cambodian Embassy. Your employer will need to apply for your work permit from the Department of Labour and Social Affairs.

The Cambodian government is now enforcing these rules more strictly than in previous years. There is some uncertainty about whether the government will impose charges retroactively on individuals who did not have valid work permits previously. Procedures are subject to change and you should always consult the relevant Cambodian government department for the latest advice.

Cambodia has hit almost 90 percent of the population being vaccinated and life for the most part has resumed back to normal, or at least the “new normal” which involves face-masks social distancing and night clubs still be closed, for now….

The tourist infrastructure in the country has obviously been affected to some degree, but there are still plenty of hotels and bars in Phnom Penh waiting for tourists! Things in Siem Reap are not nearly as good, but at least Angkor Wat is open.

That said, it is the best time to visit Angkor Wat without the crowds

You certainly can! Sonasia Holiday, together with our partners are welcoming and surely guaranteeing a safe trip to Cambodia for the travelers from all over the world.

Below is the list of steps for travelers planning to visit Cambodia with Sonasia Holiday.

Pre-arrival

• Guests should check with airlines before their flight to Cambodia to clarify any requirements before boarding their flight.

Arrival

• Visa: all travellers by air, sea and land are eligible to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) when entering Cambodia
• Proof of full vaccination: at least 14 days prior to departure to Cambodia to be presented upon arrival; should show vaccine type and date of vaccination.
• Download ‘Tracerapp‘ before exiting the airport

During Stay

• Guests are encouraged to wear masks in public.
• Guests who test positive for COVID during their stay will be allowed to receive treatment or to self-isolate in their hotel.

Note: Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors will be subject to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival at facilities designated by the Cambodian Ministry of Health. Accordingly, we do not recommend travellers to visit Cambodia if they are not fully vaccinated. 

You can find below some of the recommended tour packages for you to explore the country in the “new normal”.

Here are all Cambodia tour packages. 

Should you need further information, feel free to contact our team at your own convenience.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VISIT CAMBODIA DURING COVID?

As long as you are fully vaccinated, you can visit Cambodia without quarantine. Vice versa, if you are not fully vaccinated / unvaccinated you need to follow a mandatory14-day quarantine.

WHERE CAN I TRAVEL IN CAMBODIA DURING COVID?

You can visit any places in Cambodia as long as you are fully vaccinated. If not, you need to finish your quarantine time (14 days) before starting any visit.

Here is places to visit in Cambodia

DO I NEED A VACCINE TO TRAVEL TO CAMBODIA?

No, you don't. As of today, COVID vaccination passports or certificates are not mandatory to enter Cambodia. However, if you are not fully vaccinated, you need to follow a 14-day quarantine.

DO I NEED A COVID-19 TEST RESULT TO ENTER CAMBODIA?

Following the latest annoucement from the government authorities, theres is no Covid test required to enter the Kingdom of wonders.

WILL I HAVE TO QUARANTINE ON ARRIVAL IN CAMBODIA?

Quarantine requirements: 14 days for unvaccinated travelers. Fully vaccinated travelers don't need to quarantine.

CAN I GET ENTRY WITHOUT ANY VACCINATION?

Yes you can, but you need to follow the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR VACCINES I NEED TO TAKE?

According to WHO and the country’s vaccination policies, the tourists traveling to a particular country need to get themselves vaccinated for the diseases like yellow fever, malaria, etc. If you are questioning that Do I need a vaccine to travel to Cambodia then the answer is yes, you need to get vaccinated to be able to travel to Cambodia without any hindrances. The vaccination is necessary to secure the lives of both, the residents of the country as well as the travelers. To avoid the outbreak of any undesirable endemic, this step is very crucial.

Here is vaccination guide for Cambodia