Most nationalities can get a Cambodia e-visa online for $36 USD, or a near-identical visa on arrival at the main entry points. It’s one of the more straightforward visa processes in Southeast Asia — but there are enough exceptions, extra fees, and entry-point quirks that it’s worth getting right before you fly.
Do You Need a Visa for Cambodia?
Almost everyone does. A handful of ASEAN nationalities (Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and a few others) can enter visa-exempt for short stays, but the large majority of travellers — including the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada and most of Asia outside ASEAN — need either an e-visa, a visa on arrival, or a pre-arranged visa from a Cambodian embassy.
There is no genuine “visa-free for tourists generally” category — always check your specific nationality on the official evisa.gov.kh site rather than assuming.
The E-Visa: Step by Step
This is the recommended route for almost everyone, because it lets you skip the arrival queue entirely.
- Go to evisa.gov.kh (the only official site — there are look-alike third-party sites that charge a large markup for the same service).
- Upload a passport photo and a scan of your passport’s bio page.
- Pay the $30 visa fee + $6 processing fee = $36 total, by credit card.
- Processing officially takes up to 3 business days, though it’s often faster — apply at least a week before you fly to be safe.
- Print the approval PDF (some airlines and immigration desks still ask for a paper copy) and bring it along with your passport.
The e-visa is a single-entry tourist (T) visa valid for 90 days from issue, allowing a stay of up to 30 days from the date you enter.
Visa on Arrival
If you didn’t get an e-visa in advance, visa on arrival is available at Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and most land borders with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. The process is the same paperwork as the e-visa — a photo, a form, $30 cash (USD) — but handled in person, and the queue can be slow during peak arrival times in high season (December–February).
Bring exact USD cash. Land border crossings in particular are notorious for “processing fee” add-ons of $2–5 above the official rate — these are unofficial but extremely common, and arguing rarely works. It’s an annoyance, not a scam to panic over.
Visa Cost and Validity at a Glance
| Visa type | Cost | Validity | Extendable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-visa (T) | $36 (incl. $6 fee) | 30 days, single entry | Once, +30 days |
| Tourist visa on arrival | $30 | 30 days, single entry | Once, +30 days |
| Ordinary/Business visa (E) | $35–$40 | 30 days | Multiple times, longer-term |
| ASEAN exemption | Free | 14–30 days depending on nationality | No |
If you might want to stay longer than a month, or you’re planning to come back to Cambodia within the same trip (for example via Vietnam or Thailand), the Ordinary (E) visa is the better choice — it costs about the same as the tourist visa but extends far more flexibly.
Extending Your Visa
Tourist visas can be extended once, for 30 days, through any travel agent in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap for around $45–50 (they handle the paperwork at the immigration department, which is faster and cheaper in practice than doing it yourself in person). Ordinary/business visas can be extended repeatedly and are the standard choice for long-stayers, even if you’re not actually doing business.
Overstay fines are $10/day, payable on departure — manageable for a few days, but it adds up and a long overstay can result in being blacklisted from re-entry, so don’t let it run.
Entry Requirements Beyond the Visa
- Passport validity: at least 6 months remaining from your date of entry, with at least one fully blank page.
- Onward travel: rarely checked, but airlines occasionally ask for proof you’re not arriving one-way with no exit plan.
- Health: no vaccination certificate is required for most travellers; see our health and safety guide for recommended (not mandatory) vaccinations.
- Cambodia e-Arrival Card: since January 2025, all travellers arriving by air must also submit a free e-Arrival Card online within 7 days before arrival, separate from the visa itself — don’t skip this even if you already have your e-visa approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my Cambodia visa? Yes — tourist visas extend once for 30 extra days; ordinary/business visas extend repeatedly. Use a local travel agent rather than navigating the immigration department yourself.
Can I get a Cambodia visa on arrival at the airport? Yes, at both Phnom Penh’s and Siem Reap’s international airports, and most land borders. It costs the same $30 as the tourist e-visa minus the $6 processing fee, paid in cash USD.
How long does the e-visa take to process? Officially up to 3 business days; in practice often 1–2. Apply at least a week ahead of travel to leave a safety margin.
Is the e-visa the same as visa on arrival? Functionally yes — both issue the same 30-day single-entry tourist visa. The e-visa just lets you skip the arrival-hall queue, which matters most at busy land borders.
Do I need a visa if I’m just transiting through Cambodia? If you don’t leave the airport transit area and your connection is same-day, no. If you’re clearing immigration at all — even for one night — you need a visa.
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Tom Mackay
Adventure travel writer covering the Mekong region.
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