How to Get a Cambodia Visa

Image Credit: Anantara Angkor Resort

Regardless of if you are a resident or a tourist visitor to Cambodia, in 2020 you will need to show a visa that allows you into the country and allows you to stay. While long-stay visas tend to get a little complicated, tourist visas are not. But compared to before, if you are planning on staying in Cambodia for a while you couldn't renew it at Immigration like you could in the past without being sponsored by a local company. Preference is given to retirement age or the locally employed.

1. An Important COVID19 Update

When applying for a visa to Cambodia in 2020, it is important to consider the latest updates concerning the Coronavirus pandemic and how that would affect your visa chances. As of May 27, 2020, the border between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam are still closed. Visas can be applied for only at a consulate or Cambodian embassy and the visitors must have a negative PCR COVID19 test within 72 hours of travel. You will also have to show proof of medical insurance amounting to coverage of $50,000. If you were already in Cambodia after the 1st of January, your visa would have been automatically renewed until April 30th.

2. Types of Cambodian Visas

There are many divisions and subdivisions of Cambodian visas. The first being T-Class or Tourist Class. It lasts 30 days and can be gained in advance or on arrival, in the case of most nationalities where you can get it at the airport on arrival for $30. The visa allows an only single entry and can be renewed once for another 30 days for a cost that would be between $30 to $50. If you'd like to stay longer you must leave Cambodia and come back on a new visa.

An ordinary Visa or E Class can be further subdivided into EB, EG, ER and ES in terms of visa extensions. The e-visa can be applied for thirty days online and costs $35. However, you can extend it indefinitely by taking into consideration the categories which your extension falls under. EB is for business and can be renewed up to 12 months. EG is for those still searching for employment, ER is a retirement visa and ES is for students who can also extend it in terms of 1 to 12 months.

3. Who Needs a Visa to Cambodia?

Whether you are checking into a boutique hotel in Siem Reap for a long-term business trip or a short-term holiday, you will be required by the country to have a visa. This applies to infants and children at the same price. If you are visiting Cambodia from one of the following ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore Philippines, Vietnam or Thailand you can stay from 14 up to 30 days without the requirement of a visa. If you are from Algeria, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and , Pakistan you must apply in advance to the embassy or consulate in your own country.

4. Applying for a Visa

Before you apply for a visa to Cambodia, make sure you have the following information:

a. Cash amount in USD
b. A passport valid for 6 months or more
c. Proof of medical insurance
d. COVID19 negative test within 72 hours

You can apply for a visa either at the airport, depending on which country's passport you are using. The visa on arrival is available at the Sihanoukville, Siem Reap or Phom Penh airports. You can also apply online or at the Cambodian embassy or consulate in your home country. Getting a visa in advance means your process at the airport will be faster and you can quickly head off to your hotel the likes of Anantara Angkor Resort. Once the borders open, you can also apply for a visa at the border crossing.