A visa is mandatory to enter Cambodia, regardless of your nationality (except for a few Southeast Asian countries). You have two main options: the official online e-visa, which should be obtained before departure, or the visa on arrival at the airport.
The official e-visa — how to obtain it
The official e-visa is the simplest and most recommended solution for travelers. It is obtained before departure, avoids any queues at immigration, and costs slightly less than the visa on arrival.
It can only be obtained on the official Cambodian government website: evisa.gov.kh. Be wary of the dozens of third-party sites that mimic the official interface and charge two to three times more for the same result.
Features of the e-visa
Application procedure
- Go to evisa.gov.kh
- Create an account with your email address
- Fill out the online form (personal information, travel details)
- Upload a passport-sized photo in JPEG format (white background, face visible)
- Pay the 30 USD by credit card
- Receive your e-visa by email within 3 working days
- Print the e-visa or keep it on your phone
Apply at least one week before your departure to have time to correct any errors without stress. During peak season (December–January), processing times may be slightly longer.
E-visa or visa on arrival: which to choose?
Both options allow for a 30-day stay. Our recommendation: opt for the e-visa if you have a few days before departure. You arrive with everything in order, pass through immigration faster, and pay 5 USD less. The visa on arrival remains a good backup option if you book your trip at the last minute.
Visa on arrival
The visa on arrival is available at the international airports of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, as well as at certain land border crossings. It is a valid option, but less convenient than the e-visa as queues can be long at Phnom Penh airport during peak season.
Price and conditions
Payment is exclusively in cash US dollars. Bring clean bills — crumpled, torn, or too damaged bills are sometimes refused. Some agents at the border may ask for an unofficial "tip": you can politely refuse.
E-Arrival Card — mandatory form since July 2024
Since July 1, 2024, all travelers arriving in Cambodia by air (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville) must fill out an electronic arrival card called Cambodia e-Arrival (CeA). This formality is separate from the visa and is in addition to it.
The form asks for your personal information, a scan of your passport, and a passport-sized photo. It replaces the paper forms that were filled out on board the plane. Land entries (borders with Vietnam or Thailand) are not affected — paper forms are still used there.
Fill out the form at arrival.gov.kh or via the official app (iOS / Android) within 7 days before your arrival. It’s free and takes less than 10 minutes.
Extending your visa in Cambodia
If you wish to stay longer, it is possible to extend your visa without leaving the country. The extension is done through licensed visa agencies, which can be easily found in Phnom Penh (BKK1 district) and Siem Reap.
- One-month extension: about 40–50 USD depending on the agency
- Three-month extension: about 100–130 USD
- The agencies process your application in 2–3 working days
- You will need to leave your passport with the agency during processing
The other option is a "visa run": briefly exit to a neighboring country (Thailand, Vietnam, or Laos) and return with a new visa on arrival. This practice is legal but increasingly regulated — some border posts limit the number of consecutive visa runs.
Necessary documents
- Valid passport at least 6 months after the planned entry date
- Passport with at least one blank page for the entry stamp
- Passport-sized photo (for visa on arrival and e-visa) — white background, passport format
- Return or exit ticket (rarely requested but officially required)
- Proof of sufficient funds (rarely checked in practice)
Official Cambodian e-visa site
The official and only address to use is: evisa.gov.kh — site of the Cambodian Ministry of Interior. Do not go through third-party sites that will charge you 50 to 100 USD more for exactly the same visa.
What happens at the airport
Here’s a step-by-step process upon your arrival at a Cambodian airport — Phnom Penh (PNH) or Siem Reap (SAI). Sihanoukville (KOS) follows the same procedure but with less traffic.
Before the flight — what you should have done
Steps upon arrival
Step 1 — If you have a visa on arrival: Visa on Arrival counter
Before going to immigration, head to the Visa on Arrival counter (clearly marked in the hall). Present your passport, a passport-sized photo, and 35 USD in cash. A visa will be affixed in your passport — expect 15 to 30 minutes depending on the crowd. If you have an e-visa, proceed directly to the next step.
Step 2 — Immigration
Present your passport (with visa) and your e-Arrival QR code to the immigration officer. If you completed the e-Arrival online before the flight, you will access a dedicated faster line. If you did not, tablets are available at the airport to fill it out on-site — expect additional time.
Step 3 — Customs
The customs declaration is now integrated into the e-Arrival Card — you no longer have to fill out a paper form on the plane. If you have nothing to declare (more than 10,000 USD in cash, taxable goods), proceed directly to the baggage claim.
Step 4 — Baggage claim and exit
Collect your luggage, then head to the exit. In Phnom Penh, drivers and agencies await you in the arrival hall. If you have not booked transportation, official taxis and tuk-tuks are available at the exit — avoid touts inside who charge inflated rates.
The new international airport in Siem Reap (SAI, opened in October 2023) is located about 50 km from the city center, which is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour by road. Plan your transfer in advance — taxi or hotel shuttle. The old airport (REP) has been closed since 2023.
Some agents at the border or at the visa counter may slip a form with a dollar bill on top — this is an invitation to pay an unofficial "tip". You can politely ignore it and take back your passport. You are not obligated to pay.
Our practical advice
Get your e-visa before you leave: the 3 working days processing time is not an issue if you plan ahead. You avoid the queue at Phnom Penh immigration (which can exceed an hour during peak season December–January) and you pay 5 USD less than the visa on arrival.
Booking at the last minute? The visa on arrival (35 USD, cash USD only) is available at all Cambodian international airports. Bring clean, unwrinkled bills — damaged bills are sometimes refused.
Don’t forget the e-Arrival Card: since July 2024, it is a mandatory formality separate from the visa, to be filled out for free at arrival.gov.kh within 7 days before your flight. You have your visa but not your e-Arrival? Immigration may block you.
In any case: check the expiration date of your passport well before booking your flight. Renewing a French passport takes several weeks — don’t find yourself stuck two months before departure.
Questions fréquentes
Yes, a visa is mandatory for French nationals. The most convenient solution is the official e-visa for 30 USD, to be requested before departure at evisa.gov.kh (processing time: 3 business days). It is also possible to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport for 35 USD in cash. In both cases, the allowed stay is 30 days.
Both allow for a 30-day stay. The e-visa (30 USD) is obtained online before departure at evisa.gov.kh — you arrive stress-free and pass through immigration faster. The visa on arrival (35 USD) is obtained at the airport but requires cash in dollars and involves an additional queue. We recommend the e-visa unless you are short on time.
Yes. The extension is done through authorized visa agencies for about 40 USD per additional month. You need to submit your passport to the agency for 2–3 days. Another option is the "visa run" — briefly exit to a neighboring country and return with a new visa.
Yes, it is mandatory since July 1, 2024, for all travelers arriving by air. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) replaces the paper forms distributed on planes. It can be filled out for free at arrival.gov.kh within 7 days before arrival. It is not a visa — it is an additional administrative formality.
At least 6 months after your date of entry into Cambodia. If your passport expires in less than 6 months from your planned departure, renew it before booking your tickets.