Cambodia (KH)

Affordable Southeast Asian base with easy daily life, a large Phnom Penh and Siem Reap expat scene, strong NGO/tourism/education networks, fast digital payments, and visa rules that are flexible but increasingly document-driven.

Capital: Phnom Penh

Region: Asia

Language: Khmer

Currency: KHR (KHR)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)

Emergency: 119

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Cambodia.

Visa-Free Access

ASEAN nationals and selected diplomatic/service passport holders may have visa-free entry for limited stays. Most other visitors need a visa. Check official Cambodian eVisa/immigration portals before travel.

Use official evisa.gov.kh and arrival.gov.kh. Avoid lookalike visa sites, keep extension deadlines visible, and ensure your landlord/hotel completes FPCS registration where required.

Tourist visa

T-class visa

Official online tourist visa fee commonly USD 30 plus processing charge; visa on arrival commonly USD 30

Duration: 30 days, usually extendable once for 30 days

Eligibility

Short tourism visits; available online or on arrival for many nationalities.

Processing time

Online approval usually within about 3 business days; visa on arrival at entry point

Requirements

✓Passport valid 6+ months
✓Photo or digital application
✓Accommodation/contact details
✓e-Arrival submission

💡 Not suitable for working, freelancing, or long-stay residence planning.

Ordinary visa

E-class visa

Visa on arrival often USD 35; extension cost varies by duration and category

Duration: Initial 30 days, then extension categories in-country

Eligibility

Business, employment, retirement, study, and long-stay entrants who intend to apply for an extension of stay.

Processing time

Initial visa on arrival or online where available; extensions often 3-10 working days through agents or immigration

Requirements

✓Passport
✓Purpose evidence
✓e-Arrival submission
✓Employer or sponsor documents for EB/ES

💡 Enter on the correct E/ordinary visa if you need long-stay extensions. Tourist visas cannot simply become employment status.

EB extension

Business / employment extension

Varies by agent, duration, and official fees

Duration: 1, 3, 6, or 12 months; 6 and 12 months are commonly multiple-entry

Eligibility

Foreigners employed by a Cambodian entity, running a business, or otherwise meeting business-extension documentation.

Processing time

About 1-2 weeks typical

Requirements

✓Ordinary E visa
✓Employment letter or company documents
✓Work permit where required
✓Passport photos/documents

💡 2026 practice is more document-driven than the old casual long-stay era.

ER extension

Retirement extension

Varies by duration and agent

Duration: Commonly 1, 3, 6, or 12 months

Eligibility

Retirees who can show age/retirement and financial support evidence.

Processing time

About 1-2 weeks typical

Requirements

✓Ordinary E visa
✓Retirement/age evidence
✓Proof of funds/pension if requested
✓No employment activity

💡 ER holders should not work locally.

ES extension

Student extension

Varies

Duration: Aligned with course and extension approval

Eligibility

Students enrolled in Cambodian education institutions.

Processing time

Several working days to weeks

Requirements

✓Ordinary E visa
✓School/university letter
✓Passport
✓Accommodation details

💡 Confirm whether the institution has experience supporting foreign students.

EG extension

General / seeking employment extension

Varies

Duration: Usually short and limited; often not repeatedly renewable

Eligibility

Short-term job seekers after entering on an ordinary E visa.

Processing time

Several working days

Requirements

✓Ordinary E visa
✓Passport
✓Purpose explanation

💡 Do not rely on EG for long-term residence.

No dedicated digital nomad visa

Digital Nomad

No official remote-worker visa

Depends on route

Duration: Depends on visa/extension route

Eligibility

Remote workers typically use tourist or ordinary visa routes, but local work, local clients, and company activity may require EB/work permit/business registration.

Processing time

Varies

Requirements

✓Valid visa
✓Tax-residence planning
✓Compliant business/work structure if serving local clients

💡 Cambodia is flexible in practice but increasingly asks for documents; do not confuse informal tolerance with legal work authorisation.

Premium Section

Visa & Immigration

Unlock the complete Visa & Immigration guide for Cambodia — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere