Updated August 2026. Immigration rules change, so check the official Cambodian government channels before you travel.
Applying for the right visa matters if you plan to travel, live or work in Cambodia. This is our complete guide to Cambodian visas, extensions and work permits.
What has changed recently
Two things are worth knowing before anything else.
Every air arrival now completes a Cambodia e-Arrival Card, a digital declaration covering your passport, flight and accommodation details. You submit it within seven days of travelling and it costs USD 5 per person. This did not exist a few years ago and it catches people out.
Second, work permit enforcement has tightened significantly. Immigration and the labour ministry now share data, and six and twelve month visa extensions are being refused where there is no valid work permit in place. If you intend to work here, read the work permit section below carefully. It is the part that causes real problems.
What types of Cambodian visa are there?
- T-class, the tourist visa
- E-class, the ordinary visa, and the EB, ES, EG and ER extensions of stay that follow it
- A-class, diplomatic
- B-class and C-class, for invited organisations and NGOs
- K-class, for people of Cambodian descent holding a foreign passport
How do I get a Cambodian visa?
Three routes: apply in advance through the official e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.kh, apply at a Cambodian embassy, or get a visa on arrival at the airport.
The e-Visa costs USD 30, is valid for three months from issue, allows a single entry and a stay of one month. Processing takes around three business days.
Which airports issue visas on arrival?
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Eligibility depends on your nationality, so check before you fly.
You will need your passport, a passport photograph, and US dollars in cash. There are ATMs at the airports, but bring a little more than you expect to need.
What does a Cambodian visa cost?
| Visa | Cost |
|---|---|
| T-class tourist, on arrival | USD 30 |
| E-class ordinary, on arrival | USD 35 |
| e-Visa, online in advance | USD 30 |
| e-Arrival Card | USD 5 per person |
Which visa is right for me?
If you are visiting for 30 days or less, the T-class tourist visa. It can be extended once for another 30 days, then you must leave.
If you plan to stay longer, or work, get the E-class ordinary visa for USD 35 on arrival. This is the important one. It is valid for 30 days but can be extended indefinitely, and every long-stay extension, EB, ES, ER and EG, follows from it.
Do not confuse the E-class visa with the online e-Visa. They are different things, and arriving on a tourist visa when you meant to get an E-class is a common and annoying mistake.
What is an EB extension?
The EB business extension covers most expats working in Cambodia, along with their partners and children, and also freelancers and volunteers.
It runs for one, three, six or twelve months. Only the six and twelve month versions allow multiple entry, so if you plan to leave and return, do not buy a shorter one.
You will need a stamped letter from a Cambodian company confirming your employment.
What do visa extensions cost?
| Duration | Approximate cost | Multiple entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | USD 45 | No |
| 3 months | USD 80 | No |
| 6 months | USD 155 | Yes |
| 12 months | USD 285 to 300 | Yes |
Do I need a work permit as well as a visa?
Yes, and this is the single most misunderstood point about working in Cambodia.
An EB extension gives you the right to stay. It does not give you the right to work. Employment requires a separate work permit, sponsored by your employer, costing roughly USD 100 to 300 a year.
Three things to know:
- Work permits expire on 31 December regardless of when they were issued. Renewals usually run from March to April.
- Enforcement has tightened. Immigration and the labour ministry share data, and six and twelve month EB renewals are being refused where no valid work permit exists.
- The penalties are serious. Working without a permit risks substantial fines, deportation and a ban on re-entry, even in an otherwise legitimate job.
Immigration officers may ask to see your business licence, employment contract and work permit at any point.
If you are moving here to work, sort the work permit at the same time as the visa, not afterwards.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. EB holders can use their employment letter to support extensions for a spouse and children as non-working dependants.
You will need each dependant passport details and proof of the relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate.
Note that a dependant extension does not permit employment. If a spouse wants to work, they need their own work permit.
What is an EG extension?
EG is for people looking for work, available in one, three or six month blocks. It is not designed for people who have already been in the country long term on EB extensions, so previous EB history can affect eligibility.
What is an ER extension?
ER is the retirement extension, for people aged 55 and over. You will need to evidence retirement eligibility in your home country, through a pension or social security, and show you can support yourself.
What is an ES extension?
ES is the student extension, available in one, three, six or twelve month blocks. You will need a stamped letter from a registered Cambodian school or institution, and you may be asked to show you can support yourself while studying.
What about the less common visas?
K-class is for people of Cambodian descent holding a foreign passport. It is a free lifetime visa, evidenced by a marriage certificate, birth certificate, family book or Cambodian ID showing a Cambodian parent.
B-class is for employees of organisations invited by the Royal Government, such as the United Nations or World Health Organisation.
C-class is for staff and volunteers of NGOs holding a memorandum of understanding with the government, usually arranged in advance by the organisation itself.
What do I need to apply?
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. We suggest a year
- At least one blank page in it
- A passport photograph
- US dollars in cash
- Your e-Arrival Card, submitted within seven days before you travel
Is anyone not eligible for a visa on arrival?
A small number of nationalities must apply in advance at a Cambodian embassy rather than getting a visa on arrival. The list changes, so check the official Cambodian government channels or ask your nearest embassy before booking. Being on that list does not mean you cannot come, only that you need to arrange the visa beforehand.
Do ASEAN nationals need a visa?
Citizens of Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam can generally enter without a visa for short stays. The permitted length varies by country, so check your own government guidance.
Can I enter Cambodia by land?
Yes. Land borders with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam are open and visas on arrival are available at major crossings. Facilities vary between crossings, so check the specific border you plan to use.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying costs USD 10 per day, payable when you leave or when you next extend. Long overstays can also lead to detention and a re-entry ban, so deal with it early rather than letting it accumulate.
Getting help
Nextstep specialises in recruitment and relocation across Cambodia and Southeast Asia. We help people find the job and make the move, including the visa and work permit paperwork that comes with it.
Browse current opportunities, or get in touch and we will tell you honestly what your situation requires.
