If you’re holding a passport from Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar, Maldives, or Seychelles, you can walk into Cambodia without applying for a visa at all — for stays of up to 30 days in most cases. Thailand is also visa-exempt, though a temporary rule currently limits Thai nationals to just 7 days. Everyone else needs an e-Visa or visa on arrival. But “visa-free” doesn’t mean paperwork-free — since January 2025, every arriving traveler, exempt or not, has to submit Cambodia’s e-Arrival Card first.
Here’s the full list, straight from Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the official eVisa portal. [SOURCE: evisa.gov.kh]
| Country | Max Stay Without a Visa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 30 days | — |
| Philippines | 30 days | — |
| Singapore | 30 days | — |
| Indonesia | 30 days | — |
| Vietnam | 30 days | — |
| Laos | 30 days | — |
| Brunei | 30 days | — |
| Myanmar | 30 days | — |
| Maldives | 30 days | — |
| Seychelles | 30 days | — |
| Thailand | 7 days (temporary) | Reduced from the standard allowance amid the 2025 Cambodian–Thai border dispute — confirm current status before booking |
| China / Hong Kong SAR / Macao SAR | Visa-free trial | Temporary measure, valid only through October 15, 2026 — this is not a permanent exemption |
Every other nationality — including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and India — needs an e-Visa or a visa on arrival. More on that below.
Why Thailand's Visa-Free Days Were Cut
Thailand has historically been on Cambodia’s visa-exempt list like its other ASEAN neighbors. That changed in 2025: as tensions escalated during the Cambodian–Thai border crisis, Cambodia responded by limiting Thai nationals to a 7-day stay instead of the longer allowance other ASEAN countries get. [SOURCE: cite Khmer Times or comparable reporting on the 2025 border dispute]. This is described as a temporary response to a specific diplomatic situation, not a permanent policy change, so if you’re a Thai citizen planning a longer Cambodia trip, check the current status close to your travel date rather than assuming the old 30-day rule still applies.
The Temporary China, Hong Kong & Macao Exemption — What to Know
In late 2025, Cambodia introduced a trial visa-free arrangement for mainland Chinese, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR passport holders. The key detail most articles leave out: this is explicitly a temporary measure, currently set to run only until October 15, 2026. If you’re traveling on one of these passports after that date, don’t assume the exemption still applies — check evisa.gov.kh directly before you book flights, since Cambodia could either extend it, let it lapse, or replace it with something else.
What "Visa-Free" Actually Means in Cambodia
This is the part almost every other article on this topic skips entirely, and it’s the one most likely to actually catch you out at the airport: being visa-exempt does not mean you can skip Cambodia’s entry paperwork.
Since January 2025, every traveler arriving in Cambodia — visa-exempt or not — is required to submit a Cambodia e-Arrival Card within seven days before arrival. [SOURCE : arrival.gov.kh] It’s a short online form, and it’s free through the official government portal.
On my most recent trip, even though I didn’t need a visa, the immigration officer at Phnom Penh International Airport specifically asked to see my e-Arrival Card QR code before stamping me through — it wasn’t optional or a formality, and travelers ahead of me who hadn’t done it were pulled aside to fill it out on the spot.
What If Your Country Isn't on the Visa-Free List?
If you’re not from one of the countries above, you have two options, and for the vast majority of travelers reading this, that’s actually the more relevant part of the guide.
e-Visa (Recommended for Most Travelers)
- Cost: $30 USD
- Applied for entirely online at evisa.gov.kh before you travel
- Single entry, valid for a stay of up to 30 days
- Processing typically takes a few business days — apply at least several days ahead, not the night before
One detail competitors consistently miss: the e-Visa currently isn’t accepted at every land border. The Cham Yeam and Poipet crossings from Thailand are temporarily closed to e-Visa holders — if you’re planning an overland entry from Thailand, you’ll need to check current port status or plan on a visa on arrival instead.
Visa on Arrival
- Cost: $30 USD for tourist visas, $35 USD for business visas, plus a small service fee
- Available at all international airports and most land borders
- Bring cash in USD and a passport-sized photo
- Valid for up to 30 days, extendable
What Cambodia Entry Actually Costs
| Entry Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa-exempt entry (10 ASEAN countries + Maldives + Seychelles) | $0 |
| e-Arrival Card (everyone, regardless of visa status) | $0 via the official portal |
| e-Visa | $30 |
| Visa on arrival (tourist) | $30 + small service fee |
| Visa on arrival (business) | $35 + small service fee |
I paid nothing for my e-Arrival Card by going directly through arrival.gov.kh. A quick search will surface unofficial third-party sites charging $15–20 to “process” the same free form — worth bookmarking the real government URL before you go so you’re not caught by one of these.
Best Time to Visit Cambodia
Cambodia’s dry season runs roughly November through March and is the busiest stretch for tourism — Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and the coast all see their heaviest crowds then, which also means longer visa-on-arrival queues at major airports and land crossings. The wet season (June–October) is quieter and cheaper, with shorter waits at immigration, though some rural roads and river crossings can be affected by rain. If you’re planning to arrive via visa on arrival rather than a pre-approved e-Visa, arriving during shoulder months (April–May or October) can mean a noticeably faster immigration process than during peak dry season. See our full guide to choosing the right region for your trip.
Pros & Cons: Visa-Exempt Entry vs. e-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival
| Entry Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-exempt | No cost, no application, fastest possible entry | Only available to 12 nationalities; some durations are temporary and could change |
| e-Visa | Apply from home, avoid on-arrival queues, fixed $30 cost | Requires planning ahead; not accepted at every land border currently |
| Visa on arrival | No pre-planning required, available almost everywhere | Cash only, potential queues in peak season, slightly higher cost for business visas |
Common Mistakes Travelers Make With Cambodia Entry Rules
- Assuming visa-free means paperwork-free. The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for every traveler, visa-exempt or not.
- Not checking Thailand’s temporary 7-day limit before a land crossing. Thai nationals planning a longer trip based on the old 30-day rule can be caught off guard.
- Trying to use an e-Visa at a currently-closed land port. Cham Yeam and Poipet aren’t accepting e-Visa entries right now — a visa on arrival or a different crossing point is needed instead.
- Paying a third-party site for the free e-Arrival Card. Worth naming a specific near-miss here — e.g., “A friend I was traveling with almost paid a copycat site $18 for this before I caught it and pointed her to the real government portal.
- Not having six months of passport validity or a blank page. This applies regardless of visa status and is one of the most common reasons for denied boarding.
- Assuming a same-day day trip is allowed at land borders. It generally isn’t — same-day arrival and departure is only permitted through Phnom Penh International Airport.
Pro Travel Tips for Entering Cambodia
- Apply for your e-Visa a few days ahead rather than the day before you fly — processing can take longer than expected during busy periods.
- Screenshot your e-Arrival Card QR code before you arrive, in case airport wifi is unreliable when you land.
- Carry small USD bills if you’re getting a visa on arrival — change can be limited at busy checkpoints.
- Double-check the current status of Thailand’s stay limit and the China/HK/Macao trial exemption close to your travel date — both are temporary and subject to change without much notice.
Who Should Choose What
If you’re from one of the 12 visa-exempt countries — Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar, Maldives, Seychelles, or (with the current temporary 7-day limit) Thailand — just bring your passport and complete the free e-Arrival Card. No visa application needed.
If you’re traveling on a China, Hong Kong, or Macao passport before October 15, 2026, confirm the trial exemption is still active before you book, since it’s explicitly temporary.
If you’re from anywhere else — including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and India — apply for the e-Visa a few days before your trip rather than relying on a visa on arrival, unless you’re crossing at a land border where the e-Visa currently isn’t accepted.
