Siem Reap Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Siem Reap, Cambodia's gateway to the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, welcomes international travelers through Siem Reap International Airport (REP). Most visitors can obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an e-Visa online before their trip, making entry relatively straightforward. Cambodia's visa policy is designed to facilitate tourism while maintaining security standards, with the majority of nationalities eligible for tourist visas valid for 30 days. The immigration process at Siem Reap International Airport is generally efficient, though wait times can vary depending on flight arrivals. Travelers should ensure their passport has at least six months validity from the date of entry and contains blank pages for visa stamps. Cambodia accepts both visa on arrival and e-Visa options, with the e-Visa often recommended for a smoother, faster entry experience as it reduces processing time at the airport. Before traveling to Siem Reap, visitors should prepare the necessary documentation, including proof of onward travel, accommodation details, and sufficient funds for their stay. While Cambodia is welcoming to tourists, being prepared with all required documents and understanding customs regulations will ensure a hassle-free entry. It's also advisable to have passport-sized photos and USD cash available for visa fees and other expenses upon arrival.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Cambodia operates a visa-required policy for most nationalities, but offers convenient visa on arrival and e-Visa options for tourists. Only a handful of countries enjoy visa-free access to Cambodia.

Visa-Free Entry

14-30 days depending on nationality

Very limited visa-free access to Cambodia

Includes

Brunei (14 days) Indonesia (30 days) Laos (30 days) Malaysia (30 days) Myanmar (14 days) Philippines (30 days) Singapore (30 days) Thailand (14 days) Vietnam (30 days) Seychelles (14 days)

Visa-free entry is primarily limited to ASEAN member states and a few other countries. All other nationalities require a visa. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date.

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

30 days (single entry)

Online visa application available for most nationalities visiting for tourism purposes

Includes

United States United Kingdom Canada Australia New Zealand All EU member states Japan South Korea China India Russia Brazil Argentina South Africa Most other countries (100+ nationalities eligible)

How to Apply: Apply online at www.evisa.gov.kh at least 3 business days before travel. Processing typically takes 3 business days. Upload a recent passport photo and passport bio page. Print the e-Visa approval letter to present upon arrival.
Cost: USD $36 (includes $30 visa fee + $6 processing fee)

E-Visa is valid for tourism only and allows entry through Siem Reap International Airport, Phnom Penh International Airport, and certain land border checkpoints. Cannot be extended beyond 30 days. Recommended over visa on arrival for faster processing.

Visa on Arrival

30 days (single entry for tourism)

Available at Siem Reap International Airport and other ports of entry for most nationalities

How to Apply: Complete arrival card on the flight or at the airport. Present passport (valid 6+ months), one passport photo, and visa fee in USD cash at the visa counter before immigration. If no photo is available, an additional fee may be charged.

Tourist visa (T class) costs USD $30. Business visa (E class) costs USD $35 and can be extended. Bring exact change in USD. Some travelers report unofficial 'processing fees' - politely decline and pay only the official fee. Processing time is usually 15-30 minutes depending on queue.

Visa Required (Embassy/Consulate)

Varies by visa type

Some nationalities must obtain visa from Cambodian embassy before travel

How to Apply: Contact nearest Cambodian embassy or consulate. This applies to a small number of countries not eligible for e-Visa or visa on arrival. Check with Cambodian diplomatic missions for specific requirements.

Very few nationalities fall into this category. Most travelers can use e-Visa or visa on arrival options.

Arrival Process

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, travelers will go through visa processing (if applicable), immigration control, baggage claim, and customs clearance. The process is straightforward but can take 30 minutes to over an hour during peak times when multiple international flights arrive simultaneously.

Visa Processing (if applicable)

If you don't have an e-Visa or visa-free entry, proceed to the Visa on Arrival counter before immigration. Submit your passport, photo, completed arrival form, and USD $30 cash. Wait for your passport to be called, then collect it with the visa stamp.

Immigration Control

Proceed to immigration counters with your passport and completed arrival/departure card. E-Visa holders should have their approval letter ready. The officer will verify your documents, may ask brief questions about your stay, stamp your passport, and return the departure card (keep this for exit).

Baggage Claim

Collect your checked luggage from the designated carousel. Siem Reap airport is relatively small, making this process quick. Carts are available for a small fee.

Customs Declaration

If you have items to declare or are carrying more than USD $10,000, use the red channel and complete a customs declaration form. Most tourists proceed through the green channel (nothing to declare).

Exit to Arrivals Hall

After customs, exit to the arrivals hall where you'll find currency exchange, SIM card vendors, taxi services, and hotel representatives. Your hotel may offer free pickup if arranged in advance.

Documents to Have Ready

Valid Passport

Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay with at least 2 blank pages for stamps

Visa or e-Visa Approval

E-Visa approval letter (printed), visa on arrival receipt, or visa-free entry eligibility. Keep printed copies as backup.

Arrival/Departure Card

Completed immigration card (distributed on flight or available at airport). Keep the departure portion stapled in your passport.

Proof of Onward Travel

Return flight ticket or proof of onward journey (may be requested but rarely checked for tourists)

Accommodation Details

Hotel reservation or address where you'll be staying in Cambodia (required on arrival card)

Passport Photo

One recent passport-sized photo if applying for visa on arrival (not needed for e-Visa holders)

Tips for Smooth Entry

Apply for e-Visa before travel to avoid queues at the visa on arrival counter and ensure faster processing

Bring USD cash in small denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20) for visa fees, tips, and initial expenses - USD is widely accepted in Cambodia

Have 1-2 passport photos ready even if applying for e-Visa, as backups are useful for other purposes during your stay

Keep your departure card safe in your passport - you'll need it when leaving Cambodia

Download and save offline copies of your e-Visa approval, hotel bookings, and flight confirmations in case of internet issues

Be polite but firm if asked for unofficial fees - the official visa on arrival fee is $30 for tourists, nothing more

Exchange only small amounts at the airport (rates are poor) - ATMs in the city offer better rates

Arrange airport transfer with your hotel in advance for a smoother arrival, especially if arriving late at night

Customs & Duty-Free

Cambodia's customs regulations are relatively straightforward for tourists. Most personal items and reasonable quantities of duty-free goods are permitted. Customs officers may inspect luggage, and all travelers must declare prohibited items, large amounts of currency, and valuable goods.

Alcohol

350ml of spirits or wine

Must be 18 years or older. Amounts exceeding this limit may be subject to duty.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco

Must be 18 years or older. Excess quantities subject to customs duty.

Currency

Amounts over USD $10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared

No limit on amount you can bring, but amounts exceeding $10,000 must be declared on arrival and departure using a customs declaration form. Undeclared amounts may be confiscated.

Gifts/Goods

Personal effects and reasonable quantities of new goods for personal use

Perfume in reasonable quantities for personal use is permitted. Commercial quantities of any goods require proper import documentation and duties.

Prohibited Items

Narcotics and illegal drugs - Cambodia has extremely strict drug laws with severe penalties including lengthy imprisonment
Weapons and explosives - including firearms, ammunition, and fireworks without proper authorization
Pornographic materials - strictly prohibited
Counterfeit currency and goods - including fake designer items
Items depicting or containing images of the Cambodian flag used inappropriately
Antiquities and cultural artifacts - removing Khmer artifacts from Cambodia is illegal and carries severe penalties
Endangered species and wildlife products - including ivory, certain animal skins, and protected plant species

Restricted Items

Prescription medications - bring original packaging, prescription letter from doctor, and only quantities for personal use during your stay
Drones and radio equipment - may require permits from Cambodian authorities; check before bringing
Religious materials in large quantities - personal religious items are fine, but commercial quantities may require permission
Professional camera and video equipment - may be questioned; bring proof of ownership and state tourism purpose

Health Requirements

Cambodia does not currently require proof of vaccination for most travelers, with the exception of yellow fever for those arriving from endemic countries. However, several vaccinations are recommended for health protection during your visit.

Required Vaccinations

Yellow Fever - Required only if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of vaccination must be presented if traveling from endemic areas in Africa or South America.

Recommended Vaccinations

Hepatitis A - Recommended for all travelers due to food and water contamination risks
Typhoid - Recommended, especially if visiting rural areas or eating street food
Hepatitis B - Recommended for travelers who may have contact with blood or bodily fluids
Japanese Encephalitis - Recommended for travelers spending extended time in rural areas, especially during rainy season
Rabies - Consider if planning extended outdoor activities or working with animals
Routine vaccinations - Ensure MMR, DTP, and influenza vaccinations are up to date
Malaria prophylaxis - Consider antimalarial medication if visiting rural areas; Siem Reap town has low risk but surrounding areas may have higher risk

Health Insurance

Travel health insurance is strongly recommended but not mandatory for entry. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation, as serious medical cases may require transfer to Bangkok or Singapore. Medical facilities in Siem Reap are limited compared to Western standards. Bring sufficient supplies of any prescription medications in original packaging with doctor's letter.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 requirements have been largely removed as of 2024, but policies can change. Check the latest health requirements on the Cambodian Ministry of Health website or with your airline before travel. No COVID-19 vaccination or testing is currently required for entry, but this should be verified before departure as pandemic-related policies may be reinstated.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate

Contact your country's embassy in Phnom Penh for consular assistance

Most embassies are located in Phnom Penh, not Siem Reap. Register with your embassy's travel registration program before your trip. Check your government's travel advisory website for Cambodia before departure.

Immigration Authority

Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - www.evisa.gov.kh for e-Visa

For visa applications, extensions, and official immigration information. General Department of Immigration: +855 23 890 532

Emergency Services

Police: 117 | Fire: 118 | Ambulance: 119

English may be limited. Tourist Police in Siem Reap: +855 12 942 484. For medical emergencies, contact your hotel or a private clinic directly as ambulance services are limited.

Tourist Information

Siem Reap Tourist Information Center near Pub Street

Open daily, provides maps, guidance, and assistance with tourist-related issues

Medical Facilities

Royal Angkor International Hospital: +855 63 761 888 | Angkor Hospital for Children: +855 63 963 409

For serious medical issues, medical evacuation to Bangkok may be necessary

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Children must have their own passport (valid 6+ months) and appropriate visa. If traveling with only one parent or without parents, carry a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent(s) authorizing the child to travel. This may be requested at immigration. Birth certificates showing parental relationship are recommended. Minors receive the same visa as adults at the same cost.

Traveling with Pets

Pets require an import permit from Cambodia's Department of Animal Health and Production. Need: valid rabies vaccination certificate (at least 30 days but not more than 12 months old), health certificate from licensed veterinarian issued within 7 days of travel, microchip identification recommended. Contact the Cambodian embassy for current pet import requirements. Note that facilities for pets in Siem Reap are limited.

Extended Stays

Tourist visas (T class) are valid for 30 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days at the Immigration Department in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap for approximately $45-50. For stays beyond 60 days, consider applying for a business visa (E class) on arrival ($35), which can be extended for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months. Business visas require sponsorship for extensions beyond 1 month. Long-term stays require proper visa category and registration with local authorities.

Business Travel

Business visitors should obtain an E-class (Ordinary) visa rather than T-class (Tourist) visa. Cost is $35 on arrival or via e-Visa. Business visas can be extended for longer periods and converted to work permits. Bring business introduction letter, meeting confirmations, and invitation letters from Cambodian business partners if applicable.

Dual Nationals

If you hold Cambodian citizenship plus another nationality, you must enter and exit Cambodia using your Cambodian passport. Contact the Cambodian embassy for guidance on dual nationality travel requirements.

Lost/Stolen Passport

Immediately report to local police and obtain a police report. Contact your embassy/consulate in Phnom Penh for emergency travel document. Visit Immigration Department with police report to resolve visa status. This process can take several days, so allow extra time before scheduled departure.