NOTICE: THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2019

Prices, processes, and rules may have changed. For the latest visa information, check nomadvisa.com/cambodia — our dedicated global visa resource.

UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE AUTHORITIES FOR THE LATEST UPDATES

Digital Nomad / Freelancer Visa (2026 update)

There is no official “digital nomad visa” in Cambodia, but there is a well-established path: arrive on a standard 1-month visa, then extend it in-country to a freelancer visa (1 year, multiple entries, $280-330 via agency). You’ll need proof of employment with a local business — a supplier or freelancer arrangement qualifies. This is the most common route for nomads staying long-term.

For full details and the latest verified info: nomadvisa.com/cambodia

Arriving in a country you never set foot in before can be a little bit tricky. What’s the local culture and habits? What to visit? Where to eat? But before those questions even cross your mind, you face the first challenge as soon as you enter Cambodia.

What type of visa should you take and how to avoid to get scammed?

TLDR;

1. There is free Wi-Fi at the airport (and pretty much everywhere in town);
2. USD is the currency for a visa (and you can use everywhere in Cambodia);
3. There are two ATM machines before the visa on arrival counter;
4. You forgot the photos or it’s cheaper, the fine is 2 USD
5. Ride-hailing apps cannot pick you up inside Siem Reap’s airport — walk outside the terminal to use them;
6. Ride-hailing apps in Cambodia: PassApp (most popular, cash and card), Grab (available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, accepts credit cards, works across Asia), and Tada (zero-commission model, growing fast). Download all three before you arrive;
7. The official transport counter at the airport has flat rates and no scams;
8. Take a normal “Business” visa on arrival, it’s $5 more and gives you renewal flexibility for medium to long term stays, less than 2 months, take a tourist visa.
9. Digital Nomads looking for options may want a Job Seeker Visa ($160, multiple entries)
10. Planning for 6-12 months as a digital nomad or freelancer need an employment or supplier letter.
11. Doing business? Create a business in Cambodia, it is not so hard, taxes are low, it feels good and you can have a work permit and visa with peace of mind;

You plan to stay in Cambodia for …

1. Less than two months and don’t plan to exit the country during that time period.
2. Less than two months and you plan to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.
3. Two to four months and don’t plan to exit the country during that time period.
4. Two to four months and you plan to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.
5. For five months and you plan to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.
6. For five months to one year and you want to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.
7. More than one year and you want to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.

Your visa is going to depend on how long you’re going to stay in Cambodia and on what things you plan on doing.

We thus gathered (nearly) every scenario possible to help you in your visa quest and try to reduce its cost

Scenario 1A:

You plan to come to Cambodia for less than two months and don’t plan to exit the country during that time period.

Then, the cheapest option for you is to get the Tourist Visa on arrival (one month, $30) and to extend it if you require an extra month ($45-50).

Scenario 1B:

You plan to come to Cambodia for less than two months and you plan to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.

One or two getaways during your one month stay: get a Tourist visa on arrival (one month, $30), exit for your getaways then re-enter each time on a new tourist visa on arrival ($30). Total: $90

One getaway after exactly one month of your two months stays: get a Tourist visa on arrival (one month, $30), exit for your getaway before it expires, then re-enter on a tourist visa on arrival ($30). Total: $60

One getaway during the first month or during the second month: get a Tourist visa on arrival (one month, $30), exit for your getaway, get another tourist visa on arrival and then renew it ($45-50) or get a visa on arrival, renew it ($45-50), exit for your getaway then get another tourist visa on arrival ($30). Total: $110

Wanna feel like you can escape and come back whenever you want during your stay? Get a one-month business visa ($35) on arrival then renew it for 6 months ($155-160).

Total: $190-195

Scenario 2A:

You plan to come to Cambodia for two to four months and don’t plan to exit the country during that time period.

Then, the cheapest option for you is to get the Business Visa (a.k.a. “Regular” or “Ordinary” Visa) on arrival (one month, $35) and to extend it for three months ($75-80).

Total: $110-115

Note: You need a work permit to extend a normal visa for 3-6 months.

Scenario 2B:

You plan to come to Cambodia for two to four months and you plan to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.

Wanna feel like you can escape and come back whenever you want during your stay? Get a one-month business visa ($35) on arrival then renew it for 6 months ($155-160).

Total: $190-195

Note: You need a work permit to extend a normal visa for 3-6 months.

Scenario 3:

You plan to come to Cambodia for five months and you plan to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.

You want to take one get away. Get a one month tourist visa ($30) on arrival, exit for your getaway, re-enter and get a business visa ($35) then extend it for three months ($75-80) or get a business visa ($35), extend for three months ($75-80), exit for your getaway, then re-enter on a tourist visa ($30).

Total: $140-145

Note: You need a work permit to extend a normal visa for 3-6 months.

You want to take two getaways. Get a tourist visa ($30), extend it one month ($45-50), exit for a getaway, re-enter on a tourist visa, extend it one month ($45-50), exit for a getaway, re-enter on a tourist visa ($30).

Total: $180-190. For $5, we suggest a business visa ($35) and a six months extension ($155-160).

Note: You need a work permit to extend a normal visa for 3-6 months.

RECOMMENDATION: Arrive on a normal visa, extend as a job seeker visa, 6 months, multiple entries ~US $160. You just need a letter saying you are looking for work and will leave after if you don’t find any.

You want to take more than two getaways: you should definitely opt for the one-month Business Visa on arrival (one month, $35) and extend it for six months ($155-160). You can exit and re-enter the country as many times as you want!

Total: $190-195

Note: You need a work permit to extend a normal visa for 3-6 months.

RECOMMENDATION: Arrive on a normal visa, extend as a job seeker visa, 6 months, multiple entries ~US $160. You just need a letter saying you are looking for work and will leave after if you don’t find any. This is perfect if you are a digital nomad as you can answer to test run from local businesses.

Scenario 4:

You plan to stay in Cambodia for five months to one year and you want to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.

Then, you should definitely opt for the one-month Business Visa on arrival (one month, $35) and extend it for six months ($155-160). You can exit and re-enter the country as many times as you want!

Total: $190-195

UPDATE 2018 for 6-12 months visa. You need an employment letter.

Find a company ready to sponsor you either an employee or freelancer. Only a letter is required when at the tour agency to request it.

Scenario 5:

You plan to stay in Cambodia for more than one year and you want to take out-of-country getaways during your stay.

Then, you should definitely opt for the Business Visa on arrival (one month, $35) and extend it for one year ($285-290). You can exit and re-enter the country as many times as you want!

Total: $320-325 (You need an employment letter)

Find a company ready to sponsor you either an employee or freelancer. Only a letter is required when at the tour agency to request it.

Visa Requirements (Tourist & Business):

• 1 passport-sized photo (2” x 2”) or a $2 fee, don’t worry, that’s what they prefer;
• Passport with validity of at least six months from the expiry date;
• Fees ($30 for tourist and $35 for ordinary “business” visa);
• Visa Application Form (available at immigration office);

N.B 1: To legally work in Cambodia, you should also obtain a work permit ($100/year). We recommend considering it when working in Cambodia for an extended period of time of at least a year unless you are under the job seeker Visa for the first 6 months. You would need to be hired or do a visa run.

NB 2: Nationals of Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar and Singapore do not need a tourist visa and may stay in Cambodia for 14 to 30 days (depending on your country).

NB 3: Overstaying a visa currently costs $10 per day. Don’t wait the last minute to renew it, it’s also a dream moment for customs agents and it is … cash-only as you might have guessed.

We hope that you found what you were looking for in those scenarios!

FAQ

”Because of the possible scams with visas on arrival. Should I just do the e-visa?”

Note that the e-visa only applies to a tourist visa and is also only valid for 30 days within the three months after the date of issue.

We strongly suggest not to get the e-visa. It will automatically set you back $37 and there are still scams happening with the e-visas (mostly at the land crossings). Some immigration officers may state different reasons for refusing your e-visa, claiming that it should be printed (if you don’t have a printed copy), that there is something wrong with the application, that it is not accepted at this border or that it is simply not valid. Leaving you no choice but to purchase a visa-on-arrival.

Most likely you won’t have any problems having your e-visa accepted at the Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airports, but you are also less likely to be scammed there (meaning that there is no point of paying $37 when you will most likely pay $30 only on arrival).

What should I do if I’m asked any extra “service” or “administrative” fee by the immigration officer?”

Ignore the request, remain polite, smile and hand over the correct amount in dollars. If the officer is persistent, politely ask if he could explain what this fee includes (don’t forget your best smile). This will surely make him drop the topic.

Common visa on arrival scam include :

• Charging you a huge “conversion fee” at the Immigration desk, to convert your currency into USD: so bring USD.
• Being asked for a “tip” by the Immigration staffer, or a “red packet” money during festive seasons i.e. Chinese New Year. Remain polite, smile and hand over the correct amount in dollars.

”Should I just get my visa in advance at the embassy in my home country or at the embassy of a neighboring instead of on arrival?”

If you are a national of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, or Sudan, then you absolutely need to do it at your home embassy as the visa on arrival option isn’t unfortunately available for you. Otherwise, there is little benefit of getting a visa in advance as only the same 30-days tourist or business visa is offered outside of Cambodia. You would most likely be paying extra administrative fees when processing at embassies, travel agencies and visa application centers.

Getting around in Cambodia

Ride-hailing apps

Cambodia has several ride-hailing options. Download these before you arrive:

• PassApp — The most popular app in Cambodia. Available nationwide. Supports tuk-tuks, cars, and delivery. Cash and card payments.
• Grab — Available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Accepts credit cards and works across Southeast Asia with the same account.
• Tada — A zero-commission ride-hailing platform growing fast in Cambodia. Often cheaper fares as drivers keep more of the fare.

Tips:

• Ride-hailing apps cannot pick you up inside airport terminals — walk outside to request a ride.
• Tuk-tuks from the airport to Siem Reap center: $5-7 at the prepaid booth.
• For temple tours, negotiate a full-day rate with a tuk-tuk driver ($15-20/day) rather than using ride-hailing apps.
• For intercity travel, check Camboticket for buses, taxis, and ferries.

Getting in by bus

• Know that you will most likely change buses at the Thai/Cambodia border. This is less common with buses from Vietnam. Stick with reputable companies.
• Most buses terminate just east of town and a tuk-tuk ride in town should be $2-3. Some companies terminate near the old market in the center of town. Remember to ask about the drop-off point when you book.
• Cheap bus companies may drop you off way further out of town forcing you to take a very long tuk-tuk ride into town. Stick with reputable bus companies.

Health

Remember to consult at a travel health clinic to get all your vaccines in and necessary meds prescribed.

Also, don’t forget to get travel insurance covering you while abroad — especially important for remote workers and digital nomads.

More Cambodia guides

Planning your move or visit? Check out our other guides:

• Mobile Phone Survival Guide — SIM cards, data plans, and staying connected
• Practical Info for Cambodia — Money, transport, safety, and daily life tips
• All Cambodia Guides — Our complete knowledge hub

Join 5,000+ digital nomads and entrepreneurs in Cambodia — DN Cambodia Community

Usual immunization required

Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Yellow Fever

Recommended medications (prescribed by a doctor):

Antimalarials and traveler’s diarrhea antibiotic

Recommended medications (over the counter):

Diarrhea medicine, antihistamine, motion sickness medicine, medicine for pain and fever, oral rehydration salts (can also be found in pharmacies in Cambodia), insect repellent.