Cambodia Volunteer Visa Requirements
Cambodia has historically been one of the most flexible Southeast Asian countries for visas. Most volunteer trips work fine on a tourist or business visa with extensions. Always verify with the official source before booking.
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The short answer by trip length
- Under 30 days: e-Visa (apply online) or visa-on-arrival at PNH/REP airports.
- 1-3 months: Business visa (Type E) — easily extendable in-country.
- 3-12 months: Business visa extended to 6 or 12 months via a Cambodian visa agent.
Verify before booking
Always check the official Cambodia e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.kh) and the embassy of Cambodia in your country. Independent visa-advice sites can be out of date. This page is editorial guidance, not immigration advice.
Cambodia e-Visa (tourist)
Available online for most nationalities, single-entry, 30 days. Cost roughly USD 30 plus a small processing fee. Processing typically 3 business days. Print your e-Visa to show on arrival. Some land borders don't accept e-Visa — check before crossing.
Visa-on-arrival
Available at major international airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville) and most land borders. Tourist visa (Type T) USD 30; business visa (Type E) USD 35. Bring exact USD cash and one passport photo. Avoid getting an e-Visa AND landing on a visa-on-arrival day — pick one.
For longer placements: Business visa (Type E)
If you'll stay over a month, the business visa is the right choice — same cost as tourist at the border but extendable to 1, 3, 6 or 12 months in-country via a visa agent. Most long-term volunteers use this path. Standard practice and not legally problematic for unpaid volunteer work.
Common mistakes
- Getting a tourist visa for a 3-month placement, then needing to leave for a "border bounce" — use the business visa from the start.
- Using an unofficial e-Visa site that charges extra fees (the official site is evisa.gov.kh).
- Overstaying — USD 10/day fine, accumulates fast, can result in re-entry ban.
- Forgetting one passport photo for visa-on-arrival (technically required; sometimes waived for USD 1-2).
Documents to have ready
- Passport valid 6+ months from entry with at least one blank page.
- Onward / return ticket (often checked at airline check-in).
- One passport photo (for visa-on-arrival).
- USD cash for visa-on-arrival fees.
Useful official sources
Verify via the Cambodia e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.kh) and the Royal Embassy of Cambodia for your country. The General Department of Immigration manages extensions in-country.
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Written by
Volunteer World Guide editorial team
Ethical-volunteering research desk
This Cambodia visa requirements page is editorial guidance. Always verify visa, safety and pricing details with the official source before booking.
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