Cambodia Visa Rules 2026
Last checked: 6 April 2026
Planning a trip to Cambodia with a full British citizen passport? This guide explains the current tourist entry rules for UK travellers, including whether you need a visa, how long you can stay, passport validity rules, what Cambodian border officers may ask to see, electronic systems now in use, costs, and the official government links to check before travel.
This article is restricted to tourist entry for UK citizens. It does not cover work, study, residence permits, journalism, volunteering, or long-stay immigration routes except where needed to explain what does not apply to a normal holiday.
Cambodia uses the Cambodian riel (KHR) and is not part of the Schengen area.
Important travel note: Cambodia is a real tourist destination, but it is not a zero-risk one. The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel within 20km of the land border with Thailand, so route planning matters as much as visa planning if you are considering border-area destinations.
Index
- 1. Travel note and insurance
- 2. Quick answer
- 3. Passport and stay rules
- 4. What Cambodian border control may ask for
- 5. Electronic systems in use, or coming soon
- 6. Costs for UK tourist entry
- 7. Official UK and Cambodian government links
- 8. Frequently asked questions
1. Travel note and insurance
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not advise against travel to all of Cambodia, but it does advise against all but essential travel to part of the country.
- Within 20km of the land border with Thailand: FCDO advises against all but essential travel.
- Border situation: heavy fighting took place along parts of the Thailand-Cambodia border in 2025, a ceasefire was signed on 27 December 2025, but the situation remains tense.
- Border crossings: land borders and crossings between Cambodia and Thailand continue to be suspended.
- Closed tourist sites: some tourist destinations in border areas, such as Preah Vihear/Khao Phra Wihan temple, Ta Krabey/Ta Kwai temple, and Tamone Thom/Ta Muen Thom temple, are closed.
- Insurance warning: your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.
The current UK travel advice also says Cambodia remains heavily affected by landmines and unexploded weapons, especially in rural and border areas, and travellers should not stray off main routes.
So while Cambodia is straightforward enough from a tourist-entry perspective, you should still check the latest FCDO map, local border conditions, and transit-country advice shortly before travelling.
2. Quick answer
Yes, a visa is required for a UK citizen visiting Cambodia for tourism.
For most British tourists, the key points are:
- You must have a visa to enter Cambodia as a visitor.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive.
- Tourist visas are valid for 30 days from the date of entry into Cambodia.
- You can apply for an official eVisa at least 4 days in advance, or get a visa on arrival at airports or land border crossings if you do not use the eVisa route.
- If you arrive by air at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville international airports, you must complete the official e-Arrival Card within 7 days before arrival.
- Cambodia also uses the FPCS accommodation registration system inside the country.
- I did not identify a separate Cambodia tourist ETA in the official sources reviewed.
In simple terms, an ordinary UK tourist needs a Cambodia visa, and the most important extra step for many travellers is the mandatory e-Arrival Card for air entry.
3. Passport and stay rules
If you are travelling to Cambodia as a tourist on a full British citizen passport, your passport should meet these conditions:
- It must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Cambodia.
- It must be undamaged and complete.
- Entry is normally refused if you have a damaged passport or pages missing.
- If you renew or extend your visa from within Cambodia, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the start date of that renewal or extension.
UK citizens need a visa to visit Cambodia for tourism, and tourist visas are valid for 30 days from the date of entry.
Make sure your passport is stamped on arrival and keep the departure form. If you lose the departure form, you will need to contact immigration officials before leaving Cambodia to make alternative arrangements.
You can also get an extension of a tourist visa while you are in Cambodia.
If you overstay your visa, the current UK guidance says you can be fined, detained and deported. It also says there is no limit to the fine, and if you overstay by more than 30 days, you will need to leave Cambodia and pay the fine.
If you are staying in Cambodia in a hotel, guesthouse, rented accommodation, or private home, make sure the accommodation registration is handled properly through the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS). If you are staying with friends or family or in your own home, you may need to register yourself.
4. What Cambodian border control may ask for
For a normal UK tourist trip, the key official requirements focus on a valid passport, a valid visa, and the required digital entry forms where they apply.
- A valid passport
- A valid Cambodian visa, such as an approved eVisa or visa on arrival
- A passport photo if you are using the visa-on-arrival route
- Payment in US dollars if you are using visa on arrival
- Your e-Arrival Card submission if you are entering by air at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville
- Your passport entry stamp once you have passed immigration
The current FCDO safety guidance also says that at land borders, especially remote crossing points, local conditions can be basic and local officials or tour operators can ask for unofficial fees or inflate visa prices. It is sensible to know the correct visa rules and official charges before you set off.
In practice, it is sensible to keep your passport, visa printout, e-Arrival confirmation, hotel details, onward or return travel plans, and access to funds easy to show.
5. Electronic systems in use, or coming soon
Cambodia uses several official electronic entry systems for tourists.
There are three main systems worth knowing about:
Cambodia official eVisa
Cambodia operates an official eVisa system at evisa.gov.kh. The official eVisa site lists the tourist Visa T as single entry, with 3 months validity, a 1 month stay, a US$30 visa fee, and processing in 3 business days.
The current UK guidance says you should apply for the eVisa at least 4 days in advance. It also says you can use the official eVisa app on iOS or Android.
Cambodia e-Arrival Card
On 1 September 2024, Cambodia implemented an official electronic Arrival Card. If you are entering Cambodia by air at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville international airports, you must complete and submit the e-Arrival Card within 7 days before arrival. The current UK guidance says there is no charge for this.
The official Cambodia e-Arrival site says the digital form includes the Electronic Visa On Arrival, Immigration Form, Health Declaration, and Custom Declaration.
FPCS accommodation registration
Cambodia’s Department of Immigration also runs the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS), an online registration app for foreigners staying in the country. If you are staying in a hotel, guesthouse, or rented accommodation, the manager or landlord should register you. If you are staying with friends or family or in your own home, you may need to register yourself using the app.
So the current position for UK tourists is:
- A Cambodia tourist visa is required
- The official eVisa system is active
- The official e-Arrival Card is mandatory for air arrivals at the three main international airports
- Cambodia also uses the FPCS registration system inside the country
- I did not identify a separate Cambodia tourist ETA in the official sources reviewed
6. Costs for UK tourist entry
Cambodia uses the Cambodian riel (KHR). In practice, official visa fees are commonly quoted in US dollars, so the riel figures below are approximate conversions for comparison.
Approximate pound conversions below use the National Bank of Cambodia exchange rates visible on 6 March 2026 of US$1 = KHR 4,013 and £1 = KHR 5,375.
| Item | Does it apply to a normal UK tourist? | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia tourist visa / eVisa (Tourist Visa T) | Yes | KHR 120,390 (about £22.40) |
| Cambodia e-Arrival Card | Yes, for air arrivals at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville | KHR 0 (£0) |
| FPCS accommodation registration | Yes, this may apply during your stay | KHR 0 (£0) identified in the official sources reviewed |
| Cambodia visa on arrival | Sometimes, if you do not use the eVisa route | Payable in US dollars, but I did not identify a clearly published official fee amount in the accessible official sources reviewed |
| Cambodia tourist ETA / separate pre-travel authorisation | No official system identified | KHR 0 (£0) |
Important: the official eVisa fee above is clearly published, but I did not identify a clearly published official tourist visa-on-arrival fee in the accessible official sources reviewed. Check the latest official guidance before relying on visa on arrival.
7. Official UK and Cambodian government links
Use these official pages before booking, before applying, and again shortly before departure:
- UK Government travel advice for Cambodia
- UK Government Cambodia entry requirements
- UK Government foreign travel checklist
- Royal Embassy of Cambodia in the UK
- Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London, Tourist Visa (T Class)
- Cambodia official eVisa portal
- Cambodia official e-Arrival portal
- Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS)
- National Bank of Cambodia exchange rates
If your circumstances are unusual, for example dual nationality, a passport close to expiry, a land-border route, or an intended stay longer than the normal tourist allowance, rely on the official pages above rather than third-party websites.
8. Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Cambodia?
Yes. UK citizens need a visa to enter Cambodia as visitors.
How long can a British tourist stay in Cambodia?
The standard tourist visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry into Cambodia.
How long must my passport be valid for Cambodia?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Cambodia.
Can UK citizens apply for a Cambodia eVisa?
Yes. Cambodia operates an official eVisa system, and the Tourist Visa T is listed as single entry with 3 months validity and 1 month stay.
How much is the Cambodia tourist eVisa?
The official eVisa site lists the tourist visa fee as US$30, which is about KHR 120,390 or about £22.40 using the exchange rates used in this article.
Do I need to complete the Cambodia e-Arrival Card?
Yes, if you are entering by air at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville international airports. It must be submitted within 7 days before arrival.
Is the Cambodia e-Arrival Card free?
Yes. The current UK guidance says there is no charge for the e-Arrival Card.
Does Cambodia have a tourist ETA right now?
I did not identify a separate Cambodia tourist ETA in the official sources reviewed.
Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival in Cambodia?
Yes. The current UK guidance says that if you do not get an eVisa, you can get a visa on arrival at airports or land border crossings, and you need to provide a photo and pay in US dollars.
Do I need to register my accommodation in Cambodia?
Yes, in many cases. Cambodia uses the FPCS registration system, and your hotel, landlord, or host may need to register you.
Is any part of Cambodia under FCDO travel advice?
Yes. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 20km of the land border with Thailand.
Final check before travel
For most UK tourists, the basic answer is clear: you need a visa for Cambodia. The main things to get right are your passport validity, your choice between the official eVisa and visa on arrival, your mandatory e-Arrival Card if you are flying into one of the three main international airports, and your route planning if you are going anywhere near the Thailand border.
