Cambodian International Border Crossing
The Thai crossing at Poipet is the most accessible to Siem Reap; the Thai crossing at Koh Kong and the Vietnamese crossings at Ha Tien and Phnom Den give international access to southern Cambodia; and the Vietnamese crossings at Moc Bai and Chau Doc are most convenient to Phnom Penh.
Crossings with Thailand
1. Aranyaprathet, Thailand/Poipet, Cambodia (Most direct access to Siem Reap)
2. Hat Lek, Thailand/Koh Kong, Cambodia (Cham Yeam Checkpoint) (Most direct access to Sihanoukville)
3. Chong Jom, Thailand/O’Smach, Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia
4. Chong Sa Ngam, Thailand/Anlong Veng, Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia
5. Ban Pakard, Chantaburi, Thailand/Phsar Prom Pailin, Cambodia (Prom Checkpoint)
6. Ban Laem, Chantaburi, Thailand/Daung Lem, Battambang, Cambodia (Daung Checkpoint)
Crossings with Vietnam
7. Bavet Checkpoint: Moc Bai, Vietnam/Bavet, Svay Rieng, Cambodia (To/from Phnom Penh)
8. Ving Xuong, Vietnam/Kaam Samnor, Kandal, Cambodia (“The Chau Doc Crossing”) (To/from Phnom Penh)
9. Tinh Bien, Vietnam/Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia (To/from Phnom Penh or Kampot/Kep)
10. Trapeang Phlong Border Pass: Xa Mat, Vietnam/Trapeang Phlong, Kampong Cham, Cambodia
11. Xa Xia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia (‘Ha Tien crossing’) – (To/from Kampot/Kep) Newly opened international border crossing.
12. Le Tanh,Gia Lai Province, Vietnam/O’Yadaw, Ratanakiri, Cambodia – Newly opened international border crossing. Travelers report Cambodian visas available at the border. Vietnamese visas NOT available at the border. Visa status is unconfirmed by official sources.
13. Trapeang Srer International Border Checkpoint, Kratie Province
14. Banteay Chakrey International Border Checkpoint, Prey Veng Province
Crossings with Laos
13. Voeung Kam, Laos/Dom Kralor, Cambodia
Visas at Overland Border Crossings
Border crossing with Laos: Border policies are not stable. Travelers report that Cambodian visas are available at the border but Laotian visas are not available at the border.
Border crossings with Vietnam: Cambodian visas are available at the Moc Bai/Bavet and ‘Chau Doc’ border crossings. Vietnamese visas are not available at any overland border crossing.
Border crossings with Thailand: Cambodian visas and 30-day Thai transit visas are available at all Thai/Cambodian border crossings. Thai transit visas are free of charge. Other types of Thai visas are not available. At the Poipet and Koh Kong crossings, Cambodian immigration usually charges 1000-1200 baht for a tourist visa and 1500 baht for a business visa. Unlike the rest of the country, they usually refuse dollars. At current exchange rates, the price in baht is significantly more expensive than the official prices of $20 and $25. Some people have had some success paying the official price in dollars by being politely insistent.
Border Crossing Scams/Annoyances
Be prepared for minor scams from the border guards at the overland border crossings, especially at Koh Kong and Poipet.
Scam #1: Drivers and touts will insist that you need their help to obtain a visa. This is not true. They want to charge an extra fee. The visa process is easy, straightforward and do-it-yourself. Do not accept their ‘assistance’ as it is not necessary and will only lengthen the process and increase the cost.
Scam #2: Immigration police may try to overcharge 100-300 baht for the visa, or charge 100 baht for the normally free exit/entry stamp. Try asking for a receipt.
Scam #3: Some Khao San Road based companies sell bus tickets promising transport from Bangkok to Siem Reap via Poipet. But instead the bus goes through the much more isolated Pailin crossing where passengers are subjected to more scams (overpriced visas, extra charges for transportation, change to inferior transportation, etc.) and have little recourse due to the isolation of the crossing.
When dealing with officials, there is usually room for polite explanations and bargaining. One sometimes-successful approach is to smile, say “no, thank you”, smile some more, perhaps act like you don’t understand and walk away. This technique may or may not work but it has a greater likelihood of success than simply refusing to do what they are asking or, even worse, becoming argumentative or showing anger.
Cambodia Visa and Immigration
 |
 |
 |
Visa, Entry and Exit Requirements
Cambodian Visas
Visas are available at overseas Cambodian embassies, on arrival at all international airports and most international border crossing checkpoints, and through the new online E-Visa procedure.
Visas are available at overseas Cambodian embassies, on arrival at all international airports and most international border crossing checkpoints, and through the new online E-Visa procedure.
A passport with at least four month validity is required. A visa is required for most nationalities. (Philippine and Malaysian nationals do not require tourist visas for a stay up to 21 and 30 days respectively. Singaporean nationality is also exempt from the usual visa requirement.) No special permits are required.
One-month tourist visa (Type ‘T’): US$20. Business visa (Type ‘E’): US$25. Diplomatic, Official, Courtesy, and Special (Cambodian) visas are issued free of charge. One 4×6 photo is required. Visa prices are often higher at Thai overland crossings.
Tourist visas can be extended for one month, but only one time. Business visas can be renewed indefinitely. Renew visas through a travel agent or the ‘Department for Foreigners’ on Confederation de Russie (‘Airport Road’), located opposite Phnom Penh International Airport. Tel: 012-581558. Fax: 023-890380. E-mail: visa_info@online.com.kh. Renew Diplomatic, Courtesy and Official visas at the Consular section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
E-Visa – The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs now offers ‘e-visa’
– visas available online through the Ministry’s website. Scan of passport and passport size photo required. Payment by credit card. US$25 for a 30 day visa (three month validity.) Processing time: 3 days. Issued by email and print from from your computer. The Ministry recently announced that e-visa entry points now include Siem Reap International Airport, Phnom Penh International Airport, the Bavet/Moc Bai border crossing, the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing and the Koh Kong/Had Lek border crossing. See the Ministry website at: