Cambodia - Visa on arrival

[pythonisman]

Hi all,

I searched and didn't find an answer to this, was seeking others' opinion:

My brother, a group of his friends and I are traveling to Cambodia for a 5 day beach trip aka bucks party for my brother. They're flying Air Asia; I'll be flying MH.
The Internet seems to suggest there are three ways to get a visa for Cambodia - by mailing your passport away to the embassy in Canberra (undesirable), by filling out an "e-Visa" (though the .gov.kh site is coming up as having been malicious at some point in the past, and uploading all my passport info something that sounds like it could let someone create a fake passport is also undesirable), or "Visa on Arrival".

Two questions:

- Is this correct? (i.e. does Visa on Arrival exist when flying into PNH?)
- Do the airlines recognise VoA as a valid thing? (i.e. for my brother, with Air Asia's "Documents Check" counter before you board your flight in KL)

If so then the VoA sounds like the way to go...

Appreciate any insight anyone has on this topic. Thanks in advance.

 

[Duffa]

I have used the government website without a problem. Visa on arrival worked well

p.s Buy your Vodka at supermarkets. $10 a litre

 

[RooFlyer]

Obviously a VoA would be the easiest option, but can't help there sorry. Just wondering why sending passport to the embassy in Canberra is 'undesirable'?

If you need your passport at the ready (as I often do) - then fair enough. But otherwise I do send off for a visa (and did so for Cambodia a couple of years ago). You never know what glitches or issues (or hold-ups) may crop up at the arrival immigration desk (unless its a country where it truly is 'automatic' if you have an Aussie passport, and a pulse).

I also use Toll's visa service - pick up from you, deliver to embassy, pick up, and deliver back, with tracking. Costs a bit more, but 'set and forget'.

ps because things like this change, I wouldn't be happy with advice from anyone except the airline as to whether they will be OK with VoA!

 

[BillytheFIsh]

It was a few years ago now, but VOA was no problem for me when I flew VTE-PNH. As I recall, it was in US$ which I didn't have any, but there was an ATM in the arrivals hall that dispensed US$ like all of them in Cambodia (that I came across at least).

EDIT: The info in the email from my TA from 2010 (I didn't realise it was that long ago!) says I also needed 2 recent colour passport photos, so you probably should check that.

 

[dk4]

I highly recommend the e-visa. I did one online a few years ago (very simple, even took my own selfie for the photo), and breezed through immigration on arrival!

While everyone else was confused about what to do/where to go/what to fill out, and then queuing to get the visa from the VOA counter (prior to immigration), I strolled past all of them up to the empty immigration counters, handed over my e-visa document/passport and was through in seconds. (Mind you, my experience was at Siem Reap.)

 

[get me outta here]

Of course some people will get an automatic, but unwelcome visa from the Australian Govt agreement with Cambodia soon enough. (Sorry, the devil made me say it)

I highly recommend the e-visa. I did one online a few years ago (very simple, even took my own selfie for the photo), and breezed through immigration on arrival!

While everyone else was confused about what to do/where to go/what to fill out, and then queuing to get the visa from the VOA counter (prior to immigration), I strolled past all of them up to the empty immigration counters, handed over my e-visa document/passport and was through in seconds. (Mind you, my experience was at Siem Reap.)

 

[Alanslegal]

Visa On Arrival is perfectly fine for Australian passport holders. The moment you land you get directed to go get your Visa, pay the US$20 or whatever the fee is - I can't remmeber but it's there abouts - then you get a stamp stuck in your book, then you proceed through to immigration.

 

[pythonisman]

Thanks all. Have also checked with the airlines, they seem pretty indifferent and basically say it's our responsibility. My brother is trying to coordinate 11 people going away and strongly prefers the visa on arrival method. I've been a bit slack, am heading to Japan next week and going straight from there to Phnom Penh so I won't get a chance to send mine away. I might check out the e-visa though

 

[Alanslegal]

Smartraveller states:
Australians visiting Cambodia require a visa. The Cambodian Government has introduced an electronic tourist visa ("e-visa") facility. Travellers are able to apply for a tourist visa on-line through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s website. E-visas are only valid for entry through Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, Koh Kong City (Cham Yeam), Poipet (Banteay Meanchey) and Bavet (Svay Rieng). E-visas are not supported at other entry points. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity remaining when you arrive in Cambodia on an e-visa.

Cambodian visas are normally available on arrival as well. Your passport must have at least four months' validity remaining when you apply for a visa on arrival in Cambodia. You should be aware that all neighbouring countries (Thailand, Vietnam and Laos) require passports to have at least six months’ validity. Local immigration authorities may deny entry and deport people who do not meet this requirement, even if they intend staying only for a short period. Day trips (arriving and departing on the same day) are not permitted except when arriving and departing via Phnom Penh International Airport

Cambodia | Travel advice | Smartraveller: The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service

 

[Colster]

Went to Siem Reap in October. Did the e-visa application through an iphone app. Took a while, but got the e-Visa no problem and breezed through immigration. Even used the iphone to take the a selfie for the visa photo. Was too simple really.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I use e-visa, simple, easy, no issues.