Do UK travellers need a visa for Cambodia?

Yes — unlike some of its neighbours, Cambodia does require a visa for British visitors. The good news is that it's simple and inexpensive: you can either apply online for an e-visa before you travel, or get a visa on arrival at the airport. A standard tourist visa lasts 30 days, which is ample for a holiday.

There's also a newer step to know about: since 2024, anyone arriving by air must complete a free e-Arrival card online before travelling. And, as ever, your passport must be valid for at least six months and undamaged — Cambodia, like Vietnam, can refuse entry over passport damage.

Below we explain the visa options, the e-Arrival card, the passport requirements, health advice and a few practical points, so your arrival is smooth. Entry rules change, so always confirm the latest on the UK government's Cambodia travel advice pages before you fly.

The quick answer

• Yes, UK travellers need a visa for Cambodia — but it's easy to get.
• Apply for an e-visa online in advance, or get a visa on arrival at the airport.
• A tourist visa lasts 30 days and costs around US$30 (plus a small processing fee for the e-visa).
• Since 2024, air arrivals must also complete a free e-Arrival card online within 7 days before arriving.
• Passport must be valid at least 6 months and undamaged — damage can mean refused entry.
• Bring a passport photo and some US dollars for a visa on arrival.
• No compulsory vaccinations from the UK; check health advice with a travel clinic.
• Always check the latest GOV.UK Cambodia advice before travelling.

You have two straightforward ways to get your Cambodian tourist visa:

The e-visa (recommended for a smooth arrival). Apply online in advance through the official government site (evisa.gov.kh) — take care to use the official site, not copycats that charge more. You upload a passport photo and passport page, pay around US$30 plus a small processing fee, and receive your visa by email within a few days to print and bring. It saves queuing on arrival.

Visa on arrival. Available at the international airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap) and main land borders. You'll need a passport photo and to pay the fee in US dollars cash, then queue to have it issued. It's reliable but can mean a wait after a long flight.

Both give a 30-day single-entry tourist visa, extendable once locally if needed. For most travellers the e-visa is the easier choice; on a guided trip we'll advise and help you arrange it.

Separate from the visa, Cambodia introduced a digital e-Arrival card in 2024, and it's the step most likely to be overlooked:

• If you're arriving by air, you must complete the e-Arrival card online before you travel — it replaces the old paper arrival/customs/health forms.
• It's free (beware of sites that charge), and completed via the official Cambodian system or its app.
• You can submit it within seven days before arrival.
• Complete one for each traveller.

It only takes a few minutes, but it is required, so add it to your pre-departure checklist alongside your visa. On a guided trip we'll remind you and can help you complete both.

Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date and, importantly, be undamaged — Cambodia normally refuses entry for damaged passports or missing pages, so check yours carefully before booking. Make sure you have space for the visa and stamps.

For a visa on arrival, bring a recent passport photo and US dollars cash for the fee.

Extensions and overstaying. A tourist visa can usually be extended once locally; don't overstay, as Cambodia fines overstayers per day on departure.

Combining countries. Cambodia pairs beautifully with Vietnam or Thailand — just note each country's own entry rules (Thailand and Vietnam are visa-free for UK visitors; Cambodia is not).

Vaccinations. No vaccinations are compulsory to enter Cambodia from the UK, though a travel clinic may recommend some (such as hepatitis A and typhoid), and antimalarials for certain rural areas — though the main sights of Angkor and the cities are generally low-risk. A yellow fever certificate is only required if arriving from a risk country. See your GP or travel clinic 4–6 weeks ahead — this is general guidance, not medical advice.

How our experience helps

Cambodia's visa and arrival steps are simple once you know them, and on our trips we make sure nothing is missed: we advise on the e-visa, flag the e-Arrival card in good time and can help you complete both, and you'll arrive with confirmed accommodation and itinerary to show. Our local team knows the airport routine at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. The result is that entering Cambodia — visa and all — is quick and stress-free.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a visa for Cambodia? Yes. You need a tourist visa, obtained either as an e-visa online in advance or as a visa on arrival at the airport. It lasts 30 days.

How much does a Cambodia visa cost? Around US$30 for a 30-day tourist visa, plus a small processing fee for the e-visa. Visa on arrival is paid in US dollars cash.

What is the e-Arrival card and do I need it? Yes, for air arrivals — it's a free digital form (replacing the old paper arrival cards) that you complete online within seven days before you travel.

Should I get an e-visa or a visa on arrival? The e-visa is usually easier, as it saves queuing after a long flight. Apply on the official government site a few days ahead. Visa on arrival is a reliable alternative.

What are the passport rules for Cambodia? Valid for at least six months and undamaged — Cambodia refuses entry for damaged passports — with space for the visa and stamps.

Do I need vaccinations for Cambodia? None are compulsory from the UK, but a travel clinic may recommend some depending on your plans. Yellow fever is only required if arriving from a risk country.

Related reading

• Is Cambodia safe for travellers over 60?
• Is Angkor Wat suitable for travellers over 60?
• How many days do you need in Cambodia?