2 easy ways to get Cambodian tourist visa for Indian passport holders

Sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is famous for Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world. UNESCO declared the historic temple as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Stroll through Siem Reap city to discover its magic.

Can you believe that the temple was lost in the jungle for almost 400 years?

A tourist visa is quite easy to get for Indian passport holders. Basically, there are two ways 

1. Visa on Arrival
2. An e-Visa

Method 1: Visa on Arrival (VOA)

This is the easiest method. A Visa on arrival means that you just book a ticket, board the flight. Then obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the destination airport. As simple as it sounds.

Reaching Cambodia by flight/land

There are 3 international airports offering VOA

1. Siem Reap International Airport
2. Phnom Penh International Airport
3. Sihanoukville International Airport

If you are accessing Cambodia via land, there are designated International border points (like the one at Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam). Some corrupt officials may try to trick you and get extra money. This is a quite common thing while border crossing using the land. So make sure to do extensive research before you start.

Requirements

Upon arrival at the airport, get ready with your travel documents. Here is your required travel documents for your visa

1. Original passport valid at least 6 months from your travel dates.
2. Recent Passport size photo.
3. A Visa processing fee of 30 USD (only cash). 
4. A confirmed return flight ticket.
5. Proof of Accommodation of your stay.
6. Bank statement or Credit card or a few hundred USD as cash to manage your expenses. But the officials ask this rarely. 

Note: Sometimes ATMs don’t work at the airport. So make sure to exchange some USD prior to your trip.

If you don’t have a passport size photo, the officials automatically scan your photo in the original passport. This costs an additional ~3 USD. So don’t panic if you forget to bring a photo.

Stay

Cambodia allows Indians citizens to stay for a maximum of 30 days. Visit the nearest immigration center to extend your visa (30 days) for an additional 30 USD.

Visa Process

Upon arrival at the airport, there are a lot of counters. Don’t get confused. Follow these steps

1. Fill up the Visa application form, include your photo.
2. Fill Departure, and Arrival card.
3. Proceed to the Visa counter, submit your Visa form along with 30 USD (as cash) and passport.
4. Your documents go through a stretch of visa officers who do background checks, store your data.
5. Finally, after 10-15 min, a visa official calls by your name.
6. Go and collect your passport.
7. Your passport has the Cambodian tourist visa stamped.
8. Proceed to the immigration counter along with your Arrival and Departure Card.
9. The Immigration officer collects the arrival card and now you are all set to explore Cambodia.

Note: Keep your Departure card safe. Upon exiting Cambodia, you need to give it at the Immigration. They take it back.

Method 2: e-Visa

This method involves getting a visa prior to your journey. Apply for a single entry tourist eVisa, download the pdf, include along with travel documents. The official website ’Kingdom of Cambodia’ describes this procedure in 3 simple steps.

1. Create an account 
2. Apply and pay
3. Download eVisa

Advantages

1. Avoid long waiting lines at the immigration to obtain VOA.
2. An e-Visa is a handy option for those who want to save the passport page from stamping.

Drawbacks

1. Additional 8 USD, apart from Visa fee (30 USD).
2. No refund if you decide to cancel the trip.

Note: Obtaining an e-Visa doesn’t guarantee entry into the country. The decision depends on the immigration officer who does a thorough background check.  

“Adventure is worthwhile” – Anonymous