This guide shares the COVID entry requirements for visiting Cambodia as a tourist in 2023. Includes the most recent updates on Cambodian visas and COVID regulations to help you plan your trip to Cambodia.
With the infamous ‘rona becoming more of a commonplace illness, backpacker travel is returning to Asia. Cambodia was one of the first countries to reopen tourism. Home to the iconic Angkor Wat, paradise beaches and welcoming locals, the Kingdom of Cambodia is ready for you to come and explore!
Read the details below for all of Cambodia’s COVID entry requirements and the visa policies in operation in 2023. Happy planning for your trip to Cambodia!
How to visit Cambodia as a Tourist Post-COVID
Cambodia reopened in late 2021 and has gradually been decreasing COVID-related entry requirements, which means that in 2023 travellers can visit Cambodia with very few restrictions. This is great news for backpackers ready to take on the iconic trails of South East Asia.
How to Get a Tourist Visa for Cambodia in 2023
In March 2022, Cambodia resumed visa exemptions, visa on arrival, and e-visas. This means that it is now very easy to enter Cambodia as a tourist in 2023.
Non-vaccinated travellers are still required to quarantine for 1 week, which must be done in a government-authorised hotel. This makes backpacking Cambodia in 2023 more challenging for those that are not vaccinated.
Visa Exemptions
ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia or Singapore, are eligible for visa exemptions in Cambodia. You can enter Cambodia without a visa if your passport is from one of these countries.
Visa exemptions allow you 14 to 30 days in Cambodia without a visa, though the duration varies for each country. Check the full list of visa exemptions to see how long your nationality can stay in Cambodia with a visa exemption.
Visa on Arrival for Cambodia
You can get a visa on arrival (VOA) at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and land border crossings. Most countries are eligible for Cambodia VOA, but you can confirm that you’re country is included here. For this, you will need to show proof of vaccination and have a printout of your passport, with 6 months of validity with 2 blank pages in your passport.
If you choose to get a visa on arrival, expect to queue and wait at immigration while your visa is approved.
💰 $30 (you will need to have dollars in cash for a visa on arrival)
How to Apply for E-Visa to Visit Cambodia
We applied for an e-visa for our trip to Cambodia, which was seamless and enabled us to pass through immigration quickly. Over 200 countries are eligible for an e-visa to enter Cambodia, but confirm that your country can apply for an e-visa here.
To apply for the e-visa to visit Cambodia, you need to submit proof of the following:
✅ Proof of vaccination (it can be a certificate, card or a photo of an app confirming you have received 2 vaccinations)
✅ Proof of health/travel insurance that covers you for COVID-related treatment in Cambodia
✅ Confirmation of your first night’s stay in Cambodia (you can find and book accommodation on Booking.com* and upload the confirmation PDF they email you)
Apply for the e-visa through the official government portal here.
💰 $30 paid online
Our e-visa for Cambodia was approved in 2 days, though the website suggests it can take up to 4 days. Make sure you print 2 copies of your e-visa – one for immigration on arrival and one for when you depart Cambodia.
Having a pre-approved e-visa meant that on arrival in Cambodia, we went through immigration in a matter of minutes. We did have to show proof of our vaccinations, and while we had our vaccine records printed, showing them our foreign app was sufficient. All in all, a super painless experience!
Cambodia COVID Entry Requirements in 2023
The COVID entry requirements for visiting Cambodia in 2023 are as follows:
✅ Must have travel insurance which includes cover for COVID-related health treatment up to the amount of $50,000 (you can find policies via providers such as World Nomads or SafetyWings*).
✅ Monitor your health and immediately notify local medical staff if they have symptoms of COVID.
✅ Follow the local pandemic precautions – This includes wearing masks when out in public, using hand sanitiser, and maintaining a safe distance from others.
However, when I last visited Cambodia in 2022, masks were no longer enforced and many locals do not wear masks.
Where to Travel in Cambodia
Cambodia is fully open for travel, meaning you can explore anywhere you like! This makes Cambodia a great place for backpackers to visit in 2023. If you’re solo travelling and staying in hostels, you will meet people along the way; it’s busy here!
Planning a Trip to Cambodia in 2023
Aside from the lure of discovering the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, there are lots of cool things to see and do in Cambodia. Here are some places I recommend including in your Cambodia itinerary:
✍️ Explore the bustling capital of Phnom Penh
✍️ Chill in the riverside haven of Kampot
✍️ Unwind on the paradise islands Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanloem
✍️ See millions of bats fly out of the caves of Battambang
✍️ Be mesmerized by the temples of Angkor in Siem Reap
There you have it – everything you need to know about getting a visa and covid entry requirements to visit Cambodia in 2023!
Found this post useful? Pin it for others!
Planning a Trip to Cambodia
For more information on planning a trip to Cambodia, be sure to check out my Complete Cambodia Travel Guide which includes everything you need to know for travelling around the country and all my local travel guides.
✍️ Cambodia Itinerary for 1 – 3 Weeks (coming soon)
✍️ The Cost of Travelling Cambodia on a Budget
✍️ 5 Beautiful Places to Visit in Cambodia
