The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) is required for all methods of entry into Cambodia — including land border crossings. Overland travelers entering from Thailand or Vietnam must submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card at arrival.gov.kh before crossing, just like air travelers. The registration is free and takes about 10 minutes.

✅ Land Border Confirmed: The Cambodia e-Arrival Card is mandatory at all land border crossings, including Poipet and Bavet. Submit at arrival.gov.kh before crossing.

Is the Cambodia Arrival Card Required at Land Borders?

Yes — the Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) is required for all entry points into Cambodia, including land border crossings. Since September 1, 2024, this requirement applies to arrivals by air, land, and sea.

Some earlier guides from 2024 (including some competitor articles) stated that land borders still used paper forms. This information is outdated. As of September 2024, the CeA digital form is required for all entry points.

⚠️ Outdated Information Warning: Some travel guides state that land borders still use paper forms. This was true during the 2024 trial period but is no longer accurate. All travelers crossing land borders need the Cambodia e-Arrival Card.

Main Cambodia Land Border Crossings

Cambodia shares land borders with Thailand and Vietnam, with multiple official crossing points. All of these require the Cambodia e-Arrival Card since September 2024.

Border CrossingCountryNearest City (Thailand/Vietnam)Popular For
Poipet / Aranyaprathet🇹🇭 ThailandAranyaprathet (SA rail line from Bangkok)Most popular Thailand crossing
Bavet / Moc Bai🇻🇳 VietnamHo Chi Minh City (Saigon)Most popular Vietnam crossing
O'Smach / Chong Sa-Ngam🇹🇭 ThailandSurin, northeastern ThailandLess common overland route
Koh Kong / Hat Lek🇹🇭 ThailandTrat, eastern ThailandCoastal crossing, Sihanoukville bound
Prek Chak / Xa Xia🇻🇳 VietnamPhu Quoc island areaSouthern Vietnam-Cambodia route

Poipet Land Border — Thailand to Cambodia

Poipet is Cambodia's busiest land border crossing, linking Thailand's Aranyaprathet with Cambodia. It is the main entry point for overland travelers from Bangkok and Bangkok area airports (BKK/DMK).

Cambodia e-Arrival Card at Poipet

  • Submit your Cambodia e-Arrival Card at arrival.gov.kh before traveling to the border
  • Show your QR code at the Cambodia immigration counter after crossing the Thailand side
  • Poipet is congested — having your QR code ready speeds up processing significantly
  • Arrive with QR code on phone and a printed copy as backup (no printer at border)

Visa at Poipet

Visa on Arrival is available at Poipet. If your nationality requires a visa, you can obtain it at the Poipet immigration desk. The CeA and visa are separate processes — complete the CeA online beforehand, and get your visa at the border.

Bavet Land Border — Vietnam to Cambodia

Bavet (also written Moc Bai on the Vietnamese side) is the most popular land crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia, connecting Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with Phnom Penh. Bus journeys take approximately 5–6 hours.

Cambodia e-Arrival Card at Bavet

  • Submit your Cambodia e-Arrival Card before boarding your bus or transport to the border
  • Many bus operators from Ho Chi Minh City now remind passengers to complete the CeA
  • Show your QR code at the Cambodian immigration counter at Bavet
  • Having your form ready significantly reduces processing time at this busy crossing

How to Submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card for Land Entry

The Cambodia e-Arrival Card submission process is identical whether you're entering by air or by land. Use the same portal (arrival.gov.kh) and select the land border as your Port of Entry.

  1. Open arrival.gov.kh or the Cambodia e-Arrival app
  2. Select "Sign In Without Account"
  3. Complete passport details, personal info, and travel information
  4. In the Port of Entry field — select your land border crossing (e.g., "Poipet")
  5. In the Type of Transport field — select "Land" or "Bus/Coach"
  6. In the Travel Route fields — enter the city you're coming from
  7. Complete accommodation and health/customs sections
  8. Submit and save your QR code
💡 Port of Entry for Land Crossings: When filling the form, select your specific land border crossing in the Port of Entry field — not an airport. Available options include Poipet, Bavet, O'Smach, and others.

Tips for Overland Travelers

Overland travelers face unique challenges compared to air travelers — no pre-boarding check, unpredictable crossing times, and less reliable internet at border areas. Plan around these factors to avoid delays.

  • Submit your CeA before traveling to the border area — internet can be unreliable near rural crossings
  • Download the QR code while on WiFi — save it to your phone's camera roll for offline access
  • Print a paper copy — some border immigration officers prefer physical documents
  • Charge your phone before a long bus or road journey to the border
  • Bring passport photos — needed if you're also applying for a Visa on Arrival at the border
  • Prepare payment for Visa on Arrival if required — USD is accepted at most crossings

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card is required at all land border crossings since September 2024. This includes Poipet (Thailand), Bavet (Vietnam), O'Smach, and all other official land crossings.
Yes. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card is required at Poipet, Cambodia's busiest land crossing with Thailand. Submit it before traveling to the border via arrival.gov.kh or the official app.
Complete it before you arrive at the border. Internet connectivity near land border areas can be unreliable, and there may not be assistance available for last-minute completions. Submit at arrival.gov.kh before you start your overland journey.
In the Port of Entry field of the Cambodia e-Arrival form, select your specific land border crossing — for example "Poipet" for the Thailand crossing or "Bavet" for the Vietnam crossing. Do not select an airport if entering by land.
The Cambodia e-Arrival Card and a visa are separate requirements. If your nationality requires a visa, you can get a Visa on Arrival at most major land border crossings. Complete the CeA online beforehand and get your visa at the border immigration desk. See our arrival card vs visa guide.

Last updated: 2025. For official current requirements visit arrival.gov.kh.