The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) and a Cambodia visa are two completely separate requirements. The e-Arrival Card is a free mandatory immigration declaration form required from every traveler entering Cambodia. A visa is your authorization to enter Cambodia — required by most nationalities but not all. Understanding both is essential for smooth entry into Cambodia.

"The Cambodia e-Arrival Card is not a visa and does not replace a visa. Most travelers need to complete both — separately, via different portals."

Cambodia Arrival Card vs Visa — Side-by-Side Comparison

The simplest way to understand the difference: the CeA tells Cambodia you're coming; the visa gives you permission to enter. Both are needed for most travelers, but they come from different portals and serve different functions.

Featuree-Arrival Card (CeA)Cambodia Visa
Full NameCambodia e-Arrival CardCambodia Tourist Visa / e-Visa
Who needs it?ALL travelers — no exceptionsDepends on nationality (most need it)
CostFREEUSD 30 (e-visa) / USD 35 (Visa on Arrival)
Official portalarrival.gov.khevisa.gov.kh
PurposeImmigration + health + customs declarationAuthorization to enter Cambodia
When to applyUp to 7 days before arrivalUp to 3 months before (e-visa)
ProcessingInstant — QR code generated immediately3 business days (e-visa)
ValiditySingle use, specific arrival date30 days from entry (tourist visa)
ResultQR code to show at immigrationVisa stamp / approval letter

What Is the Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA)?

The Cambodia e-Arrival Card is a mandatory digital form combining three immigration documents in one submission: the immigration form, the health declaration, and the customs declaration. It was introduced in January 2024 and became fully mandatory in September 2024.

  • Required for all travelers — every nationality, every entry point
  • Submitted at arrival.gov.kh or via the official Cambodia e-Arrival app
  • Completely free
  • Can be submitted up to 7 days before arrival
  • Takes about 10 minutes to complete
  • Generates a QR code — shown at immigration on arrival
  • Replaces the old paper immigration form

What Is a Cambodia Visa?

A Cambodia visa is your authorization to enter and stay in Cambodia for a specified period. Most nationalities require a visa; some Asian nationalities (particularly ASEAN countries) enjoy visa-free entry for tourism for 14–30 days.

Cambodia Visa Types

  • Tourist Visa (Type T): For tourism, valid 30 days from entry. Obtainable as e-visa or Visa on Arrival.
  • Business Visa (Type E): For business travel, extendable.
  • e-Visa: Applied at evisa.gov.kh before travel, costs USD 30, processed in ~3 business days.
  • Visa on Arrival: Obtained at international airports and major land borders, costs USD 35 + photo required.

Visa-Free Countries for Cambodia

Some ASEAN nationalities enjoy visa-free entry to Cambodia. However, even visa-exempt travelers must complete the Cambodia e-Arrival Card. Notable visa-free countries include:

  • 🇲🇾 Malaysia — 30 days visa-free
  • 🇸🇬 Singapore — 30 days visa-free
  • 🇵🇭 Philippines — 30 days visa-free
  • 🇮🇩 Indonesia — 30 days visa-free
  • 🇻🇳 Vietnam — 30 days visa-free
  • 🇹🇭 Thailand — 14 days visa-free
  • 🇱🇦 Laos — visa-free
  • 🇧🇳 Brunei — visa-free

Most Western nationalities (UK, USA, Australia, EU) require a visa to enter Cambodia for tourism.

Do I Need Both the Arrival Card and a Visa?

Most travelers need both the Cambodia e-Arrival Card and a Cambodia visa. The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for everyone. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality.

Your SituationNeed e-Arrival Card?Need Visa?
UK / US / EU / Australian passport holder✓ Yes✓ Yes
Malaysian / Singaporean / Filipino passport✓ Yes✗ No (visa-free)
Already have an approved e-visa✓ Yes✗ Already have it
Getting Visa on Arrival at airport✓ Yes (beforehand)✓ At airport
Cambodian citizen✓ Yes✗ Not applicable

How to Get a Cambodia Visa

Cambodia offers three main ways to obtain a tourist visa — online e-visa, Visa on Arrival at the airport, or via a Cambodian embassy before travel.

Cambodia e-Visa (Recommended)

  • Apply at evisa.gov.kh before your trip
  • Costs USD 30 + USD 6 processing fee
  • Processing time: approximately 3 business days
  • Valid for 30 days from entry, single entry
  • Available for most nationalities
  • Avoids queues at the airport

Visa on Arrival

  • Available at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville airports and major land borders
  • Costs USD 35 for tourist visa
  • Requires 1 passport photo
  • Brings queues and delays — e-visa is more convenient
  • Valid 30 days from entry
💡 Tip: Apply for your Cambodia e-visa at evisa.gov.kh at least a week before you travel. Then complete your Cambodia e-Arrival Card at arrival.gov.kh within 7 days of arrival. Both are done online, both are required (for most nationalities).

Frequently Asked Questions

The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) is a free mandatory immigration declaration form required from all travelers — it declares your identity, travel plans, and customs information. A Cambodia visa is your authorization to enter Cambodia — required based on nationality. They are separate documents obtained from different portals.
Most travelers need both. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card is required for all travelers regardless of nationality. A visa is required for most nationalities — check whether your country has visa-free access to Cambodia. ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Philippines are typically visa-exempt but still need the CeA.
No. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card does not replace a visa in any way. They serve completely different purposes and are submitted via different official portals — CeA at arrival.gov.kh, and Cambodia e-visa at evisa.gov.kh.
No. They are completely different documents. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) is free and mandatory for all travelers. The Cambodia e-visa costs USD 30 and is needed by nationalities that require a visa. Both are applied online but at different portals.
Yes. Even if your nationality is visa-exempt for Cambodia (such as Malaysian or Singaporean passport holders), you must still complete the Cambodia e-Arrival Card. The CeA is a separate immigration requirement — it is not a visa and does not depend on your visa status.
Yes. Having an approved Cambodia e-visa does not exempt you from the CeA requirement. Complete your Cambodia e-Arrival Card at arrival.gov.kh within 7 days of your arrival, in addition to your e-visa. Both are required at immigration.

Last updated: 2025. For CeA: arrival.gov.kh. For e-visa: evisa.gov.kh.