The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) must be submitted within 7 days before your arrival date in Cambodia. Submissions more than 7 days in advance are not accepted — the system enforces this automatically. The recommended timing is 24–72 hours before your departure, giving you time to fix any issues before your flight.

⏰ Key Rule: Submit no earlier than 7 days before your Cambodia arrival date. Submit before you board — not at the airport. Recommended: 1–3 days before departure.

The 7-Day Rule Explained

The Cambodia e-Arrival Card submission window opens exactly 7 days before your arrival date. Before this window, the form will not accept your submission. After you arrive (past your arrival date), the QR code becomes invalid.

When You SubmitResultRecommendation
More than 7 days before arrival❌ Rejected by systemWait until 7-day window opens
7 days before arrival✅ AcceptedEarliest possible — only if needed
3–7 days before arrival✅ AcceptedGood — plenty of time to fix issues
1–3 days before arrival Recommended✅ AcceptedOptimal timing for most travelers
24 hours before arrival✅ AcceptedFine, but less time to fix problems
At the airport (on arrival day)✅ Accepted (valid on arrival date)⚠️ Not recommended — tablets available but cause delays
After arrival date passes❌ QR code expiredSubmit new form for new trip
"Arriving on August 10? You can submit your Cambodia e-Arrival Card from August 3 onward. Best timing: August 7–9."

When Is the Best Time to Submit?

The best time to submit your Cambodia e-Arrival Card is 24–72 hours before your departure flight — not 7 days before, and not at the airport. This gives you time to correct any errors, resave your QR code, and travel with confidence.

Why 1–3 days before works best:

  • You've confirmed your hotel and have the hotel name and province ready
  • You know your exact flight number from your boarding pass or booking confirmation
  • If there's an error, you have time to resubmit a new form
  • Your QR code email arrives before you pack your phone charger away
  • The portal is less congested than last-minute submissions

Why submitting 7 days before is not ideal:

  • You may not have confirmed hotel or flight details yet
  • Travel plans can change, requiring a new submission
  • Longer time to forget or lose the QR code

How Long Is the QR Code Valid?

Your Cambodia e-Arrival QR code is valid for the specific arrival date you entered when filling the form. It is tied directly to that date — not to a range of days.

  • QR code is linked to your selected arrival date
  • Valid from the time of submission until the end of your arrival date
  • If your flight is delayed to the next day, your QR code may be invalid
  • For changed travel dates: submit a new form with the correct arrival date
  • The form is free, so resubmitting costs nothing
💡 Flight Delayed Past Midnight? If your flight delays your arrival into the next calendar day, you'll need to submit a new Cambodia e-Arrival Card with the updated arrival date. It takes only 10 minutes and is free.

What About Health and Customs Declarations?

The Cambodia e-Arrival Card combines the immigration form, health declaration, and customs declaration in one submission. All three are submitted at the same time — there's no separate health form to fill at the airport.

  • Health Declaration: Standard questions about recent illness and medications — submit within the same 7-day window
  • Customs Declaration: Declare currency over USD 10,000 and restricted goods — also part of the same form
  • One submission = one QR code for all three requirements

What If You Arrive Without a QR Code?

If you arrive in Cambodia without a completed e-Arrival Card, tablets are available at major airports — but this causes significant delays at the immigration queue. Airlines may also check for CeA completion before boarding at some departure airports.

What happens at the airport without a QR code:

  • You will be directed to complete the form on airport tablets
  • This adds at least 15–30 minutes to your immigration process
  • Some immigration counters may be less patient during peak arrival times
  • Tablets are confirmed at Phnom Penh (PNH) and Siem Reap (SAI) airports
⚠️ Don't rely on airport tablets. They are a last resort fallback, not a recommended option. Always submit your Cambodia e-Arrival Card before your trip.

What If My Travel Plans Change?

If your travel plans change after submitting — different arrival date, different hotel, or cancelled trip — simply submit a new Cambodia e-Arrival Card. The old submission does not need to be cancelled.

  • Submit a new form with your updated arrival date
  • The most recent submission is used at immigration
  • No fee, no cancellation process — just submit again
  • Keep the QR code from your latest submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card within 7 days before your arrival date. The recommended timing is 1–3 days before your departure flight. Submissions earlier than 7 days are rejected by the system.
You can submit up to 7 days before your Cambodia arrival date. The system will not accept submissions made earlier than 7 days before your selected arrival date.
The system automatically rejects submissions made more than 7 days before the arrival date. You will see an error and need to wait until the 7-day window opens.
The QR code is valid for your specific arrival date entered in the form. If your arrival date changes (e.g., due to a flight delay to the next day), submit a new form with the corrected date.
Yes — the form can be submitted on your arrival date. However, doing this at the airport using tablets causes delays. Always complete it before travel. If truly last-minute, use the app on your phone before boarding.
If a delay pushes your arrival into the next calendar day, submit a new Cambodia e-Arrival Card with the updated arrival date. It takes 10 minutes and is free. Delete the old QR code to avoid confusion.
If you cancel your trip, no action on the CeA is needed — it simply won't be used. When you rebook, submit a new Cambodia e-Arrival Card with your new travel dates.

Last updated: 2025. For official guidance visit arrival.gov.kh.