Cambodia e-Arrival Card for Visa-Exempt Travellers: Why You Still Need It
Not needing a visa for Cambodia does not mean not needing the e-Arrival Card. If you are visa-exempt and flying in, the card is still mandatory. Here is why, who is exempt, and how to get it done.
Do visa-exempt travellers need the Cambodia e-Arrival Card?
Yes. A visa exemption means you do not need a visa, but the e-Arrival Card is not a visa: it is the arrival declaration every traveller flying into Cambodia must file. Visa-exempt travellers, such as citizens of ASEAN countries, file it within the 7 days before landing, just like everyone else.
Key Takeaways
- Visa-exempt travellers flying into Cambodia still need the Cambodia e-Arrival Card, because the card is an arrival declaration, not a visa.
- Cambodia’s visa-exempt nationalities are the ASEAN countries: Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
- The visa-free stay allowed varies by nationality, so check the length for your passport before you travel.
- The e-Arrival Card is filed within the 7 days before you land, and each traveller files their own.
- If you plan to stay longer than your visa-free allowance, or to work or do business, you may need a visa after all.
Visa-free does not mean paperwork-free
If your passport lets you enter Cambodia without a visa, it is natural to assume there is nothing to do before you fly. For years, that was nearly true: you filled in a paper arrival card on the plane and walked through. Since the paper card was replaced by the Cambodia e-Arrival Card in 2024, there is one step to do before you travel, and a visa exemption does not remove it.
The reason is that the visa and the arrival card answer different questions. A visa, or an exemption from needing one, answers “Are you allowed in?” The e-Arrival Card answers “Who is arriving, and how?” Your exemption settles the first question. It says nothing about the second.
Cambodia’s own guidance is that all travellers must complete the e-Arrival. It replaced the paper immigration form, health form and customs declaration, which visa-exempt travellers also used to fill in on arrival.
Who is visa-exempt for Cambodia?
Citizens of the other ASEAN member states can visit Cambodia without a visa for short stays. The length of the visa-free stay depends on your nationality, so check the allowance for your passport before you book a long trip.
Each nationality has its own page with the details. For example, see the Cambodia visa guide for Malaysian citizens, which covers the visa-free stay and what to do if you want to stay longer.
Not on this list? Most other nationalities need a visa. The eligibility checker will confirm what your passport needs.
How visa-exempt travellers file the e-Arrival Card
The process is exactly the same as for any other traveller. The only difference is that there is no visa to match against, so the card is the one thing you need to get right before you fly.
- Wait until you are within 7 days of arrival
The card cannot be submitted earlier than 7 days before your arrival date.
- Enter your passport details exactly
Copy your full name, passport number, date of birth and nationality from your passport.
- Add your travel details
The flight that lands in Cambodia, your arrival date, your departure date and your next destination.
- Add your accommodation, health and customs answers
Give the name and city of where you are staying, and complete the short declarations.
- Save the QR code
Screenshot, download or print it, and show it with your passport on arrival.
Ready to go? You can start your e-Arrival application with us and receive the QR code by email.
Short hops and frequent trips
Visa-exempt travellers are often the most frequent visitors: a weekend in Siem Reap from Kuala Lumpur, a business day trip to Phnom Penh from Singapore, a family visit from Ho Chi Minh City. Frequent, short trips are exactly when the e-Arrival Card is easiest to forget, because the rest of the journey feels routine.
- Each air arrival needs its own e-Arrival Card, even if you were in Cambodia last month.
- The departure date and next destination fields are new in 2026, so have your return flight to hand.
- Save the QR code offline: short-haul arrivals move quickly, and there is little time to find an email.
If you fly in often, you can get your e-Arrival Card filed for you each time: book whenever suits you, and we file inside the 7-day window and email you the QR code. It costs $20 Standard, $35 Rush or $60 Super Rush, per traveller.
When a visa-exempt traveller needs a visa after all
A visa exemption covers short visits. If you plan to stay longer than your nationality’s visa-free allowance, or to work or do business in Cambodia, the exemption may not be enough, and you may need a visa. Check the rules for your passport before you travel, not after you arrive.
If you do need a visa, you can apply for the Cambodia eVisa online: Tourist $80 USD or Business $90 USD, approved in 3–5 days. Whichever applies, you still file the e-Arrival Card.
For a full comparison of the two documents, see our guide to the e-Arrival Card vs the Cambodia eVisa.
Crossing overland from a neighbouring country?
Many visa-exempt travellers come from neighbouring countries, and some cross by land. The e-Arrival system lists Cambodia’s international airports as its checkpoints, and overland travellers report paper arrival forms at the border instead. Our guide to the e-Arrival Card at land and sea borders explains what we know.
Frequently asked questions
Do visa-exempt travellers need the Cambodia e-Arrival Card?
Yes. The e-Arrival Card is not a visa. Every traveller flying into Cambodia must file it, whether or not they need a visa.
Which nationalities are visa-exempt for Cambodia?
The ASEAN countries: Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Do Malaysians need the Cambodia e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Malaysians do not need a visa for a short visit, but must file the e-Arrival Card within 7 days before flying into Cambodia.
Do Singaporeans need the Cambodia e-Arrival Card?
Yes. Singaporeans are visa-exempt for short visits but still file the e-Arrival Card before flying in.
How long can visa-exempt travellers stay in Cambodia?
It depends on your nationality. Check the visa-free allowance for your passport before you travel.
Do I need a new e-Arrival Card for every trip?
Yes. Each air arrival needs its own card, filed within 7 days before that arrival.
Sources
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