Cambodia Ends Sticker Visas at Embassies Worldwide from October 3, 2026
Updated: 4 hours ago
PHNOM PENH, October 5, 2026 — Cambodia has officially ended the issuance of physical visa stickers at its embassies and consulates worldwide, completing a transition to fully electronic visa issuance that began earlier this year. Since October 3, 2026, Cambodian diplomatic missions abroad no longer affix sticker visas to passports — a move that marks one of the most significant overhauls of the Kingdom's consular procedures in years.
The transition was confirmed through multiple official channels. The Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Berlin published an official announcement titled "Cambodia Transitions Fully to e-Visas: Phasing Out Physical Passport Stickers," confirming the shift to fully electronic visa issuance. The Honorary Consulate of Cambodia in Osaka followed with its own notice, stating that "in accordance with the official directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia (MFAIC), the issuance of Cambodian visas in the form of stickers has been suspended as of Saturday, October 3, 2026 in all embassies and consulates abroad." Travelers and agencies are now directed to submit applications through the official Cambodia e-Visa portal, while the mandatory Cambodia e-Arrival digital card must be completed separately within 7 days before arrival.
What This Change Actually Means
This development primarily concerns the visa application process — Cambodian embassies and consulates no longer affix stickers to passports. It does not necessarily mean that all visa applications must be submitted exclusively online.
The Royal Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok indicates that it continues to accept applications submitted in person at its consular section, even as all Cambodian visas are now issued electronically. In Osaka, however, the procedure is different: the consulate now invites travelers and travel agencies to submit their applications directly through the official Cambodia e-Visa portal, and physical visa applications are no longer processed at the consular counter.
The procedures for submitting applications may therefore still vary from one representation to another, but the result is now the same: the visa issued is no longer materialized by a sticker affixed in the passport.
A Transition Prepared Since August 1, 2026
The disappearance of sticker visas comes a few weeks after two important developments in the Cambodia e-Visa system.
Since August 1, 2026, Cambodian authorities extended the electronic platform to three new visa categories:
"A" visa — intended for holders of diplomatic passports
"B" visa — intended for official travel
"C" visa — notably used for courtesy visas
These categories joined the electronic visas already offered by Cambodia, particularly the "T" visas for tourism and "E" visas for ordinary or professional stays.
On the same day, Cambodia also modernized the format of its e-Visa certificate. The traditional barcode was replaced by a QR code, a change intended to strengthen the document's security and facilitate its verification.
These two changes paved the way for a complete dematerialization of consular visa issuance.
Visa on Arrival Remains Available
The end of sticker visas in embassies and consulates does not mean the disappearance of the visa on arrival (Visa on Arrival, VOA), which remains available in Cambodia for eligible travelers.
By air, a visa on arrival can be obtained at Cambodia's three international airports:
Techo International Airport (KTI) — caters to Phnom Penh
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI)
Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS)
By land, it is offered at the main international border crossings with Vietnam and Laos. The relevant entry points at the border with Vietnam include Bavet (Svay Rieng), Kaam Samnor (Kandal/Prey Veng), Phnom Den (Takeo), Trapaing Phlong (Kampong Cham), Trapaing Srè (Kratie), Oyadav (Ratanakiri), Banteay Chakrei (Prey Veng), Preak Chak (Kampot), and Samrong (Svay Rieng). At the border with Laos, visas on arrival are available at the Tropaeng Kreal post in Stung Treng province.
Important note: Land border crossings with Thailand — including Poipet, Cham Yeam, O'Smach, Choam, Prom, and Dong — remain closed to cross-border traffic due to the ongoing suspension of crossings between Cambodia and Thailand.
By river and sea, visas on arrival are available at the international port of Phnom Penh. However, they are not issued at the international port of Sihanoukville, which is mainly used by cruise ships.
The e-Visa Portal: Your Primary Online Channel
For eligible travelers, the official Cambodia e-Visa portal remains the primary online application channel for tourist T and ordinary E visas.
Visa Type | Cost | Validity | Stay |
T (Tourist) | $30 | 3 months from issue | 1 month |
E (Ordinary) | $35 | 3 months from issue | 1 month |
Both are issued for single entry. Travelers holding an e-Visa must present their electronic certificate to immigration services upon arrival.
Important warning: Not all border crossings necessarily accept the e-Visa. Travelers should check before departure that their point of entry is compatible with this type of electronic visa.
Don't Forget the e-Arrival Card
Cambodia has also digitized its arrival card. The country uses Cambodia e-Arrival, a digital arrival card that replaces several forms previously filled out on paper upon entry.
This formality is separate from the visa. Travelers must complete their e-Arrival Card even if they already have an e-Visa or other document allowing them entry into Cambodia.
The declaration can be made online at arrival.gov.kh or via the official Cambodia e-Arrival application, within 7 days prior to arrival.
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Effective Date | October 3, 2026 |
Change | Embassies/consulates no longer issue sticker visas |
Visa Format | Electronic (e-Visa with QR code) |
Application Methods | May vary by embassy; e-Visa portal primary |
Visa on Arrival | Still available at airports and main land crossings |
e-Visa Cost | T: $30; E: $35 |
e-Arrival Card | Mandatory, free, separate from visa |
Official e-Visa Portal | |
Official e-Arrival |
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