First time entry; please assist

Hans · Post by **Hans** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:48 am

I've searched by can't find answers to my specific questions. I've just this morning (16 Aug) received a work agreement for 24 Aug - 31 June. The travel agent got back to me just before close of business on a Friday, leaving me with few options for finding answers, which is why I'm posting here. I have searched the 'net extensively but can't find the required info.
Background: Employer (school) wants me to arrange visas and will reimburse me after. My understanding is that I need a Business Visa, which I should be able to obtain at the airport, then arrange a working permit after. I need to purchase a flight ticket from Cape Town (South Africa) to Phnom Penh asap. My intention was to buy a one-way ticket but travel agent warned me that the carrier may then refuse boarding. According to said agent I need to buy a return flight with a stay no longer than 30 days. That's not only double the price but I plan to only return by July 2020, so it will mean forfeiting the return leg or paying an additional $360 odd for changing the return date afterwards. This leaves me in a predicament. I can only call visa inquiries on Monday, which leaves precious little time for the travel arrangements.
Can anyone perhaps confirm if (a) I can board with a one-way flight ticket and a copy of the work agreement, or (b) the agreement and return ticket with an 11 month stay?
Thanks in anticipation.
Hans

IraHayes · Post by **IraHayes** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:53 am

Buy a 1 way flight to PP. Arrive at the airport. Have US$ ready and a couple of passport photos and pay for a 1 month business visa. A decent, reputable school would sort the work permit for you and you are set.

Complications may arise if you are black....

My mother, 72, flies in on a one way ticket, pays for a business visa and has never had any problems. So I feel you are getting worked up over nothing.
But, do let us know how it goes as I am sure there will be future readers, who have the same concerns, who will find this thread and will be heartened to hear of the happy outcome.

Edit to add: of course, have your work agreement on hand but I doubt you will be asked for it.

frank lee bent · Post by **frank lee bent** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 8:05 am

Don't buy a return ticket! You can sign a waiver if they give you any lip about boarding on a one way.

Africans in general find it more difficult to enter on a business Visa, properly called an e class visa. Especially if black as noted above. Thank some of the criminal Nigerians along with innate racism of khmers.

Get a letter from the school on their letterhead emailed and print it offering you employment. That will help with visa and airlines.

Phnom Penh is the easiest airport for visas.

Land borders are a shitshow.

Doc67 · Post by **Doc67** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:25 am

I have never been asked for a return ticket anywhere in all my life. I would not be worried.

The question, "are you black" might be pertinent. Are you?

'Cape Coloured' perhaps?

It would be interesting to know your ethnicity and how you are treated. Please update the thread to help others in the future.

Good luck...

Kammekor · Post by **Kammekor** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:46 am

This is what you can do if you're 'Caucasian pale skinned':

- bring a letter from your school just in case
- bring some passport sized pictures just in case
- bring USD in small amounts to pay for your visa and trip into town
- on the arrival card (provided on the plane) check 'ordinary visa'. You won't find any other codes there, check 'ordinary visa'
- if you are given back you passport with a one month visa check if they didn't give you the wrong (tourist) visa

If you're not white, apply for a visa in advance, or let your school do the arrangements, or prepare for a shitstorm at the airport upon arrival. Forget about all the other visa codes mentioned above, you won't find them on the new arrival card. Remember: ordinary visa.

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:17 pm

i thought if ur not white an/or from an African country they WONT give you an ordinary, (Business) visa on arrival.
At least thats the way it seems to go from postings on fb.

FYI:
this gives me concern, they hired you on the 16th to start on the 24th?? Are they paying ur ticket over??
Do you have any paperwork stating ur employment/salary/terms etc>

BTW> when did they stop stamping Cambodians in and out?? Gf just returned an she wasn't stamped into the country or when she left this morning

frank lee bent · Post by **frank lee bent** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:31 pm

Some African countries they won't give an e class visa to any colour on arrival. They have to get it in their home country. I think white saffers are ok but I know of a white guy from Namibia that got denied on a land crossing.

BTW, you don't need photos anymore.

Bubble T · Post by **Bubble T** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:48 pm

Sounds like I'm the only person here who's ever been refused boarding (in the UK) to fly to PP without an onward ticket, despite the fact I had a multiple entry one year visa. They said it was the airline's policy and arguing about it for half an hour got me no where. In the end they suggested that I buy a cheap onward ticket, then cancel it and get a refund upon my arrival in Cambodia, which is what I did. The onward ticket I got was about $100 to fly from PP to HCMC, you don't need to double the cost of your ticket by getting a return, you just have to have another ticket to somewhere else. By the time it was all resolved the only cost was a bit of stress and a $30 cancellation fee.

PSD-Kiwi · Post by **PSD-Kiwi** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 1:06 pm

Hans wrote: ↑Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:48 am I've searched by can't find answers to my specific questions. I've just this morning (16 Aug) received a work agreement for 24 Aug - 31 June. The travel agent got back to me just before close of business on a Friday, leaving me with few options for finding answers, which is why I'm posting here. I have searched the 'net extensively but can't find the required info.
Background: Employer (school) wants me to arrange visas and will reimburse me after. My understanding is that I need a Business Visa, which I should be able to obtain at the airport, then arrange a working permit after. I need to purchase a flight ticket from Cape Town (South Africa) to Phnom Penh asap. My intention was to buy a one-way ticket but travel agent warned me that the carrier may then refuse boarding. According to said agent I need to buy a return flight with a stay no longer than 30 days. That's not only double the price but I plan to only return by July 2020, so it will mean forfeiting the return leg or paying an additional $360 odd for changing the return date afterwards. This leaves me in a predicament. I can only call visa inquiries on Monday, which leaves precious little time for the travel arrangements.
Can anyone perhaps confirm if (a) I can board with a one-way flight ticket and a copy of the work agreement, or (b) the agreement and return ticket with an 11 month stay?
Thanks in anticipation.
Hans

First things first, please be aware that Cambodian Immigration are being funny about issuing E-type (Ordinary) Visas on Arrival to passport holders from African Nations, there have been several reports in recent months of South African passport holders being denied the E-type VOA...yes, even white South Africans.

Airlines may not allow you to board without an onward journey, as they are liable to return you to your departure destination if you are refused entry. Usually you can sign a waiver which states that the carrier are not responsible for your repatriation if denied entry, but some airlines will not allow this. Your best bet is to buy a refundable onward flight ticket, just to be on the safe side and appease the airline.

With regards to the Visa...You need to obtain the E-type (Ordinary) Visa on Arrival, which costs $35 and is valid for 1 month. As a Sth African passport holder I would advise you to obtain a Letter of Invitation and offer of employment from the school which is hiring you, so that you can provide this to the Immigration officials in support of your E-type VOA application.

You will then need to apply for a 12 mth EB (Business) EOS (extension of stay) from a visa agent as soon as possible. You will need to supply an official letter of employment from your employer as supporting documentation, approximate cost via an agent is $270 - 300 (price varies from agent to agent).

Once you receive your EB EOS, you will then need to apply for a Work Permit at https://fwcms.mlvt.gov.kh/

If you are denied an E-type VOA, they may issue a T-type (Tourist) VOA. In that case you will need your school to provide you with extensive supporting documentation so that you can apply for an E-type Visa in Advance from the nearest Cambodian Embassy (Kuala Lumpur is recommended). If this happens, report back and I will advise you on the supporting documentation required.

PSD-Kiwi · Post by **PSD-Kiwi** » Sat Aug 17, 2019 1:07 pm

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:17 pm
BTW> when did they stop stamping Cambodians in and out?? Gf just returned an she wasn't stamped into the country or when she left this morning

About 3 or 4 months ago iirc, same time they implemented the new e-gate system.

First time entry; please assist

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