Hello all!

I have spent at least 2,5 of the last 10 years in Cambodia, and have always been able to get a business/ordinary visa on arrival which I could then renew indefinitely.

Today I arrived by plane to Siem Reap and applied for an ordinary visa. The first person I spoke to at the immigration desk was very friendly and didn't have a problem with that. However, after paying the fee, my passport was passed to another guy who started asking me questions about why I wanted a business visa. My reply was essentially that I had saved up money working in my home country, and would now like to stay in Cambodia for an extended period of time. I was told that I could only get a business visa if I was staying for work. My guess is that this is related to the supposedly "new" requirements that became effective October 17th.

Has anyone here heard of or experienced something similar? Any suggestions on how to obtain a business visa on arrival are highly appreciated!

You’ve already arrived so why are you asking about visa on arrival?

E ordinary visa (which you’ve got) is all you need to enter the country.
You can then convert to ER (retirement) if over 55. Six month EB work EOS, you’ll need a tax patent and company letter and for a 12 months EB an additional work permit.
You can also get 3 month EG EOS but it’s not renewable.

mannanman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:29 pm You’ve already arrived so why are you asking about visa on arrival?

E ordinary visa (which you’ve got) is all you need to enter the country.

No, the problem is that I only got the T visa, not E as I wanted.

Alex wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 7:52 pm Lesson learned, tell them you're looking for work.

I might try that on my next entry.

sketchyxxx wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 8:51 pm

mannanman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:29 pm You’ve already arrived so why are you asking about visa on arrival?

E ordinary visa (which you’ve got) is all you need to enter the country.

No, the problem is that I only got the T visa, not E as I wanted.

Alex wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 7:52 pm Lesson learned, tell them you're looking for work.

I might try that on my next entry.

Oh dear.
You can only extend the T visa once for 30 days then you’ll have to leave and re enter.

Be aware some nationalities are denied an E ordinary visa on arrival and you’ll have to apply at your nearest embassy.

Alex wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 9:14 pm Out of curiosity, what's your nationality? Anything that might be on their sh1tlist? African (including South Africa), Indian, Vietnamese?

Norwegian, Caucasian. Never had any issues in the past, only this time they suddenly started asking questions. I guess bad luck with the immigration officer, or they actually became stricter.

sketchyxxx wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:07 pm My reply was essentially that I had saved up money working in my home country, and would now like to stay in Cambodia for an extended period of time.

That probably confused them. There is no visa for just staying here as long as you like - unless it's a retirement visa. You need to be more specific, they are tightening up on just letting anyone in for a long time, for all they know you could be a sketchy individual involved in organized crime.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 9:57 pm for all they know you could be a sketchy individual involved in organized crime.

i never seem to have any problems

There have been several similar reports over the past 6 months or so from people arriving in Siem Reap, no similar reports from people arriving in Phnom Penh (with the exception of certain Nationalities obviously). As a previous poster mentioned, keep it simple when asked purpose of visit, just say business, employment or retirement.

You'll just need to make a border run, Exit, and get the E-type (Ordinary) Visa on Arrival.