Don't panic. These new guidelines seem to be specifically aimed at illegal foreign migrant workers, but stay up to date on the new laws to be sure that they do not apply to you.

September 3, 2021
Immigration department reviews procedure on foreigners
Yin Soeum / Khmer Times
The Immigration Department is in the midst of drafting guidelines and procedures on the deportation of foreigners.

A meeting to discuss the draft was held at the Immigration Department on Wednesday by top officials and other relevant stakeholders.

Immigration Department director-general General Kirth Chantharith said an in-depth discussion was held on the draft guidelines, taking into account the foreigners who arrive in Cambodia from all over the world.

The draft guidelines and procedures are on better management of foreigners and immigrants in the country, taking into account the humanitarian aspects and bilateral relationships with their country of origin.

Gen Chantharith said the guidelines and procedures when it comes into force will be enforced uniformly across the country when handling and managing foreigners, including foreign migrants and workers.

“It is also for the armed forces, especially the police, to use them as a standard guideline when dealing with immigrants when relocating them,” he said, adding it will be used as a handbook by all law enforcers when managing foreigners.

Meanwhile, in June Cambodia deported 106 Vietnamese nationals who entered the Kingdom illegally in search mainly of employment and stay.

Of the number, 88 were deported back to Vietnam through the Bavet International Border Checkpoint in Svay Rieng province while another 18 via the Prek Chak International Border Checkpoint in Kampot.

They were deported with the approval from the Immigration director-general and support of the National Police. Representatives from the Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh were also present to ensure the safe deportation of their citizens.

In the first five months of this year, 284 foreigners of 22 nationalities were deported to their countries after they were found to have violated the Cambodian Immigration Law.

Last year, 797 foreigners including 121 women from 40 countries were deported.

Immigration Department spokesman General Keo Vanthan told Khmer Times that although they have enforced strict immigration laws, there are still foreigners entering illegally through the border checkpoint crossings.

Following the Covid-19 outbreak, he said the border police and the army had tightened border checks and each time there is an illegal entry, the person is immediately deported to the country of origin.

Licadho human rights deputy director Am Sam Ath said that when a person enters the country illegally, the person has violated the Immigration Law or the Criminal Code.

From 2014 until now, a total of 18,470 foreigners of 104 nationalities have been deported.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50928474/i ... oreigners/

A move in the right direction. At least now the process will be transparent and documented clearly.

Yeah, i agree OffGridParadisio ^^
There is just one little phrase that makes me a bit sceptical that it will be applied uniformly....

The draft guidelines and procedures are on better management of foreigners and immigrants in the country, taking into account the humanitarian aspects and bilateral relationships with their country of origin.

No need to name the cuntry.

Yup. Agreed.

I'm not counting on it being fair. Some of the guidelines, will definitely be skewed towards the current close friends, and older ASEAN member states and the power brokers of the world. Some of us will lose. But at least we will know how the deep the hole is. Makes for better decision making and planning both ways. Lack of clear information can lead some people to avoid making a decision, which is the worst choice.

On a side note, something I've noticed... the higher ups in the gov, are usually more informed, and some of them do really care. It's the lower ranked people I fear. Now, if the weekend station lance corporal is compelled to refer to this document, then if I'm ever, touch wood, in that situation, I would feel more secure. And he/she would also fear the repercussions of not following the letter, if a complaint were to be filed up the chain.

But, there was a very recent thread about foreign workers being enticed by false pretences of job offers in Sihanoukville. Some of the workers (victims) were apparently people smuggled overland from China. At border crossings it has been said the border guards had been paid off, (hearsay) that's two sets of border guards leaving China and entering Vietnam, then the third and forth to enter Cambodia. Then we are told of more payments for officials too turn a blind eye. Kidnapping extortion, beatings, and maybe killings made to look like suicides, and drugs are involved. I haven't heard of the police doing anything about seeing if there is truth behind the allegations. I was expecting words to come from up the ranks.

I wonder if there is a provision for the deportation of Covid Rule Breakers being caught in a gay bar?

Doc67 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:48 am I wonder if there is a provision for the deportation of Covid Rule Breakers being caught in a gay bar?

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=ht ... gCegQIARA7

A question I ask..... How would the government deport a foreign national, while some nations have had zero flights from Asia to that country since early last year? Examples being Morrocco or Argentina.

Most nations have zero direct flights to Cambodia and use transit hubs - Singapore, South Korea, UAE, Taiwan, etc, and of course mainland China. Impossible to guarantee that a deportee will continue on to the final destination unless escorted.

So assume that these new rules only apply to countries with direct flights to Cambodia.

Primary the spinach dogs invading the Kingdom.

They get chartered flights back, of course.