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Hi,

I am a regular reader of CEO (Facebook & board) but first speech as member. Yes, as you guess, I need help, I confess.

I just stay in Cambodia (Phnom Penh) for a little more of 2 whole years. Because I am lucky, my visa anniversary come all time (now) at the crack down season for visas.

Last year, I think I was one of the first hearing from travel agencies that immigration set up such categories of visa : EB (business), ES (student), ER (retirement)...

Aw! Just savored the crack down for Thailand visas in the neighbor country. The nightmare repeats.

I get myself to the immigration head quarter (near the airport) to realize its a small office with... nothing and ask them : I don't work in Cambodia, I have some rent in my country and some shares in a company in my country. Which visa feet to me now ?

For your information, I am not rich at all, but I definitely get enough to stay here in a 350$/month khmer appartement visiting the country with couple of days trips.

The immigration officer answer late September 2016 : we start to clear the illegal workers only, no worry, go to World Pop Travel agency near the Central Market and ask for student visa. After, you can extend 10 years, sure ! It's the best choice for you;

Waw! I was feeling so comfortable with this answer. I did that! I spend 1 year with an ES visa in the pocket feeling on the right side (the immigration officer said).

- 1 year later - late September 2017 -

So, this year, trouble again.

Last week, I been in World Pop Travel agency with a big smile and 290$ in hand : I come for the extension of my visa. Same visa than last year. Just extend. Same same! You want same visa ? YES same! Ok no problem. I forget I need 1 photo ? No no, don't worry, no photo, just 290$. OK. Here, your receipt sir, see you next week. Thank you very much! See you next week.

This morning, I been there. Your passeport sir. Checked and the drama started...

The visa show a big EB on the left!

Hum sorry, there is a mistake. I ask extension of my ES visa, same last year, remember ?

Ah ah ah (the lady behind the office).

Hum, not correct. I cannot get a work permit for this. No job. No company. In few weeks, police come at my registered address, what can I do with an EB visa ?

OK. You want I change ? (the lady, not sorry at all for the mistake)

Hum. Yes, sure. Please.

Ok ok, come back next week. (was feeling this lady talk like a thai immigration officer... but I'm a natural worry)

So... Ow, ok, just small mistake... I'm used to think that it's not big consequences in Cambodia, just talking quiet, waiting a bit, asking again or something, pay a small fee and the problem is solved.

But, the lady of the agency just call me now : sir, you want change your EB visa to an ES visa. Since the 2 October** you must have a letter from your school to have ES visa.
** (I come for my extension in September, thanks for the mistake, voluntary ?)

But, no school. However, what I have : I just renew my Internet contract and apartment for 1 year.

Is the fact that people under 50 years old (not ER), without job (not EB) and not attend to a school (no letter) cannot stay now in this developing country that is Cambodia ?

A bit of spicy for my issue, sure, be refunded of my 290$ to get a 6 month visa (such "looking for job") or something like that is unrealistic.



Thanks!

youve got the visa now, so i wouldnt worry, next year you might have more problems though lol

Ah ah lol. You know, I like to follow the rules. Be worry all year long is not my taste. I am ok to manage leaving Cambodia for 6 months for a neighbor country and staying around like a tourist (go and back).

Now regardless of me, I am in the setting of cheaters with an "E" "Business" without working. I know that so many people do that but it makes me nervous.

The thing boring is I'am surprised; no delay to think and move. I cannot planned anything for what ? A "Visa Consultant" lady who cannot properly copy 2 characters on a piece of paper ?

If I read you, I guess now I have to deal with an EB visa for 1 year, being aware of the policemans who can visit me randomly to discuss a bit ? And, later in the futur, if I want to work in Cambodia, paying retroactive fees for the WorkPermits I never ask before. For what again ? 2 letters not copied properly on time because of a lady more focus on playing Facebook through her iPhone than doing the job that she is paying for.

I like to ask the officials "what you want I do ?". If the answer is clearly "leave", I do. No problem. Just, now, I feel not lucky my extension dead line makes a bridge to the moment when they change rules (definitely/temporarily?), each years T_T

My last chance is to ask changing my EB 1y to an EG of 6 months. We will see. I will let you follow what happen.

onico wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2017 3:13 am Ah ah lol. You know, I like to follow the rules. Be worry all year long is not my taste. I am ok to manage leaving Cambodia for 6 months for a neighbor country and staying around like a tourist (go and back).

Now regardless of me, I am in the setting of cheaters with an "E" "Business" without working. I know that so many people do that but it makes me nervous.

The thing boring is I'am surprised; no delay to think and move. I cannot planned anything for what ? A "Visa Consultant" lady who cannot properly copy 2 characters on a piece of paper ?

If I read you, I guess now I have to deal with an EB visa for 1 year, being aware of the policemans who can visit me randomly to discuss a bit ? And, later in the futur, if I want to work in Cambodia, paying retroactive fees for the WorkPermits I never ask before. For what again ? 2 letters not copied properly on time because of a lady more focus on playing Facebook through her iPhone than doing the job that she is paying for.

I like to ask the officials "what you want I do ?". If the answer is clearly "leave", I do. No problem. Just, now, I feel not lucky my extension dead line makes a bridge to the moment when they change rules (definitely/temporarily?), each years T_T

My last chance is to ask changing my EB 1y to an EG of 6 months. We will see. I will let you follow what happen.

but you was on a Student visa without being a student,
this also is not the correct visa,
if the police come knocking it wouldnt make a difference, whether you can prove you are not working or you can prove you are actually a student,
the government is getting strict with the visas now
your student visa was just another loophole they are trying to iron out
the EG visa would likely be your best bet now

an extended tourist visa would be nice which you have to show current bank statements to prove you have funds to support yourself, if life was that simple

I was waiting for this answer from you. The difference is that's the officer in the immigration office who tell me "take the ES ! the best for you".
Currently, there is no report yet** of officer control these visa owners (ES).
**Coz we know the law only with Internet, Facebook and unofficial sources in this county.

But, I agree for the "student visa" and I confirm, I absolutely do not want to learn anything in Cambodia ! Just try to understand how it works here (or works before in the past).

It happen something now, sure, but it's difficult to understand what ?
* They want show something political/national/international ?
* They want clear some foreigners / westerns included ?
* They want illegal workers report their incomes for taxes ?
Who know ? (serious question)
Cannot sleep, so, waiting to call immigration office early this morning to ask them (will see & share).

If the answer is : "in your situation (understand : bring money to Cambodia without asking anything, just sun and smiling people), yes you have to leave and not be long term here", I will do for sure. Who like to stay somewhere you are not welcome ? I am just confused about so many foreigners (from exotical countries or even western) who clearly stay here with a worth status of me owning mobile pharmacies or being good customers for that one. Just looked in the street sorry.
Do not hesitate to give me your opinion on this I am still a here.

And, hum, sorry... EG 6 months is multiple entry or single ? You know ? Cannot find the information. Thanks!

onico wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:14 am And, hum, sorry... EG 6 months is multiple entry or single ? You know ? Cannot find the information. Thanks!

not really sure tbh, the EG visa hasnt been all that common, ive not known or seen one yet
the student visa also the form needed needs to prove that you are enrolled at the school for the whole duration of the visa

Thank you. So. I will be happy to give some updates about this if I can survive

onico wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:24 am Thank you. So. I will be happy to give some updates about this if I can survive

yeah please do, i will be back in a couple of weeks so i will also have to go through the process of my visa extension

Given my calls.
So... cannot reach the immigration department which open at this time normally ?
Anyway, I call the travel agency... Now the lady apologized and say sorry a lot => in Cambodian, the time seems to help ^_^ and they guarantee me that's the best way is to keep the Business visa (EB) for one year. The police can come my door (they say sorry), I just need to say that there was a mistake with my last ES visa but, promise, next time, I change for EG (if still available )... then, it will be ok. I want believe.
But sure, I will not sleep on this visa like last year and I will follow closed these discussions.
Thanks again for your support !