Quick summary
Cambodia’s digital e-Arrival Card became mandatory on September 1, 2024, for all air travelers arriving at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville airports. The free online form replaces paper immigration, health, and customs declarations and must be completed within seven days before arrival at arrival.gov.kh or via the Cambodia e-Arrival app. Travelers receive a QR code to present at immigration alongside their passport.
The requirement applies regardless of visa status or nationality, including visa-exempt travelers and those with pre-approved e-visas. Land border crossings still use paper forms. This article covers submission steps, what information you need, and how the process differs from visa applications.
Cambodia eliminated paper arrival cards at its three international airports eight months ago, replacing them with a digital-only system that catches unprepared travelers in immigration queues. The e-Arrival Card consolidates what were previously three separate paper forms — immigration entry, health declaration, and customs declaration — into a single online submission.
Complete the form before your flight. Tablets exist at airport arrival halls for on-the-spot submissions, but queues form quickly during peak hours when multiple wide-body flights land simultaneously at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
The mandate covers all air arrivals at Phnom Penh (PNH), Siem Reap (REP), and Sihanoukville (KOS) airports. Tourists, business travelers, expats, and Cambodian nationals all submit. If you cross into Cambodia by land from Thailand, Laos, or Vietnam, paper forms remain in use at border checkpoints.
How the e-Arrival Card works
Access the system at arrival.gov.kh or download the Cambodia e-Arrival app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. The form accepts submissions up to seven days before arrival. Earlier submissions are rejected.
You will upload a passport photo and enter personal details: full name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number and expiry date. Flight information includes airline, flight number, and arrival date. The system asks for your accommodation address in Cambodia and the duration of your stay.
The health declaration section covers whether you are bringing food, plants, animals, or agricultural products. The customs section asks if you are carrying more than USD 10,000 in cash or equivalent currency. Answer accurately — false declarations carry penalties at immigration.
If you need a visa, the form integrates visa-on-arrival applications. Upload an existing e-visa PDF or select the on-arrival option to pay USD 30 by card at the airport immigration counter. US, Canadian, European, Australian, and New Zealand passport holders require a visa for Cambodia unless traveling on diplomatic or official passports.
After submission, you receive a QR code via email or in-app. Present this QR code — digitally on your phone or printed — at the immigration desk alongside your passport. Officers scan the code, verify your details, and email a v-Pass confirmation. Keep this email for the duration of your stay, as it may be required for visa extensions or departure.
Passport validity matters
Cambodia requires passports valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. Airlines check this at check-in and may deny boarding if your passport expires within the six-month window, even if your stay is only a few days. Renew before booking flights to Cambodia from North America if your expiry date falls close.
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What changed and what stayed the same
Before September 2024, passengers filled out three separate paper cards distributed on flights or at arrival halls: an immigration form, a health questionnaire, and a customs declaration. Officers collected these at multiple checkpoints, creating bottlenecks during high-traffic periods.
The digital system consolidates all three into one submission. The QR code replaces physical paperwork, and the v-Pass email serves as your digital record. Some airlines still distribute paper forms on flights as of late 2024, but immigration officers will not accept them at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville.
Visa rules remain unchanged. The e-Arrival Card is not a visa. Travelers from visa-exempt countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines still complete the e-Arrival Card even though they do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days. Everyone else applies for an e-visa in advance at evisa.gov.kh (USD 36, three-day processing) or selects visa-on-arrival within the e-Arrival form.
Land and sea borders operate separately. If you enter Cambodia overland from Thailand at Poipet or from Vietnam at Bavet, you use paper forms at the checkpoint. No e-Arrival submission is required. The digital system applies exclusively to air arrivals. Similar customs declaration requirements exist across Asia — New Zealand fines travelers NZD 400 for undeclared fruit, and enforcement is strict.
What to do before your flight
Submit 2-7 days before departure. Log in to arrival.gov.kh or open the app. Have your passport, flight booking confirmation, and hotel address ready. Upload a clear passport photo — blurry images cause rejections.
Save your QR code. Email it to yourself and take a screenshot. Print a backup copy if you prefer. Immigration officers accept digital or printed versions, but phone batteries die and email apps fail to load in airport Wi-Fi dead zones.
Check passport validity. Confirm your passport does not expire within six months of your arrival date. Airlines deny boarding if it does, regardless of your actual stay length.
Handle visas separately if needed. If you are not visa-exempt, apply for an e-visa at evisa.gov.kh before submitting the e-Arrival Card, then upload the e-visa PDF during the e-Arrival process. Alternatively, select visa-on-arrival in the form and pay USD 30 at the airport immigration counter by card.
Questions? Answers.
Does the e-Arrival Card replace my visa?
No. The e-Arrival Card is a separate immigration and customs declaration form required for all air travelers. If you need a visa, you must either apply for an e-visa in advance at evisa.gov.kh or select visa-on-arrival within the e-Arrival form and pay USD 30 at the airport. Visa-exempt travelers like Singaporeans still complete the e-Arrival Card for health and customs declarations.
What happens if I arrive by land from Thailand, Laos, or Vietnam?
Land border crossings do not use the e-Arrival system. You fill out paper immigration, health, and customs forms at the checkpoint. If you require a visa, apply for an e-visa online before traveling to avoid queues at the border, as visa-on-arrival processing at land crossings is slower than at airports.
Can I submit one e-Arrival Card for my family or group?
Yes. The app and website support group submissions. Enter each traveler’s details separately within the same submission. You receive one QR code covering all members, but each person’s passport details must match exactly what you entered. Officers verify each passport individually at immigration.
What if I forget to complete the form before my flight?
Tablets are available at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville arrival halls for on-the-spot submissions. Expect delays during peak hours when multiple flights land simultaneously. Completing the form before departure eliminates this risk. The seven-day submission window gives you ample time to prepare.
Do I need internet access to show my QR code at immigration?
No. Once you receive the QR code via email or app, save it offline as a screenshot or PDF. Immigration officers scan the code from your phone screen or a printed copy. Airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable, so prepare offline access before landing.
