Cambodia Ordinary Visa – Types, Application and Fees
Cambodia Ordinary Visa is one of the most popular visas you can obtain if you want to visit Cambodia. This is because it is an umbrella visa for different visa types and a preference for foreign nationals who plan to stay longer in the country.
Cambodia is a developing country trying to escape the devastation of the 1975 – 1979 genocide, which almost destroyed the country. Looking at Cambodia now, you would hardly believe the transformation that has taken place, as modernization has restored the country’s past glory. Now that Cambodia is on the road to rediscovery, this may be the right time to visit.
Getting a visa to Cambodia is easy because it’s probably just the Cambodia Ordinary Visa you’d need. All you need to do is learn about the types of Cambodia Ordinary Visa, Applications, and fees. But, first, let’s talk about Cambodia.
About Cambodia
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country with a population of about 17 million people. The country is located on the Indochinese mainland and shares borders with Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. It is a predominantly Buddhist nation whose official language is Khmer.
About the Cambodia Ordinary Visa
A Cambodia Ordinary Visa is a permit obtained by foreign nationals to enter and stay in the country for 30 days, with the opportunity to extend their stay for a long time, almost permanently. It is different from a tourist visa because whereas you cannot extend your stay with a tourist visa, you can do so with an ordinary visa. However, you must enter Cambodia with an ordinary visa before applying for an extension. The Ordinary Visa is otherwise called the E-class visa.
Categories of Cambodia Ordinary Visa
Cambodia Ordinary Visa is divided into the single entry and multiple entry categories.
Cambodia Single-Entry Category
This visa extension is one and three months for visitors who intend to stay in the country for a short time. With the single-entry category, your visa extension ends when you leave the country.
Cambodia Multiple-Entry Category
People who apply for this type of extension are visitors who intend to stay for as long as six or twelve months. With this visa extension, they can leave and enter Cambodia as often as they like and will only need to renew the extension at the end of 12 months without having to obtain another visa.
The Cambodia Ordinary Visa categories are better explained with the types of Cambodia Ordinary Visa extensions.
Types of Cambodia Ordinary Visa
The Cambodia Ordinary Visa is divided into four types:
The EB ordinary visa extension
This ordinary visa extension type is preferred by foreign nationals who intend to work in Cambodia for more than a year or those who want to conduct business in Cambodia. Freelancers and volunteers also go for this visa type. The EB visa can be extended for 12 months with multiple entries.
- The EB visa holder can apply to invite their partners and children, although the dependants cannot work.
- The EB visa is not a work permit. The visa alone cannot permit you to work in Cambodia. You must obtain a work permit and EB visa to work legally in Cambodia.
- The holder of this visa type must provide a stamped verification letter from a Cambodian company stating that the applicant is their employee.
- The dependants of the visa holder must submit his employment letter as proof that the company supports the application.
- The dependants must include their passport details
- The dependants must consist of proof of relationship with the foreign national living in Cambodia
- If you are self-employed with a registered business, write a letter confirming your employment status. The letter must be stamped with a business stamp.
The EG ordinary visa extension
This visa type is for those who are not yet employed but are actively searching. This visa type gives you a maximum extension of six months, and while you can renew it after the first extension, you may not be able to renew it more than once. This is because the EG visa is for people who are new to the country. It is expected that after the first extension, your status may have changed, and you would be eligible for longer extensions. You can get an EB visa after an EG extension, but you cannot get an EG visa after an EB visa extension.
ER ordinary visa extension
This is Cambodia’s version of a retirement visa. Foreign nationals of retirement age who can prove that they are retired in their home country can apply for this visa extension. Proof can be their pension, social security, and funds to support themselves. The ER visa extension does not permit its holder to seek employment. Therefore its holder is not entitled to a work permit. In addition, the visa extension can be issued for as long as 12 months.
ES ordinary visa extension
Students can apply for this type of visa extension. International students seeking admission into any of Cambodia’s universities must provide evidence of sufficient funds. As soon as they secure admission, they must provide a letter from the Cambodian institution of learning to get the ES visa. This visa extension can be issued for as long as 12 months and is renewable for the duration of the student’s time in school.
Requirements for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa
You must provide the following requirements for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa, depending on the ordinary visa extension you want to apply for:
1. Health Insurance
2. Letter of Invitation or any other document required by the embassy
3. Passport that is valid for more than six months after entry into Cambodia
4. Recent passport-size photograph
5. Proof of funds
Please note that when you arrive in Cambodia, you must provide additional documents depending on the visa extension type to request for visa extension. The documents can be an employment letter, admission letter, work contract, e.t.c. You must also have a valid credit card.
If you want to invite your family as an employee of a Cambodian organization, you must provide a marriage and birth certificate if you have children. Also, your organization must endorse your invitation by providing your employment letter to prove that you work with them.
If you want to retire in Cambodia, you must be at least 55 years and will not be allowed to work.
Who can apply for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa?
There are only ten countries whose nationals do not require a Cambodia Ordinary Visa to visit the country. Other countries, besides those listed here, must obtain a visa to Cambodia.
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Philipines
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Brunei
- Indonesia
- Myanmar
- Darussalam
How to apply for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa
To apply for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa, visit the nearest embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Find out more about the requirements from the embassy. Additional requirements may be needed. Once you have the required documents, you can submit them to the embassy in person or by mail. Please ask for specific details. After submission, all you can do is go home and wait to receive a response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you apply online for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa?
You cannot apply for the Cambodia Ordinary Visa online. Instead, you must contact the Cambodian embassy in your country of residence to apply.
Is the Cambodia Ordinary Visa the same as a Cambodia Tourist Visa?
No. The Cambodia Ordinary Visa is different from the Cambodia Tourist Visa because you can extend an Ordinary Visa, but you cannot extend a Tourist Visa. Once it is 30 days, you must exit Cambodia if you have a tourist visa.
What is the processing time for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa?
The processing time for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa is three working days. However, it may take longer if additional documents are required.
What is the fee for a Cambodia Ordinary Visa?
A Cambodia Ordinary Visa is a single entry visa. The processing fee is USD 35
When is the best time to visit Cambodia?
The best time to visit Cambodia is from November to February. This is because the rain usually stops in early November. Tropical fruits are at their peak from March to May, though the end of March is quite hot. The rain is heavy in June but will increase in August and September until it gradually eases off.
Conclusion
What makes Cambodia’s Ordinary Visa not so ordinary? Hopefully, you can now answer that question.
Exploring Cambodia is taking a journey full of surprises because the country has its unique character. With an Ordinary Visa, you have the opportunity to stay in Cambodia for as long as you like, maybe visit the vast monuments that make the country famous. Cambodia is a safe place with an exciting history and an easy life. You’ve got to visit Cambodia. Get an ordinary visa today.
Here’s a list of Cambodian Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
