Cambodia may have been added to the UK government’s list of countries you do not have to quarantine for 14 days upon return to the UK after visiting, but the same does not apply to tourists visiting Cambodia. Before planning a visit to the Southeast Asian nation, it is best to discover the current Cambodia Entry Requirements below.
Also, at the moment there are a limited number of flights into the country.
Current Flights to Cambodia
Currently, the main route into Cambodia is transferring through Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea and Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan. As Asia slowly opens up, the country is accepting an increasing number of flights from the region. This includes the Chinese cities of Xiamen, Chengdu, Beijing, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou and Shanghai.
In September, SilkAir resumed flights between Singapore and Phnom Penh for passengers wanting to transit through Changi Airport.
Cambodia Entry Requirements
The entry rules are constantly being updated, but according to latest measures, visitors must have a valid visa and COVID-free health certificate taken within 72 hours of departure. All foreign visitors must leave a $2,000 deposit on arrival.
A mandatory test is administered on arrival in a dedicated camp opposite the airport before passengers are taken to a designated quarantine hotel. New rules introduced in mid-November now mean arrivals must spend 14 days in quarantine. They will only be allowed to leave once the Covid-19 test taken on the 13th day comes back positive. The cost will be deducted from the deposit.
The only exception to this is when travelling under the VAPGI sponsorship, which only applies for short-term business visitors (maximum 14 days). They must do an initial two days quarantine while awaiting test results. Provided no one on the flight tests positive, they can then leave for a stated address and must provide a schedule of plans.
To find out more about how successful Cambodia has been in combatting COVID-19, listen to our Cambodia and the Coronavirus podcast.
Cambodia Visa Requirements
It is worth noting, Cambodia has suspended all tourist visas and issuing any form of Cambodia visa on arrival. All other types of visa must be gained from the Cambodian Embassy in visitors’ countries before flying.
In other words, Cambodia is not yet open to tourism as it continues its fight to keep the country relatively coronavirus-free. However, the Cambodian government’s strategy has so far succeeded to the extent that there has not been a single COVID-19 related death recorded in the country.
For further information on Cambodia Entry Requirements, visit the UK Government’s Travel Advice for Cambodia. For more ideas on what to do in Cambodia, read: 5 Unusual Things to Do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Original article published 5 August, updated 18 November 2020.
