Cambodia to trial 14-day visa-free entry for Chinese

December 3, 2025|Joshua

Cambodia will trial a 14-day visa-free entry for Chinese citizens traveling directly from China from 15 June to 15 October 2026 to boost tourism and business travel, allowing multiple entries without visa fees during the pilot period.

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The Royal Government of Cambodia has approved a four month trial of visa-free entry for Chinese citizens traveling from China, offering 14 day stays between 15 June and 15 October 2026. The move is intended to boost tourism and business travel from one of Cambodia’s largest visitor markets.

What Cambodia has announced

According to an official letter from Cambodia’s Council of Ministers reported on 3 December 2025, the government has agreed in principle to waive visas for Chinese citizens for a limited period in 2026. During the trial:

Chinese citizens travelling from China will be allowed to enter Cambodia without applying for a visa in advance or on arrival.
Each entry will permit a stay of up to 14 days.
No government visa fee will be charged.
Travelers will still need to complete an electronic arrival card.
Multiple entries will be allowed within the trial window.

The letter also authorises Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to negotiate with the Chinese government on simplifying visas for Cambodian citizens, with the longer term goal of a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement.

Who can use the visa exemption

The trial visa exemption is targeted specifically at:

Holders of Chinese passports.
Travellers who are arriving from China.

Key points to bear in mind:

The measure has been announced as a general visa exemption, not restricted only to tourists, although tourism is expected to be the main use. Business travellers and investors are also expected to benefit.
Details on whether the scheme will apply to all types of Chinese passports (ordinary, official, diplomatic) have not yet been clarified in publicly available guidance. In practice, most visitors are likely to hold ordinary passports.
The requirement to travel from China suggests that Chinese citizens flying in from third countries may not be covered and may still need a visa under the usual rules, unless further guidance says otherwise.

Travellers should check the precise eligibility conditions closer to departure, once implementing instructions are published.

Trial period and length of stay

The visa exemption is planned to run for a fixed four month period:

Start date: 15 June 2026
End date: 15 October 2026

Within this window:

Each entry will allow a maximum stay of 14 days.
Multiple entries will be permitted, as long as each stay does not exceed 14 days and the entry occurs before the end of the trial period.

There is currently no confirmation that the policy will continue beyond 15 October 2026. The government is expected to review the results of the trial before deciding whether to extend, modify or end the scheme.

Relationship with existing visa rules

At present, ordinary Chinese passport holders generally require a visa to enter Cambodia, either through:

An eVisa obtained online.
A visa on arrival at designated airports and land borders.
A visa issued by a Cambodian embassy or consulate.

Existing visa exemption arrangements mainly apply to holders of diplomatic or official passports, who can visit visa free for up to 30 days under bilateral agreements.

The 2026 trial therefore marks a significant temporary relaxation for ordinary Chinese travellers, who for four months will be able to enter without any visa application or visa fee when travelling from China, provided they respect the 14 day stay limit.

Outside the trial period, or if a traveller does not meet the scheme’s conditions, the usual visa rules will continue to apply.

Entry formalities during the trial

Although a visa will not be required during the pilot period for eligible travellers, standard Cambodian entry formalities are expected to remain in place.

Passport validity

Travellers should ensure that:

Their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Cambodia.
The passport is undamaged and has blank pages available for entry and exit stamps.

These are standard entry conditions applied by Cambodian border officials and airlines.

Electronic arrival card

Cambodia has introduced a mandatory electronic arrival card system, known as the e-Arrival card. Under current practice:

All travellers entering Cambodia by air are required to complete the e-Arrival card, usually within seven days before arrival.
The system replaces paper immigration, customs and health forms.
After completing the form online or via the official mobile app, travellers receive a QR code to present on arrival.

For the 2026 visa exemption trial, the government has indicated that Chinese visitors will simply need to complete this electronic arrival card instead of a visa form. Travellers should:

Complete the e-Arrival card before departure where possible.
Keep a digital or printed copy of the QR code easily accessible for inspection at immigration.

Other expected requirements

While the trial removes the need for a visa, border officials may still check that visitors:

Intend to stay no longer than 14 days per entry.
Have proof of onward or return travel.
Have sufficient funds and accommodation bookings for their stay.
Comply with any public health measures in force at the time of travel.

As with any visa free entry, final admission to Cambodia remains at the discretion of border officers.

Airports and entry points

Cambodia handles most international arrivals at three main airports:

Techo International Airport, serving Phnom Penh.
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.
Sihanoukville International Airport.

The trial policy announcement does not specify whether it is limited to air arrivals from China or will also apply at land and sea borders. In practice, most Chinese visitors are expected to enter by air on direct or connecting flights from Chinese cities. Clarifying guidance from Cambodian authorities and airlines is likely to be issued closer to June 2026.

What if you want to stay longer or are not covered

The visa exemption allows only short visits of up to 14 days at a time. Chinese citizens who:

Plan to stay longer than 14 days,
Intend to work, study or reside in Cambodia, or
Travel to Cambodia from outside China,

are likely to still need an appropriate visa.

Options under current rules include:

Tourist or business eVisas obtained online before travel.
Visas on arrival at eligible entry points.
Longer term visas applied for through Cambodian embassies or consulates.

Because visa policy can change and the 2026 trial is new, travellers should check updated guidance from Cambodian authorities or airlines before making firm plans.

Possible future reciprocity with China

In the same decision authorising the trial, the Cambodian government has instructed its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to negotiate with China on easing visa procedures for Cambodian citizens visiting China. The stated goal is to work toward reciprocal visa exemptions in the future. Any such changes would be subject to separate agreements and announcements by both governments. For now, Cambodian citizens still need a visa to visit China, although recent policy changes have reduced some visa fees and introduced more convenient long term visas for certain business travellers.

Practical tips for Chinese travellers planning 2026 trips

For Chinese citizens considering a trip to Cambodia during the 2026 trial period:

Plan travel dates carefully so that both entry and intended departure fall within 15 June and 15 October 2026, with no single stay longer than 14 days.
Monitor official announcements in the months before June 2026 for any detailed implementation rules, including confirmation of eligible ports of entry and any transit restrictions.
Complete the Cambodia e-Arrival card in advance and keep the QR code handy for inspection at immigration.
Make sure your passport has at least six months validity beyond your arrival date and is in good condition.
Carry copies of your return or onward ticket and hotel bookings, even though they may not be checked in every case.
If you plan to combine Cambodia with visits to neighbouring countries before or after the trial period, check whether you will need a visa for any additional entries to Cambodia.

The 2026 visa exemption trial offers a simplified way for many Chinese travellers to experience destinations such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. However, because this is a time limited pilot, travellers should stay informed and be prepared to adjust their plans if policy details change before implementation.