Phnom Penh has approved a four-month visa-free trial allowing Chinese tourists to enter Cambodia between 15 June and 15 October 2026 for stays of up to 14 days, provided they complete a simple e-arrival card. The scheme, announced on 3 December, forms part of the "China–Cambodia Tourism Year" programme and aims to deepen people-to-people ties ahead of the 2026 peak season.
Chinese visitors already account for more than 20 % of Cambodia’s foreign arrivals; officials expect the waiver to lift numbers beyond the one-million mark and accelerate post-pandemic tourism recovery, particularly for Angkor Wat, coastal resorts and emerging eco-destinations.
![Cambodia to Pilot Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists in 2026]()
For Chinese outbound travellers the pilot eliminates US $30 in visa fees and two-day processing times, making Cambodia more competitive against Thailand and Vietnam, which have recently upgraded their own visa-on-arrival offerings. Tour operators anticipate bundled Cambodia–Vietnam itineraries to gain traction once the waiver begins.
The Cambodian government has instructed its Foreign Ministry to negotiate reciprocal facilitation for Cambodian citizens visiting China—a move that could further expand two-way mobility for students, investors and skilled workers.
Travel-programme managers should flag the future dates, as bookings for June–October 2026 product cycles will open early next year. They should also remind staff that work activities remain prohibited under the tourism waiver and that overstays incur fines of US $10 per day.
Chinese visitors already account for more than 20 % of Cambodia’s foreign arrivals; officials expect the waiver to lift numbers beyond the one-million mark and accelerate post-pandemic tourism recovery, particularly for Angkor Wat, coastal resorts and emerging eco-destinations.
For Chinese outbound travellers the pilot eliminates US $30 in visa fees and two-day processing times, making Cambodia more competitive against Thailand and Vietnam, which have recently upgraded their own visa-on-arrival offerings. Tour operators anticipate bundled Cambodia–Vietnam itineraries to gain traction once the waiver begins.
The Cambodian government has instructed its Foreign Ministry to negotiate reciprocal facilitation for Cambodian citizens visiting China—a move that could further expand two-way mobility for students, investors and skilled workers.
Travel-programme managers should flag the future dates, as bookings for June–October 2026 product cycles will open early next year. They should also remind staff that work activities remain prohibited under the tourism waiver and that overstays incur fines of US $10 per day.
