Cambodia confirms viral African deportation notice is a forgery

Cambodia rejects forged deportation notice

Cambodia's Ministry of Interior confirmed that a viral document ordering all African nationals to leave the country by May 31, 2026 is a forgery, according to a statement issued through the General Department of Immigration on May 28. The ministry said the notice did not originate from any Cambodian government institution and carried fabricated official seals.

The forged text claimed an "immigration waiver" for citizens of Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda and other African states would expire May 31, after which police would arrest overstayers "at any hideout" starting June 1. It threatened a two-year jail term and an $8,000 penalty for those who remained. A ministry spokesperson called the claims "fabricated to distort the situation and mislead domestic and international audiences."

No new deportation policy, enforcement window or nationality-specific crackdown exists, the General Department of Immigration confirmed.

Who the false notice targeted

The fake document specifically named African nationals, but Cambodian authorities stressed that no foreign group has been singled out under current immigration law. Tourists, students, workers, expats, digital nomads and long-term residents from African countries face no blanket removal order.

Standard visa rules continue to apply to every foreigner in Cambodia regardless of nationality. Status depends on the individual visa type, permitted length of stay and compliance with existing overstay rules, not on region of origin.

The episode rattled African expat communities across Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, prompting fact-checks from outlets including Khmer Times, Phnom Penh Post and CamboJA News and a public denial from Ghana's government.

How to verify immigration claims

The General Department of Immigration urged anyone seeing alarming immigration notices online to confirm them through official channels before acting. The agency listed three verification steps:

• Check the official GDI website directly
• Call the official immigration hotline listed on that site
• Ignore unverified documents circulating on social media

Travelers and residents concerned about their status can also contact their home country's embassy in Phnom Penh or consult a licensed Cambodian immigration lawyer. The threatened $8,000 fines and forced departures referenced in the viral notice carry no legal weight.

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