The Small Print in Cambodia's New 60 Day Maximum Stay Rule
Cambodia has implemented significant rule changes including a reduction in visa fees and the termination of automatic extensions for tourist visas. Expats and digital nomads must now navigate stricter renewal requirements for long-term stays under the updated 2025-2026 framework.
The Small Print in Cambodia's New 60 Day Maximum Stay Rule
Cambodia's Type-T tourist visa doesn't auto-extend anymore and that's a real problem if you've been coasting on easy renewals. The change took effect November 3, 2025 , automatic extensions are gone, replaced by a single manual extension capped at 30 days, meaning your total stay maxes out at 60 days per entry.
The e-visa fee did, honestly, get cheaper: Type-T dropped from $36 to $30 and the Type-E Ordinary visa fell from $42 to $35, both effective January 1, 2025. Small comfort, turns out, when the extension process got harder at the same time.
Who this hits hardest:
- Tourists on short trips won't feel much , 30 days is fine, the one manual extension is doable
- Digital nomads and expats who relied on rolling Type-T extensions for long stays are, frankly, out of options under that visa category
- Anyone entering by air also needs an e-Arrival Card submitted at least 7 days before landing, which is easy to miss
The manual extension costs $45,$50 and requires an in-person visit to immigration offices in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap , there's no online option, no workaround.
Long-term residents and nomads need to switch to a Type-E visa, which supports extensions of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months and can be renewed repeatedly. It's more paperwork , expect to show proof of funds or purpose and possibly an invitation letter , but it's the only real path to staying beyond 60 days. No dedicated digital nomad visa exists in Cambodia, so Type-E is your best bet.
Practical steps:
- Apply for the e-visa at Cambodia's official e-visa portal (3-day processing)
- Budget $45,$50 cash if you need the one-time Type-T extension
- Passport must be valid 6+ months with at least one blank page, plus an onward ticket
- Work requires separate permits , Type-E alone doesn't cover it
One more thing worth knowing: Cambodia is trialing visa-free entry for Chinese citizens (14 days) from June 15 through October 15, 2026, signaling the country is still actively courting tourism even as it tightens tourist visa rules.
Check our full Cambodia guide for the complete picture on visas, costs and what's changed in the latest round of visa updates.