African Nationals in Cambodia Told to Leave by 31 May

Cambodia has told African nationals to leave the country by 31 May 2026 as a visa waiver comes to an end.

The directive was issued in a circular from the General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior. 

It applies to citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and other African countries currently in Cambodia under the waiver.

The notice, signed by Lt Gen Som Sopheak, Director-General of the General Department of Immigration, and approved by Gen Sar Sokha, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Interior, states that all affected nationals must depart on or before 31 May 2026.

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From 1 June 2026, anyone found in Cambodia without valid status will be arrested, the circular said. 

Those arrested face a jail term of up to two years and a fine of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) before being allowed to leave.

Cambodian police will begin arresting foreigners found at any location for overstaying from 1 June 2026 and will hand them to immigration authorities for legal action, the notice added.

"All concerned are hereby informed to strictly comply with this notice. The Royal Government of Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws," it said.