eVisa
Tourist
Validity
30 days
- Processing
- 3–5 business days
- Total cost
- €55 (US$59)
Do French citizens need a visa for Cambodia?
Yes, French citizens need a visa for Cambodia, but most travellers can get one online as an e-visa before flying.
eVisa
Business trip
Validity
30 days
- Processing
- 3–5 business days
- Total cost
- €60 (US$64)
Pre-checkedReviewed
Expert check before submission
3–5 business days
Processing time
+21k21K+
Applications processed
Available now24/7
Expert human assistance
Cambodia Visa for French Citizens: e-Visa & Entry Rules
- Visa required · e-Visa
- Apply up to 90 days before arrival
- Decision in 3–5 business days
- Verified
Plusvisa is a private visa application service, not a government agency or embassy. Official government source: Cambodia e-Visa (evisa.gov.kh), evisa.gov.kh.
Table of contents
Passport validity
6 months past visa end date
French foreign ministry asks for validity beyond the visa's end date, not just the arrival date.
Cambodian origin
Free K visa available
For French citizens with at least one Cambodian parent, via the Cambodian embassy in Paris or on arrival.
Payment on arrival
Bring clean US dollars
Card payment is not always available at airports or land borders.
Three routes into Cambodia
Most people
e-Visa
Apply online at the official evisa.gov.kh portal before you fly. It covers tourist (T) and business (E) trips and avoids an embassy visit.
At the border
Visa on arrival
Available at Cambodia's three international airports and at a few open land borders with Laos and Vietnam. Paid in cash in US dollars.
Cambodian origin
K visa
French citizens with a Cambodian parent can get this free, permanent visa, from the Cambodian embassy in Paris or on arrival, with proof of parentage.
Cambodia e-Visa types and cost for French citizens, in Euros
| e-Visa | Validity | Processing | Government fee | All-in with Plusvisa* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tourist eVisa | 30 days | 3–5 business days | US$30 ≈ €28 | ≈ €55 |
Business trip eVisa | 30 days | 3–5 business days | US$35 ≈ €33 | ≈ €60 |
* The government fee is the government's own charge, never refundable. All-in adds Plusvisa's service fee, per traveller; it is refunded if we cause a refusal.
The 30-day rule, and what it does not mean
A tourist (T) e-visa or visa on arrival allows a single 30-day stay, which can be extended once for a further 30 days. A business (E) visa can be extended for much longer, but does not itself allow work.
Tourist: 30 days per visit.
Arrive 1 March
21 of 30 days
1 Mar – 21 Mar: 21 of the 30 days this visa allows in one visit.
Tourist (T) visa: Gives 30 days per entry. Extend once for 30 more days at Cambodia's immigration department, opposite Phnom Penh airport.
Business (E) visa: Can be extended up to 1 year. Holders still need a separate work permit before they can legally work.
Overstaying: A daily fine applies, paid in cash when you leave. Overstaying more than 30 days means you must leave within 7 days of paying the fine. Longer overstays can lead to a slower deportation process.
K visa (Cambodian origin): Free and permanent for French citizens with a Cambodian parent. It does not follow the 30-day tourist rule.
Your document checklist
Seven things to have ready before you start your application, as a French applicant.
Passport
Valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with one blank page. French guidance adds: keep it valid 6 months past your visa's end date too, for longer trips.
Passport-style photo
A recent colour photo, uploaded as JPEG or PNG for the e-visa, or a printed copy for visa on arrival and embassy applications.
Onward or return ticket
A return or onward flight ticket can be requested at the border or by an embassy.
Accommodation details
A hotel booking or host address, sometimes asked for at check-in or by an embassy.
Only for some visa types
Visa application form
Only if Applying by e-visa or at an embassy. Completed online for the e-visa, or the paper form signed and submitted with a photo for an embassy visa.US dollars in cash
Only if Visa on arrival or payments at land borders. Bring clean, undamaged US dollar notes. Card payment is not always available at land borders or for the visa on arrival.Proof of Cambodian parentage
Only if Applicants for the free K visa. Full copy of your birth certificate, your Cambodian parent's birth certificate, and proof of their Cambodian nationality (passport or ID card).
When should you apply?
Processing takes 3–5 business days. Enter your arrival date and we'll work backwards.
Processing
Standard3–5 business days
Pick your arrival date
- 1
Apply online
—
Form and uploads, about 30 min
- 2
Pay the fee
—
By card, on the portal
- 3
Processing
3–5 business days
Official estimate
- 4
Approval emailed
—
Keep a copy on your phone
- 5
Arrive in Cambodia
—
Show the approval at the border
The e-visa is valid 3 months from issue to enter, so applying much earlier risks it expiring. Apply at least a week ahead for processing and resubmission time.
Four questions, 20 seconds
Is your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end date of the visa you are requesting?
Will you enter through one of Cambodia's international airports or an open land border that accepts the e-visa?
Are you travelling for tourism or ordinary business, not for work, study or long-term residence?
Can you pay the visa fee online by card or, for visa on arrival, in cash US dollars?
Result
Answer all four
Four quick checks of the rules that most often catch travellers out, and we'll tell you where you stand.
The application, step by step
Before you apply
- 1
Check your passport validity
Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity left beyond the end date of the visa you plan to request, and a blank page.
- 2
Decide between e-visa and visa on arrival
Both suit most French travellers. The e-visa is applied for online ahead of time; visa on arrival is paid in cash at the airport or an open land border.
On the official portal
- 3
Apply on evisa.gov.kh
Fill in the online form, upload your photo and passport bio page, and pay by card.
- 4
Download your e-visa
Once approved, usually in around 3 working days, download and print the PDF to carry alongside your passport.
After you apply
- 5
Complete the Cambodia e-Arrival form
Fill in the free e-Arrival form no more than 7 days before you land, and keep its QR code.
- 6
Show your documents at immigration
Present your passport, printed e-visa or visa-on-arrival payment, and your e-Arrival QR code to the immigration officer.
Bring clean US dollar notes in case card payment is unavailable at your entry point.
Official website: evisa.gov.kh (opens in a new tab)
Questions French travellers actually ask
Yes. Visa on arrival is available at Cambodia's three international airports and at a few open land borders, paid in cash in US dollars. The e-visa does the same job but is arranged online before you fly.
French citizens with at least one Cambodian parent can get a free, permanent K visa. Apply at the Cambodian embassy in Paris or on arrival, with your full birth certificate, your parent's birth certificate, and proof of their Cambodian nationality.
No. Cambodian visas come from Cambodian authorities: the e-visa portal, a Cambodian embassy, or immigration at the border. The French embassy cannot issue or extend them.
French government guidance asks for passport validity of at least 6 months beyond the end date of the visa you request, which can be later than your arrival date if your visa or trip runs for several weeks.
The e-visa is paid online by card. Visa on arrival and some land border crossings are cash only, in US dollars, and officers can refuse worn or damaged notes.
Yes. The e-Arrival form is a separate, free immigration, health and customs declaration. Every traveller, including those with a visa, must submit it within 7 days of arrival.
Not currently. Land crossings with Thailand are closed because of an ongoing border dispute. Use an international airport, or the open crossings with Laos or Vietnam instead.
Visa sorted
The things that make the first
48 hours easy, compared with home
Your French plug fits. Here's what to expect.
Type A
Two flat pins
Type C
Two round pins · 2.5 A
Type G
Three flat pins · 13 A
Type C
Type C is used both at home and in Cambodia, so your own plugs fit — though you may meet the other types too.
Voltage
230 V · 50 Hz
Same as France — phones, laptops and shavers work with only an adapter, no converter.
Pack: nothing special — your type C plugs go straight in. A small power strip is still handy where hotel rooms have one socket.
Cambodia drives on the right — just like home
Compare traffic side:
Cambodia · right-hand traffic — same as France
Getting around
Tuk-tuks, ride-hailing apps and hired cars with a driver are the easiest way to get around Cambodian towns and cities. Roads between provinces can be rough, and self-driving a scooter needs care and caution.
Health precautions
Tap water isn't safe to drink; stick to bottled or filtered water. Use mosquito repellent, since dengue is present, and check recommended vaccinations with a travel clinic before you go.
Respect local customs
Remove your shoes and hat before entering temples and homes, dress modestly at religious sites, and avoid touching anyone's head. Public displays of affection are frowned on.
Cambodian Riels, cash and cards
Cambodia uses the Cambodian Riel (KHR).
US dollars are everyday cash
Cambodia runs on both US dollars and riel side by side. Larger notes and most prices are quoted in dollars; riel is used mainly for small change.
ATMs are easy to find
ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and other towns dispense US dollars and accept most foreign cards, usually for a withdrawal fee. Carry cash for rural areas and land borders.
Cards work in cities, cash elsewhere
Hotels, bigger restaurants and shops take cards, but markets, tuk-tuks and small guesthouses expect cash, so keep a stock of small dollar and riel notes.
Weather by month (Phnom Penh)
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
21.7°23.1°25.1°26.1°25.4°24.6°24.1°24°23.9°23.7°22.9°21.7°
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
| Month | High, °C | Low, °C | Rain, mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January · best | 33.7 | 21.7 | 16.1 |
| February · best | 36.3 | 23.1 | 11.3 |
| March | 37.3 | 25.1 | 30.1 |
| April | 36.5 | 26.1 | 62.1 |
| May | 33.7 | 25.4 | 129 |
| June | 31.6 | 24.6 | 189.6 |
| July | 30.7 | 24.1 | 162.8 |
| August | 30.4 | 24 | 166.8 |
| September | 30.1 | 23.9 | 189.9 |
| October | 30 | 23.7 | 167.4 |
| November · best | 30.6 | 22.9 | 89.1 |
| December · best | 31.8 | 21.7 | 27.6 |
Monthly averages. Source: NASA POWER climatology, 2001-2020.
January · ideal
The best window runs January, February, November and December.
High 33.7°CLow 21.7°CRain 16.1 mm
Sweet spot: Phnom Penh is hot all year, with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. December and January are the coolest and most comfortable months; March to May are the hottest, and September and October bring the heaviest rain.
One time zone
Paris
--:--:--
Phnom Penh
--:--:--
How much to tip, in EUR
៛2,000
Restaurant bill
Only if no service charge is already added
10%
on a ៛2,000 bill: ៛200
Hotel porter, per bag
៛4,000–៛8,000
Hotel housekeeping, per night
៛4,000–៛8,000
Tuk-tuk or taxi
Rounding up the fare is appreciated, not expected
No tip expected
Tour guide, per day
៛20,000–៛40,000
Massage or spa
៛4,000–៛12,000
SIM, eSIM or roaming?
Local SIM
RecommendedLocal prepaid SIM
Kiosks at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville airports, or any Smart, Cellcard or Metfone shop in town Tourist data packages are widely available and can be topped up; buying in town is usually cheaper than at the airport.
eSIM
Travel eSIM
International eSIM providers online, installed before you travel Convenient if your phone supports eSIM and you want data working the moment you land, without swapping a physical SIM.
Roaming
Roaming from home
Activate through your home network before you fly The simplest option but usually the most expensive; check your provider's Cambodia rates first.
Get your Cambodia e-Visa in about five business days, without the portal headaches
Upload a phone photo and your passport, we check them against every rule above, submit, and send your approval to your inbox. From €55 all-in.
- Card payments by PayPal
- Fee refunded if we cause a refusal
- Support by email and WhatsApp