Visiting Cambodia
Bringing medication to Cambodia
Reporting a crime and getting a police report
Living in Cambodia
Emergency services in Cambodia
Collecting mail from the Embassy
Getting medication sent to Cambodia
Police clearances (criminal checks)
Births, Marriages, and Death in Cambodia
Getting married to a Cambodian in Cambodia
Registering relationships or Cambodian marriages
What happens if you die in Cambodia and how you can prepare
General Information
Assistance with Human Services (formerly Centrelink) payments
Locating an Australian in Cambodia
Checking whether a person, non-government organisation, or business is legitimate
Visiting Cambodia
A Cambodian visa is required for all Australians visiting or residing in Cambodia. Tourists can apply for an e-visa online or get a tourist visa on arrival. These are valid for 30 days. For longer stays or other situations, get a visa through an embassy or consulate of Cambodia.
Day trips aren't allowed, except when travelling via Phnom Penh International Airport.
Don’t overstay your visa. This is a serious offence
Volunteering, if done well, results in new skills for the volunteer, supports the communities they serve, and builds enduring friendships and people-to-people links. However, research has shown that some volunteering opportunities with children involve unintended negative consequences. It is important that volunteers are not in positions where they may inadvertently be contributing to the exploitation of already vulnerable children.
Smartraveller offers in-depth information and tips about volunteering overseas.
Reputable charity organisations should be registered with the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission provides information about charities registered in Australia with operations in Cambodia.
The Embassy is unable to provide feedback about individual charities.
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Smartraveller offers general advice useful to LGBTI++ travellers heading overseas.
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have active LGBTI communities consisting of locals and foreigners, with various community events and organisations as well as publicly visible entertainment venues.
Reports of discrimination or violence against LGBTI foreign visitors or expats is almost unheard of, however cultural differences and a lack of understanding can result in questions or comments you may find rude or offensive even if not ill-intentioned. Generally attitudes towards LGBTI travellers are broadly supportive. The Cambodian Government has made statements in support of the LGTBI community and denounced discrimination.
Same-sex marriage is not legal in Cambodia however same-sex relationships and sexual activity are legal. Cambodia is a conservative country and all visitors should avoid overt displays of romantic affection, observe the behaviour of local people and abide by the same standards.
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Bringing medication to Cambodia
The following information regarding bringing prescription medication into Cambodia is provided for your information; however it is a guide only, as the customs regulations in Cambodia are determined by the Cambodian government.
· You may require a letter from your treating doctor specifically noting the reason for the prescription, the quantity of the medication, as well as the prescribed dose and frequency you take it;
· Should you be concerned about this upon entry into Cambodia we advise you to declare it to Cambodian customs at the airport along with the letter from your doctor; and
· If the medications are in a restricted class, it would be wise to make this known to the Cambodian Embassy in Australia (located in Canberra) seeking their advice well in advance of making any travel arrangements.
We cannot advise which specific medications are restricted/prohibited. For definitive information, please contact the Cambodian authorities directly, either the Cambodian Embassy in Canberra, or the Department of Customs in Phnom Penh.
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If you are in need of urgent medical treatment in Cambodia see our list of medical service providers.
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Reporting a crime and getting a police report
Police reports are often provided in Khmer, if you require the report for insurance purposes you will need to have it translated. If accepted by your insurer, a translation in Phnom Penh will be quicker and cheaper than Australian options.
Phnom Penh
The Foreigner Relation Agency (tourist police) has temporarily relocated to a four-floor yellow/cream coloured building on the side road at the intersection of streets 271 and 217. It is directly behind the Sun City Hotel (can be found on Google Maps) and accessed via a small road to the north side. They usually have English speaking officers or translators during business hours. You can attempt to obtain a report from the local sangkat police station covering the location where the crime occurred, however not all of these stations are prepared to issue police reports or will have English speaking staff.
Siem Reap
A Tourist Police Booth is located at the east end of Pub Street near the UCare Pharmacy.
Kampot
Visit the Police Headquarters in the centre of Kampot Town.
Other areas
To obtain a police report in other provincial areas you will need to approach the local police station covering the location the crime occurred. Ask your guesthouse for details. Local stations will rarely have English speaking staff, we recommend taking a translator with you.
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Visit Smartraveller Cambodia for our latest travel advice and subscribe to receive updates. You can also follow the Embassy’s Facebook page for news and information.
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Living in Cambodia
All Australians working in Cambodia under an Ordinary (Business) E category visa are required to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. The fee for a work permit is not typically expected to be covered by employers. Applications for a work permit can be made online or at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, No.3, Russian Federation Blvd, Phnom Penh. Applications lodged at provincial offices of Labour and Vocational Training may experience delays as all processing is centralised in Phnom Penh. Please hold onto your receipt as proof of your application until you receive the work permit.
Australians who have resided, or worked intermittently in Cambodia, may be fined for previous years if they have had an Ordinary E category Visa but have not had a work permit. For more information about work permits please contact the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training on 023 884 375.
The Embassy cannot arrange work permits on behalf of Australians.
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Emergency services in Cambodia
Fire and rescue services: Call 118.
Medical emergencies: Call 119 in Phnom Penh or go to a hospital. Private hospitals may have ambulances available. Outside of Phnom Penh you will need to contact a hospital directly. All services will incur fees.
Police: Call 117 or contact the tourist police. The police may not have the resources to help you in an emergency. Police stations and emergency numbers might not be available 24 hours a day. Phone operators may not speak English.
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The Cambodian public healthcare system is not free for foreigners and Medicare does not cover you outside of Australia. While prices at public hospitals can be lower than at private hospitals, the level of care falls below what Australian visitors would expect, and costs can still quickly add up.
You should have travel or medical insurance, inclusive of medevac services, at all times when in Cambodia. The Australian Government will not pay your medical bills or medevac you to Australia.
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The Embassy no longer provides exam supervision as there are a number of private organisations in Phnom Penh who offer these services.
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Collecting mail from the Embassy
The Embassy is unable to provide postal services, and any unsolicited mail received will be returned to Cambodian Royal Mail. You may wish to consider using the services of a courier company, and arranging to collect your items from their depot in Phnom Penh. Cambodian Royal Mail also offers a PO Box service.
An exception can be made for Australians needing a secure location for replacement bank cards to be mailed if requested beforehand. If this is your situation contact our consular team at [email protected].
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Foreigners wishing to drive in Cambodia must hold a Cambodian drivers licence, or an International Driving Permit combined with your Australian drivers licence.
You can apply for a Cambodian licence equivalent to your Australian licence in person at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport's main Phnom Penh office or at their outlets located inside Aeon Mall 1 and Aeon Mall 2 in Phnom Penh and at the Heritage Walk mall in Siem Reap. If you do not have a valid foreign licence you will need to undergo testing at their main office to receive a Cambodian licence.
If using an Australian licence and International Driving Permit you can only operate the vehicles listed. You must carry both documents when operating a vehicle and comply with all Cambodian traffic law.
A licence is not required to ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity of up to 125cc. Even if local law does not require you to have a licence for smaller engine motorcycles, we recommend you check with your travel insurer if this will affect your coverage. For motorcycles 125cc and over you will need a Cambodian licence, the procedure to obtain a motorcycle licence is similar to a car licence.
Getting medication sent to Cambodia
The Embassy cannot receive your medications sent from Australia, you will need to arrange to have them sent directly to you. If you are concerned about the postal timeframes you should contact a courier such as DHL, who can typically deliver packages from Australian cities to Phnom Penh within two to three working days. If you do not have a secure location for the package to be delivered, arrange to collect your item at the courier’s depot.
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Our Consular Office doesn’t provide interpreting or translation services. An internet search will provide you with details of many commercial options in Phnom Penh, and limited options in Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampot, and Sihanoukville.
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To check your enrolment or find out details about upcoming elections visit either the Australian Electoral Commission or the electoral commission website for your state or territory.
If you’d like to know what overseas voting options are available, including in-person voting at embassies, check with your relevant electoral commission.
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Police clearances (criminal checks)
Read our guide for information about how to obtain Australian and Cambodian police clearances.
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If you’re an expat leaving Cambodia to return home, Smartraveller offers useful information and tips for you to consider during your move.
Other things to note:
· Obtaining a Cambodian Police Clearance after you leave may be impossible. Read our guide and decide if you should apply before you go.
· If you need replacement Cambodian documents such as marriage certificates or your child’s birth certificate, often doing so in-person is the only way. If you need a replacement consider applying before you leave.
· Taking your pet from Cambodia to Australia could be costly and time intensive. Contact the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to find out more.
Births, Marriages, and Death in Cambodia
Refer to the Department of Home Affairs for Australian citizenship matters. Our Consular Office cannot assist with citizenship enquiries.
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Getting married to a Cambodian in Cambodia
An Australian wishing to marry a Cambodian national in Cambodia will need the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) and the Ministry of Interior. MFAIC advises foreign men wishing to marry a Cambodian woman must provide evidence they earn at least USD2,500 per month. To discuss your circumstances visit the Legal and Consul office at MFAIC.
To lodge an application with MFAIC you will need to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage from the Embassy. Appointments can be made via our website.
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Congratulations on your new family member. The certificate issued by the clinic or hospital is not a formal birth certificate. You will need to apply for a birth certificate at either the sangkat/khan (similar to suburb) office where the Cambodian parent’s family book is registered, or for foreigner couples the sangkat/khan office where your residence is registered. Applications must be lodged within 30 days of the birth.
If you wish to apply for Australian citizenship for your child contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Once your child has obtained citizenship Australian passport applications can be lodged at our Consular Office by appointment.
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Registering relationships or Cambodian marriages
Our Consular Office cannot record your relationship or Cambodia based marriage. For enquiries contact the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry in your state or territory.
For enquiries about Australian visas contact the Department of Home Affairs.
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What happens if you die in Cambodia and how you can prepare
Not many of us want to consider the possibility of our death while overseas, however some simple planning can make a lot of difference. Smartraveller offers general advice on this topic for Australians overseas. Additionally you should consider the following points in Cambodia:
· Let you family know your wishes and consider appointing a decision maker. Sending remains from Cambodia to Australia can be expensive, local cremations can be a less costly option.
· If you have local bank accounts, how will the funds be claimed by your nominated next-of-kin? Cambodian banks are strict about releasing funds without a court order, which can be a lengthy and expensive process with no guarantees. The Embassy cannot instruct banks to release funds.
· Think about your belongings and what items or personal keepsakes you would like to ensure get back to family, and how that will happen.
General Information
For all Australian visa enquiries contact the Department of Home Affairs. Our Consular Office cannot assist with any Australian visa enquiries. Emails to the Consular Office regarding Australian visas will not receive a reply.
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Assistance with Services Australia (formerly Centrelink) payments
Contact Services Australia on 001 61 3 6222 3455 from 8am to 5pm AEST. Our consular staff cannot assist with Services Australia payments.
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Locating an Australian in Cambodia
If you are trying to contact an Australian you believe is in Cambodia follow Smartraveller’s tips for trying to locate a missing person. If you still can’t contact them and you are located in Australia please contact the Consular Emergency Centre 24/7 on 1300 555 135. If you are in Cambodia you can contact our Consular Office.
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Our Consular Office maintains a list of legal services in Cambodia who advise they offer English speaking lawyers and legal advice covering a wide range of services.
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Checking whether a person, non-government organisation, or business is legitimate
The Embassy can’t investigate or verify the legitimacy of Cambodia based individuals, private businesses, or non-government organisations.
If you are concerned someone may be trying to scam you visit Scamwatch for tips and information. Scams are common in South East Asia and you should always exercise a high level of caution if someone is asking for money or your personal information, particularly if you have not met them in person.
To find out more about Australian charities with operations in Cambodia you can contact the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
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