2. ATTENTION
See our Current Issues page for information on Avian Influenza.
There is a heightened security threat to Westerners and Western interests throughout Southeast Asia. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise extreme caution, particularly at night and in commercial and public establishments (hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship), outdoor recreational events, and tourist areas frequented by foreigners. Canadians should monitor local developments and avoid crowds and demonstrations.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Although Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada does not warn against travel to this country or region(s) of this country, Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office due to the security situation and/or the absence of Canadian representation in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
There have been notable efforts by Cambodia to crack down on the child sex tourism industry. There are harsh Cambodian penalties for participating in this type of activity. Canadians may also be prosecuted at home for acts of this nature committed while abroad. Please refer to our Child Sex Tourism Fact Sheet for further information.
A permit is required to purchase or possess cultural or archaeological artefacts.
Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour, particularly when visiting religious sites. Visitors should dress conservatively and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.
You should not photograph airports or military installations. Ask permission before photographing individuals, including Buddhist monks.
Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Cambodian authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on May 18, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Cambodia. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Cambodian authorities may refuse entry to people for a breach of this regulation and return them to the country from which they last travelled. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.
Tourist and business visas (valid for a one-month stay) can be purchased upon arrival at the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, at a Cambodian embassy abroad or at certain land borders. Travellers must pay a fee of US$20 for tourist visas or US$25 for business (cash only) and provide two passport-sized photos. One-month visas can be obtained on entering Cambodia overland from Thailand via the Trat/Koh Kong or Aranyaprathet/Poipet crossings. The fee is 1,000 baht for tourist visas and 1,500 baht for business. If you plan to cross to or from Vietnam at the Moc Bai/Bavet crossing, you must obtain the relevant visa prior to arrival at the border.
Border officials may insist that travellers entering Cambodia overland produce an international vaccination certificate or purchase malaria or other tablets from them before granting entry. There is no Cambodian requirement that tourists hold vaccination certificates or purchase any form of medication upon arrival.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
A departure tax of US$25 cash is required at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International airports.___________________________________________
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the riel. U.S. dollars are also widely used. Only (new) undamaged notes are accepted. Notes will the slightest tear will not be accepted. Personal cheques and credit cards are not widely accepted. Some banks in Phnom Penh accept Visa and MasterCard for cash advances. Traveller's cheques are accepted by major hotels and banks. There are a few ATMs in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Cambodia (capital: Phnom Penh) is located in Southeast Asia and is bordered by Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand. The official language is Khmer, but Chinese, English, and French are spoken by some Cambodians. Tourist facilities are well developed in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, but limited elsewhere.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1) or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical facilities throughout Cambodia are extremely poor. Medical evacuation to Thailand or Singapore is required, except for basic medical conditions and injuries, in order to obtain acceptable standards of treatment. Such evacuations are very expensive and difficult to organize. Canadians with unstable medical conditions should take these circumstances into account prior to travel. Travellers experiencing medical problems while in Cambodia should seek immediate assistance in Phnom Penh and consider leaving.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
There are concerns regarding trafficking of Cambodian children for the purpose of international adoption. Provincial and territorial authorities should be contacted for more information on current adoption policies for Cambodia. More information on intercountry adoption can also be found on Social Development Canada's site http://www.sdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/hip/sd/10_fedGovDept.shtml&hs=cyd.
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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