The Royal Government of Cambodia has announced a strict, sweeping ultimatum targeting African nationals residing within the kingdom.
According to an official directive issued by the General Department of Immigration, a long-standing visa and fine waiver explicitly granted to African citizens will officially be terminated at the end of this month.
The mandate, issued under corporate reference number 1662/GDI, specifically singles out nationals from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, and Uganda, while noting that the directive applies broadly to all other African nationals currently in the country.
Cambodian authorities have made it clear that the grace period for regularizing immigration status or exiting the territory is rapidly drawing to a close.
“All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before 31ˢᵗ of May 2026,” the official notice states, establishing a firm deadline for those who have previously been penalized for immigration infractions.
The consequences for non-compliance after the deadline are exceptionally severe.
The General Department of Immigration has outlined stringent punitive measures for anyone attempting to bypass the new regulatory framework. Beginning next month, the state will initiate aggressive enforcement operations at all transit hubs and residential areas.
According to the directive, “Any foreign national who enters, remains or is found in Cambodia from 1ˢᵗ of June 2026 will be arrested at the airport or at any location.”
Individuals detained under these circumstances face mandatory prosecution, which includes serving a two-year prison sentence. Furthermore, authorities will require detainees to pay an $8,000 legal penalty before being permitted to exit the country.
To enforce this directive, the Ministry of Interior has authorized domestic law enforcement agencies to conduct sweeping sweeps across the country to root out undocumented expatriates.
The document warns that “the Cambodia Police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from 1ˢᵗ of June 2026 for overstay and will hand over to the immigration authorities for legal action.”
The directive bears the direct signatures of Lieutenant General Som Sopheak, the Director General of the General Department of Immigration, and General Sar Sokha, the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Interior. The joint authorization emphasizes that the administration will take a zero-tolerance approach toward any individual found violating domestic immigration protocols.
In a concluding statement aimed at ensuring total compliance, the Ministry of Interior noted that the state expects absolute cooperation from the expatriate community.
“All concerned are hereby informed to strictly comply with this notice,” the document concludes, adding that “the Royal Government of Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws.”
Expatriates requiring further clarification or administrative assistance regarding their departure plans have been advised to contact the General Department of Immigration directly at their headquarters on Russian Federation Boulevard in Phnom Penh.
