Cambodia to Pilot Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists in 2026

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec.18, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism convened senior officials on Dec. 18 to discuss mechanisms for implementing a pilot visa exemption for Chinese nationals, a policy hailed as a historic milestone under the “Cambodia–China Tourism Year 2025–2026.”

Tourism Minister Huot Hak chaired the meeting, joined by officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the General Department of Immigration, along with private sector representatives. About 20 participants attended, including   Dr. Kiet Chantharith, Secretary of State of the Interior Ministry, and Dr. Phan Phalla, Secretary of State of the Economy and Finance Ministry.

The visa exemption, approved by the Royal Government on Dec. 2, 2025, allows Chinese nationals to stay in Cambodia for up to 14 days per visit during the four-month period from June 15 to Oct. 15, 2026. Travelers will not be required to apply for a visa or pay fees, but must complete an electronic arrival card. Multiple entries will be permitted during the pilot period.

 The policy was announced earlier this month as part of Cambodia’s strategy to strengthen bilateral ties with China and stimulate tourism during the “green season.” Officials emphasized that the exemption is designed to make travel more convenient and competitive amid regional tourism recovery efforts.

 The announcement comes against the backdrop of strong growth in Chinese arrivals. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia received about 4.8 million international visitors in the first 10 months of 2025, of which 1 million were Chinese tourists. This marked a 44.6% increase year-on-year, positioning China as Cambodia’s largest source market and nearly restoring pre-pandemic levels.

Officials expect the visa-free policy to further accelerate arrivals from China, supporting Cambodia’s economic momentum and reinforcing its long-term vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030. The Ministry of Tourism underscored that the pilot program will be closely monitored to evaluate its impact on visitor flows and the broader economy.