The Ultimate Visa Guide for English Teachers in Cambodia: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re planning to teach English in Cambodia, navigating the visa process is one of the first things you’ll need to tackle. The good news is that Cambodia offers a relatively straightforward visa system for teachers, but understanding the different visa options, extensions, and work permits is essential to ensuring your stay is both legal and hassle-free.
This guide will walk you through everything, from arrival to securing your long-term stay and work permit, so you can focus on what really matters—teaching and exploring this incredible country!
Arriving in Cambodia: Visa on Arrival and the New e-Arrival System
Whether you’re arriving in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, Cambodia has made the entry process easier than ever with its new e-Arrival system. Gone are the days of filling out multiple paper forms when you land. This digital system handles your immigration card, customs declaration, and health forms—all online.
To use the e-Arrival system, simply pre-register your details via the official portal [arrival.gov.kh] before your flight. This will speed up your arrival and make the process smoother, ensuring you’re ready to start your Cambodian adventure right away.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) Options
When you arrive, you have two primary visa options depending on your plans:
- E-type (Ordinary) Visa – US$35.00
If you intend to live and work in Cambodia, this is the visa you need. The E-type visa is valid for 30 days on arrival and can be extended or converted to long-term visas (more on that below). It’s the only visa that allows for an Extension of Stay (EOS).
- T-type (Tourist) Visa – US$30.00
The tourist visa is for those who are just visiting. It’s valid for 30 days and can be extended once, giving you a total of 60 days in Cambodia. However, you cannot work on a T-type visa, and it cannot be converted into a work visa in-country. You will need to leave Cambodia and re-enter with an E-type visa if you want to teach.
Special Advisory for African Passport Holders
We have a special note for our friends holding African passports. Due to specific airline regulations, we strongly recommend securing a T-type (tourist visa) in advance of your travels to Cambodia. This precaution is to ensure your boarding and entry into Cambodia are smooth and free of last-minute surprises. Applying for your tourist visa is straightforward and can be done through the official Cambodian e-visa website: evisa.gov.kh.
By securing your visa beforehand, you can ensure a hassle-free entry and dive straight into Cambodia’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. Once you arrive, our dedicated team will be available to assist and guide you throughout your journey in this magnificent country.
Visa Extensions and Conversions: How to Stay Longer
Once you’re in Cambodia, if you’re on an E-type (Ordinary) Visa, you’ll need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) to remain legally in the country. There are several EOS categories, depending on your situation and plans:
1. EP Visa (Proposal)
For teachers-in-training, we recommend first applying for an EP Visa, which allows you to seek employment while completing programs like Destination TEFL. This extension is valid for 3 months and gives you ample time to find a job.
- Processing Time: 5 to 10 working days
- Cost: US$90
- Note: You can only extend the EP Visa once. After that, you’ll need to either switch to an EB Visa (for business) or leave and re-enter Cambodia.
2. EB Visa (Business)
Once you’ve secured employment with a licensed school or organization, you can apply for an EB Visa. This is the visa you’ll need to legally work in Cambodia long-term.
- Processing Time: 5 to 10 working days
- Cost: US$300 for a 12-month visa
- Important: To apply for a 12-month EB visa, you’ll need a work permit. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll only be granted a 6-month visa.
What to Do If You Entered on a T-type (Tourist) Visa
If you arrive on a T-type (Tourist) visa and want to stay longer or work, you’ll need to do a visa run. This is a common practice for ESL teachers across Southeast Asia and involves leaving the country to apply for a new visa, such as an E-type visa. Once you have the E-type visa, you won’t need to do any more visa runs as long as you stay on this visa class.
Step 1 – Extending Your T-type (Tourist) Visa
You can extend your T-type visa once for an additional 30 days if you’re not ready to do a visa run yet.
- Processing Time: 5 to 10 working days
- Cost: US$55
Once your new E-type visa is approved (see below details), you’ll follow the regular steps for applying for an Extension of Stay and a work permit, allowing you to live and work in Cambodia legally.
Step 2 – Applying for an E-type Visa Online
Since January 2023, you can also apply for an E-type visa online via Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA website). However, even if you apply online, you must leave the country and re-enter with your new visa. You can’t change your visa status, from a T-type to an E-type visa, in-country.
To apply for the E-type visa online, you’ll need the following documents from your employer:
- Processing Time: 3 business days
- Cost: US$35 plus a US$7 processing fee
Work Permits: Your Key to Teaching Legally
Once you have your E-type visa and have extended your stay, the next step is to secure a work permit. You’ll need this to work legally in Cambodia, and your employer should assist you with the paperwork.
- Processing Time: 4 to 5 weeks
- Cost: US$200, plus an additional US$25 for a basic medical check
(The medical check is simple, covering things like weight, height, and blood pressure.)
Final Thoughts
Teaching English in Cambodia offers an incredible opportunity, but navigating the visa and work permit process is essential for a successful stay. The information provided above is based on advice from our trusted visa agent and years of experience. However, Destination TEFL is not a visa agent or immigration specialist, and the details shared here are for informational purposes only. While we strive to keep our information up to date, we cannot take responsibility for any changes to visa regulations or procedures that may occur before updates are made.
We offer visa guidance exclusively for individuals who have signed up for one of our TEFL programs. If you join us, we will assist you in understanding the process and guide you through the necessary steps, but it remains your responsibility to ensure compliance with Cambodian visa regulations.
Ready to start your teaching adventure in Cambodia?
Take the first step by filling out our pre-application form. Join our TEFL program, and let us help you with expert guidance on teaching and living in the Kingdom of Wonder!
Already TEFL Certified? Fast Track Your Teaching Career!
If you’re already TEFL certified and ready to start teaching, Destination TEFL offers a Fast Track Job Preparation and Placement Programme. This program includes full visa support and helps you integrate into Cambodia’s ESL teaching community right away. It’s an excellent option for teachers looking to get their feet on the ground quickly.
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