Cambodia visa for Chinese citizens — procedures and specifics

TL;DR

• Chinese citizens are not visa-exempt: they enter Cambodia with a 30 USD tourist e-Visa or a visa on arrival (VOA). China is not on Cambodia’s exemption list (ASEAN members only).
• China-Cambodia tax treaty IN FORCE: unlike the UK, China has a double-taxation agreement with Cambodia, applicable since 1 January 2019 — an advantage for long-term residents.
• Very large Chinese footprint in Cambodia (BRI investment, Sihanoukville): China is a major source of foreign direct investment, and many direct flights link Chinese cities to Phnom Penh.

Conditions

Standard Cambodian e-Visa conditions:

• Chinese passport valid ≥ 6 months after the entry date.
• Passport undamaged: entry is normally refused with a damaged passport or missing pages.
• 1 blank page for the entry stamp.
• e-Visa printout (PDF) or VOA at airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville) and main land crossings.

Procedures from China

e-Visa (recommended)

At evisa.gov.kh — 30 USD by card, PDF within 3 business days (apply at least 5-7 days before departure). The e-Visa is valid 90 days from issue, for a single-entry stay of up to 30 days. Note: the e-Visa is not accepted at every land crossing (some Thai borders excluded), so it suits air arrivals best.

Visa on arrival (VOA)

At international airports and main land border crossings. Have 30 USD cash ready (payment is in US dollars) plus a passport photo — cards are not always accepted.

Chinese Embassy in Cambodia / Cambodian Embassy in Beijing

No prior consular procedure is needed for short tourism. For special cases or assistance, two official contacts exist:

• Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cambodia — No.156, Mao Tse Toung Blvd., Phnom Penh (assistance to Chinese nationals on the ground; consular line +855 12 901 937, chinaemb_kh@mfa.gov.cn).
• Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Beijing — No.9, Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 (tel. +86 10 6532 1889, camemb.chn@mfaic.gov.kh) for a visa issued in China before departure. Check current fees with the embassy.

Long-stay visa: EB or ER

For stays > 60 consecutive days, switch to:

• EB (Ordinary Business) for working/founding a company; renewed yearly with an MLVT work permit. See EB visa guide.
• ER (Ordinary Retired) for retirees > 55 with pension proof; renewable indefinitely. See ER visa guide.

Tax: treaty in force

Unlike the UK, China has a double-taxation agreement (DTA) with Cambodia. It was signed on 13 October 2016, entered into force on 26 January 2018, and applies to income from 1 January 2019. China is among Cambodia’s earliest treaty partners (alongside Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, etc.).

For a Chinese resident in Cambodia:

• Treaty relief is available on certain income (eliminating the risk of double taxation, with tax credits) — a benefit for cross-border investment flows.
• The treaty provides residency tie-breaker rules where both countries treat you as resident.
• Cambodia taxes residency beyond 183 days of presence — see the tax residence guide.

FAQ

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Cambodia?

Yes. China is not on Cambodia’s visa-exemption list (ASEAN members only: Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Myanmar). A tourist e-Visa (30 USD, 30 days) or VOA suits a short stay. Check for any temporary measures on evisa.gov.kh.

Must the Chinese passport be valid for 6 months?

Yes — at least 6 months after entry, and undamaged (a damaged passport or missing pages can mean refused entry).

Is there a China-Cambodia tax treaty?

Yes. A double-taxation agreement has been in force since 1 January 2019 (signed 2016, in force 2018). It provides relief on certain income and residency tie-breaker rules. Hong Kong and Macau have separate arrangements. On the Cambodian side, tax residency applies beyond 183 days of presence.

Is the Chinese driving licence valid in Cambodia?

No, not alone. Because China is not a party to the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna road-traffic conventions, a Chinese international driving permit may not be recognised either. The safest route is to convert your licence to a Cambodian one on arrival.