Cambodia visa for South Korean citizens — procedures and specifics

TL;DR

• South Korean citizens enter Cambodia with a 30 USD tourist e-Visa or a visa on arrival (VOA): there is no visa exemption between South Korea and Cambodia.
• Since 1 September 2024, the e-Arrival card is mandatory for all air arrivals — free, completed within 7 days before the flight.
• Korea-Cambodia tax treaty in force: unlike the UK or Japan, a double-taxation agreement applies — treaty relief on certain income (reduced withholding) — a real benefit for long-term residents.

Conditions

Standard Cambodian e-Visa conditions, no nationality restriction:

• Korean passport valid ≥ 6 months after the entry date.
• Passport undamaged: a damaged passport or missing pages can mean refused entry.
• 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 Korea

e-Visa (recommended)

At evisa.gov.kh — 30 USD by card, PDF within 3 business days. Apply at least 4 to 5 days before departure. KRW payment is converted to USD at the daily rate; keep two printed copies of the visa.

Visa on arrival (VOA)

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

Korean embassy in Phnom Penh / consulate in Siem Reap

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is at Phum No.14 (Koh Pich), Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh (tel. +855-23-211-900~3, emergency +855-92-555-235, consular cambodia04@mofa.go.kr). It covers the whole country except the area of the Korean consulate in Siem Reap. Mainly useful for consular assistance and resident registration; for short tourism, the online e-Visa is enough.

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: Korea-Cambodia treaty in force

Unlike the UK or Japan, South Korea has a double-taxation agreement in force with Cambodia. The GDT (Cambodia’s tax authority) lists it — the “Agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the Republic of Korea for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income” — among its dozen-or-so treaty partners (Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China — incl. Hong Kong and Macau —, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Turkey). The agreement was signed in Busan in late 2019 and is in effect.

Practical benefit for a Korean resident:

• Reduced withholding tax: on dividends, interest, royalties and technical fees paid to a non-resident, the treaty cuts Cambodia’s standard rate from 14% to 10% (subject to conditions and to filing a treaty-relief application with the GDT).
• Residency tie-breaker: in case of dual Korea/Cambodia residence, the treaty assigns a single state of tax residence, avoiding double taxation.
• Cambodia taxes residency beyond 183 days of presence — see the tax residence guide.

FAQ

Do South Korean citizens need a visa for Cambodia?

Yes. There is no visa exemption between South Korea and Cambodia (only ASEAN nationals are exempt). A tourist e-Visa (30 USD, 30 days) or VOA suits a short stay; the Korean embassy recommends the online e-Visa before departure.

Must the Korean 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 Korea-Cambodia tax treaty?

Yes. A double-taxation agreement is in force: South Korea is among the treaty partners listed by Cambodia’s GDT. In practice it cuts withholding tax from 14% to 10% on certain income (dividends, interest, royalties) and sets a residency tie-breaker. Cambodian residency applies beyond 183 days of presence.

Is the Korean driving licence valid in Cambodia?

The Korean licence alone is not recognised. Get an international driving permit (IDP) in Korea before departure, or convert to a Cambodian licence on arrival.

Are there direct flights from Korea to Cambodia?

Yes to Phnom Penh: year-round nonstop flights from Incheon (Seoul) (Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Sky Angkor Airlines), about 5h30. Direct service to Siem Reap from Korea is mostly seasonal/charter; otherwise transit via Phnom Penh or a regional hub.