Cambodia. The name itself conjures images of ancient, vine-choked temples, the sprawling majesty of Angkor Wat at sunrise, the vibrant pulse of Phnom Penh, and the serene, smiling faces of the Khmer people. For French travelers, with their shared history and appreciation for culture, Cambodia is a destination that feels both exotic and strangely familiar.
In the past, planning such a trip involved embassy visits or a nervous wait for a visa on arrival. But today, the Kingdom of Cambodia has thrown its doors wide open with a simple, fast, and 100% online Cambodia e-Visa.
This guide is your complete resource for navigating the e-Visa process from France. We'll cover the requirements, the costs, the processing times, and the critical differences between visa types, ensuring your journey to this enchanting corner of Southeast Asia is as smooth as silk.
Do French Citizens Need a Visa for Cambodia?
Yes. A valid visa is mandatory for all French passport holders to enter Cambodia.
However, you are in luck. French citizens have two incredibly convenient options for a tourist visa:
Visa on Arrival (VoA): You can get this upon landing at the major international airports (Phnom Penh or Siem Reap).
The Cambodia e-Visa: You can apply online, get approved in advance, and skip the on-arrival queues.
This guide will focus on the e-Visa, as it is the most recommended, stress-free option for modern travel.
Cambodia e-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival: Which is Better for French Travelers?
This is the most common question travelers ask. While the Visa on Arrival is available, the Cambodia e-Visa for French Citizens is widely considered the superior choice.
The Visa on Arrival (VoA) Experience: After a long flight from Paris (likely with a layover), you'll land and be directed to the "Visa on Arrival" counter. Here, you will have to:
Wait in a potentially long and chaotic queue.
Fill out paper forms.
Provide a physical passport photo.
Pay the fee in US dollars (cash only). They are very strict about this and often do not have change for large bills.
The e-Visa Experience: You walk past the entire Visa on Arrival queue and go directly to the dedicated "e-Visa" immigration line. You hand over your passport and your printed e-Visa. The officer scans it, stamps your passport, and you're on your way to baggage claim.
The Verdict: The e-Visa offers invaluable peace of mind. It's pre-paid, pre-approved, and saves you hassle and time the moment you land. For a smooth start to your holiday, the e-Visa is the clear winner.
Cambodia e-Visa Requirements for French Citizens
The requirements for the e-Visa are refreshingly simple. You don't need letters of invitation or complex financial statements. Here is your complete Cambodia Visa Requirements.
What Type of Passport Do I Need?
You must have a full French passport (passeport ordinaire). Diplomatic, service, or temporary travel documents may not be eligible for the e-Visa. Your passport must also have at least six (6) months of validity remaining from your date of entry into Cambodia.
What are the Exact Photo Requirements?
This is the most common reason for application delays. Your digital photo must be:
Recent: Taken within the last 6 months.
Clear and in Color: Not blurry or black and white.
Against a White Background: No patterns, shadows, or other objects.
Full-Face View: Looking directly at the camera, with a neutral expression.
No Glasses or Hats: (Except for religious head coverings, but your face must be fully visible).
A low-quality selfie or a photo cropped from another picture will likely be rejected.
Document Requirements for Cambodia e-Visa from France
Valid French Passport: With 6+ months of validity.
Digital Passport Photo: Meeting the specifications above.
Passport Scan: A clear, color scan of your passport's main information page (the one with your photo).
Valid Email Address: This is where your approved e-Visa will be sent.
Payment Method: A credit/debit card or digital wallet for online payment.
How to Apply for the Cambodia e-Visa from France?
Fill Out the Application Form: Enter your personal information (name, date of birth, etc.) and your French passport details. This must exactly match your passport.
Upload Your Documents: Attach your digital passport photo and the scan of your passport's bio-data page.
Select Your Visa & Processing Time: Choose the visa type you need and how fast you need it (Normal, Rush, or Super Rush).
Pay the Fee: Pay the visa and processing fees securely online.
Receive Your eVisa: You will receive your approved e-Visa as a PDF in your email inbox.
PRINT YOUR E-VISA: This is a mandatory step. You must print two (2) copies in color. One is for arrival, and one is for departure.
How Can I Check My Application Status?
If you apply through the official government portal, you can use their "Check & Change" function, but it can be confusing and updates are not always clear.
If you apply through a service like cambodia-evisa.info, you will receive automatic, real-time email updates at every stage: "Received," "In-Progress," and "Approved." You can also contact their 24/7 support team via chat, email, or WhatsApp for an immediate status check.
How Long Does the Cambodia e-Visa Take?
You can choose the processing speed that fits your travel plans. This is perfect for both ultra-organized planners and last-minute adventurers.
Normal Processing (3 - 5 Days): Standard processing time for regular applications.
Rush Processing (2 - 3 Days): Faster processing for urgent travel needs.
Super Rush Processing (1 - 2 Days): Fastest processing for emergency travel.
Even with the "Super Rush" option, it's highly recommended to apply at least one week before your flight to avoid any unexpected delays.
Cambodia e-Visa Types for French Citizens
This is a critical section. Cambodia offers two different e-Visa types. It is vital you choose the correct one.
e-Visa T (Tourist): This is for tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends. This is the correct visa for 99% of French holidaymakers. It is NOT extendable.
e-Visa E (Ordinary): This is often called the "business" or "ordinary" visa. It is for those who intend to work, volunteer, or potentially stay in Cambodia long-term. This visa IS extendable inside Cambodia.
Both visas grant an initial 30-day stay and are valid for 90 days (meaning you must enter Cambodia within 90 days of the visa being issued).
Cambodia e-Visa Fee Structure & Payment Methods
The total Cambodia Visa Fees is broken down into two parts:
Total Fee = Government Fee + Processing Fee (+ Rush Processing / Super Rush Processing)
Government Fee (Visa Cost): This is the mandatory fee paid to the Cambodian government.
Processing Fee (Service Fee): This is the fee charged by a visa agency for checking your application, verifying your documents, and providing 24/7 support.
You can pay securely online using a variety of modern methods, which is a significant advantage over the cash-only Visa on Arrival.
Credit & Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club
Digital Wallets: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Security Features: The payment portals are highly secure, using SSL encryption, PCI DSS compliance, and 3D Secure authentication.
Official Government Site vs. cambodia-evisa.info: Which Should You Choose?
This is a key decision for your application.
Q: Can't I just apply on the official government site and save the service fee?
Yes, you can. The official government portal is available, and you will only pay the government fee ($30 or $35). However, this is a 100% "Do-It-Yourself" process.
Q: What is the real risk of applying on my own?
The biggest risk is rejection due to simple errors, and all government fees are non-refundable.
Photo Rejection: This is the #1 reason for rejection. If your photo has a non-white background, shadows, or is a selfie, it will be rejected.
Blurry Scans: If your passport scan is not perfectly clear, it will be rejected.
Typos: A simple mistake in your passport number or birthdate will void the visa.
If any of these happen, your application is rejected, and your $30-$35 is gone. You must re-apply and pay the full fee again.
Q: What am I paying for with the "Service Fee" at cambodia-evisa.info?
You are paying for peace of mind and an expert review. The service at cambodia-evisa.info covers:
Expert Document Review: A human visa expert personally reviews your photo and passport scan before they are submitted.
Error Correction: If your photo is blurry or has the wrong background, the agency will contact you immediately (via email, chat, or WhatsApp) to get a new one. This prevents rejection.
24/7 Support: Confused about the "E" vs. "T" visa? A support team is available to help you.
Secure & Easy Payments: Access to a wider, more secure range of payment options like PayPal and Apple Pay.
99% Success Rate: The agency's job is to guarantee your application is 100% correct the first time.
In short: The government site is a gamble. A service like cambodia-evisa.info is an insurance policy that protects your non-refundable government fee and ensures your travel plans go smoothly.
FAQ for French Travelers
Q: Where can I use the Cambodia e-Visa? (Entry Points)
This is extremely important. The e-Visa is NOT accepted at all Cambodian border crossings.
You CAN use the e-Visa at:
Airports:
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP)
Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS)
Major Land Borders (from Thailand):
Cham Yeam (Koh Kong)
Poipet (Banteay Meanchey)
Major Land Borders (from Vietnam):
Bavet (Svay Rieng)
You CANNOT use the e-Visa at the land border with Laos or other more remote Thai/Vietnamese crossings.
Q: Do I need to print my e-Visa?
Yes, absolutely. You must print two (2) copies in color on separate A4 sheets. One copy will be taken by immigration on arrival, and the second will be taken on departure. Do not rely on your phone.
Q: Do my children need their own e-Visa?
Yes. Every French passport holder, including infants and children, must have their own separate e-Visa to enter Cambodia.
Q: What is the most common reason for rejection?
The #1 reason by far is a bad photo. Using a selfie, a photo with a colored background, or a blurry image will get your application rejected. The #2 reason is a blurry passport scan where the details are not readable.
Q: I made a mistake on my application. What can I do?
If you applied on the government site: You cannot make changes after submission. If the error is critical (e.g., wrong passport number), your visa is invalid. You will have to re-apply and pay again.
If you applied with
cambodia-evisa.info: Contact their 24/7 support immediately. If your application has not been submitted to the government, they can correct the error for you. This is a primary benefit of using the service.
Q: Can I extend my 30-day Tourist (T) e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa T (Tourist) is strictly for 30 days and cannot be extended under any circumstances. You must leave the country on or before your 30th day.
Q: I want to stay in Cambodia for 3 months. What should I do?
You must apply for the e-Visa E (Ordinary). When you arrive with this visa, it's still only valid for 30 days. However, before it expires, you can take it to the Department of Immigration (in Phnom Penh) and apply for a 1, 3, 6, or 12-month extension. This is the only way to legally stay in Cambodia long-term.
Conclusion: Your Cambodian Kingdom Awaits
Cambodia is a country that touches the soul. From the ancient stones of its temples to the resilient spirit of its people, it offers an adventure that is both profound and accessible.
For French citizens, the e-Visa system has removed all the friction, making the journey as simple as a few clicks. By preparing your documents, choosing the correct visa type (T for tourists, E for long-stayers), and applying in advance, you guarantee a seamless arrival.
So, get your application started, print your approval, and prepare to be amazed. Chum reap sour (Welcome) to Cambodia!
Write a comment ...