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The Ministry of Economy and Finance has officially launched a system for requesting certificates of guarantee and invitations for travelers, investors and technical staff from October 18, 2021, according to the announcement No.453.SOC dated October 16, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on the conditions of travel, implementation of health rules  for travelers entering Cambodia in accordance with the new normal trajectory.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry has cooperated with the Second Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee of the Kovid-19 Disease Control Commission, the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries and institutions to implement the system of requesting certificates of guarantee and invitations for the purpose of supporting and facilitating the regime of naturalization for foreign travelers, investors, technical staff and families entering Cambodia, starting from October 18, 2021.

According to the source, the guarantee and invitation mechanism (Validation Application On Guarantee/Invitation) is based on the Cambodia Data Exchange (CamDX) through www.registrationservices.gov.kh.

Cambodian and foreign passengers, investors, technical staff and families must be guaranteed or invited by a local partner who is a legal entity registered and properly taxed in Cambodia.

Both types of certificates are valid for 30 days, can be used only once and have a digital form that travelers can download and print themselves through the above website before traveling to Cambodia.

For more information regarding the use of the system, as well as to apply for a Certificate of Warranty and Invitation, the public can download the User Manual (below) and apply at: www.registrationservices.gov.kh and contact the system support team during business hours at the hotline (+855 81 888 296) or email [email protected].

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50954106/new-travel-rules-cambodia-launches-system-for-requesting-guarantee-certificates-and-invitations-for-travelers-and-investors-from-october-18th/

Cambodia has introduced a new set of rules as it prepares to reopen for international business and travel. Photo from Fresh News.

The Kingdom of Cambodia has implemented a new set of entry rules for investors, experts, and tourists coming into the country. Starting from Oct 18, 2021, No.453 SOC dated Oct 16, 2021 from the Ministry of Health outlines the conditions for travel and quarantine measures.

It is worth noting the announcement caught observers by surprise as the government initially hinted at a shift in entry policy towards the end of October 2021. Nevertheless, this guide will look at what has officially been announced and try to make sense of the new directives. Ultimately, this guide seeks to answer the following questions:

• What were Cambodia’s quarantine restrictions?
• Who can enter Cambodia following the new travel policy?
• What documents do I need to enter Cambodia?
• What COVID-19 vaccines does Cambodia recognize?
• How will this impact the business in Cambodia?

DISCLAIMER: Policies will likely continue to be adjusted as Cambodia’s doors open to international business/tourism once again. Realestate.com.kh will be updating this article whenever new directives are announced. You can similarly check B2B Cambodia for more updates on new travel measures and other business news in Cambodia.

What were the previous Quarantine restrictions?

For some period of time, inbound travelers to Cambodia have had to go through 2 weeks of quarantine, with a number of changes put in place throughout 2021. This still required necessary COVID testing, proof of an existing business visa, deposits for quarantine, etc.

More recently, travelers could select from Cambodian Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) – which provides better quality hotels and food (which had been one of the biggest recurring complaints) but at a higher fee.

Regardless, it was still 14 days of quarantine which put off potential business and investor visitors to Cambodia, and no tourist visas have been issued for the better part of 15 months, so international inbound tourism was near to non-existent.

Who can enter Cambodia following the new travel policy?

We have seen several summaries of the directive interpreted by local businesses and media outlets. We still find the Facebook group (Cambodia Visa and Work Permit Group) to be one of the most useful resources and we thank them for their continued work on clarifying the new processes.

In summary, the changes are:

3-Day Quarantine: For vaccinated short term business travelers, investors, technical experts, both Khmer and foreign (require a VAPG/VAPI Certificate), A-type (Diplomatic) & B-type (Official) Visa holders, and civil servants of the Cambodian government returning from overseas mission (including their family who is a priority in the delegation).

7-Day Quarantine: For vaccinated general travelers both Khmer traveling on Cambodian passport or Foreign passport with K-type Visa and Foreigners with E-type (Ordinary/Business) or C-type Visas, including valid multi-entry Extensions of Stay (ie. ER, EB, EG, ES).

14-Day Quarantine: For all travelers who have not had a complete course of the required COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to arrival.

Quarantine-related documents required for all travelers into Cambodia:

• Vaccination Card/Certificate (if vaccinated)
  • Confirmation of complete vaccination status
  • Final dose at least 14 days prior to arrival
  • Name, date of vaccinations, type of vaccine administered
• Forte COVID-19 Insurance
  •  All Foreigners must have a colour printed Forte COVID-19 Insurance policy
• Pre-flight PCR test
  • Made within 72 hours prior to departure
  • The original document must be presented
• Deposit or Alternate State Quarantine (ASQ) Hotel booking
  • Deposits are required below if no ASQ is booked
    • $600 – Vaccinated short-term foreign business travelers, investors, technical experts with a VAPI (Invitation) Certificate.
    • $1000 – Vaccinated General Foreigners
    • $2000 – Unvaccinated Foreigners

It was also noted by the moderators of the Cambodia Visa and Work Permit Group, that there is was specific mention of E-type Visas or the different E-type Visa Extension of Stay categories ie. EB, ER, EG, ES, etc. in the directive.

This is quite a good summary table (but some grey areas still exist):

Table courtesy of Cambodia Visa and Work Permit Group on Facebook.

For business visitors & investors to Cambodia

Although business visitors to Cambodia now could face reduced quarantine, the process still needs some clarification from the respective government bodies.

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) President Anthony Galliano said: “There is clear bias given to business travelers with priority given to spurring the economy, a continuation of stalled projects, and to stimulate faltering Foreign Direct Investment.”

EuroCham chairman Tassilo Brinzer also told the KT, “It seems a bit overly detailed and regulated – let’s face it, Cambodia has one of the most successful records in fighting Covid-19, including vaccination rates, and should proudly be opening again, equally for everyone with the respective safety certificate.”

VAPG and VAPI Certificates Cambodia

Registered companies have invited an inbound business visitor to Cambodia, that company will need to apply for a VAPG/VAPI Certificate to confirm “a technical expert or consultant”.  Then an E-type (Ordinary/Business) Visa from the Cambodian Embassy needs to be applied for and if successful they could potentially only need to stay 3 days in quarantine in the Kingdom.

If an assistant or family members are able to join, will depend on whether the company inviting the “technical expert or consultant” is willing to apply for VAPG/VAPI Certificates for them too.

Applications for VAPG/VAPI Certificates can be made here: https://vagi.registrationservices.gov.kh/

It was also reported on 19 October 2021 by the Khmer Times that the “Ministry of Economy and Finance has officially launched a system for requesting certificates of guarantee and invitations for travelers, investors and technical staff” for the new measures.

The guarantee and invitation mechanism (Validation Application On Guarantee/Invitation) is based on the Cambodia Data Exchange (CamDX) and is available online.

Notes on usage:

• These certificates are valid for 30 days
• Can be used only once
• VAGI Travellers must download the digital form and print it via the above website before traveling to Cambodia

Work Permits for Cambodia

The Cambodia Visa and Work Permit Group (Facebook) also discovered that a newly added feature in the WP application portal has been added, intended to allow for the application of a Cambodian Work Permit from overseas and costs KHR 520,000 (appx. USD $130). This is a direct result of the new directive on entry to Cambodia from October 18, 2021.

Work Permits can be applied for here: https://www.fwcms.mlvt.gov.kh/

Not all EB EOS holders are required to have a WP, ie. non-working dependent spouse/children, non-working foreigners married in Cambodia to a Cambodian citizen.

Cambodia Tourist e-Visas 2021

News confirmed on October 19 2021 that Cambodia had also reintroduced the e-VISA (Electronic Online Tourist Visa). E-visas can be applied for here: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

• Fee: USD $30 + $6 processing fee
• Validity for use to enter Cambodia: 3 months
• Period of Stay granted upon arrival: 30 Days
• Application Processing Time: 3 Working Days
• Quarantine for e-Visa holders Q4 2021
• Must have a pre-booked ASQ hotel to apply (so no deposit)
• 7 days if fully vaccinated
• 14 days if not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated
• Must have Forte COVID-19 Insurance Policy
• Must have Vaccination Card/Certificate if fully vaccinated
• Certain Nationalities are currently not eligible in the online drop-down box. These include US passport holders. (At time of publishing).

Visa-On-Arrival is still suspended (as of posting Oct 20, 2021). If you are looking to visit Cambodia as a tourist, we strongly suggest getting an E-Visa through: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

What vaccines does Cambodia accept?

The Khmer Times suggested that “Cambodia will recognise all vaccinations administered to inbound travelers irrespective of whether it has been approved by the World Health Organization or not.” (This still requires confirmation).

How will this impact the business in Cambodia?

One of the effects of these rushed announcements is the airlines not having routes and flights ready to facilitate any increased demand for travel to Cambodia. Most flights out and into Cambodia have been via cities in China, Singapore, Seoul (Korea) or Taipei (Taiwan), with several independent regulations and restrictions of travel for each transit hub.

No flights, for example, currently operate between Thailand or Malaysia and Cambodia, which traditionally would be two of the popular transit hubs for international flights.

State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) spokesman Chea Aun said in the short time since the directive, “there is still no change in the number of flights bringing potential visitors to the country.” He added “Moreover, most airlines are not ready to fly unless the number of passengers is high enough to justify the flights” reported the Khmer Times.

Although the directive is a positive move for Cambodia, with both Australia and Thailand announcing from November 1, 2021, they will be scrapping quarantine for visitors from various countries,  Singapore no longer requires quarantine for vaccinated travelers from an approved list of countries, and Bali in Indonesia has reduced quarantine to 5 days. It is expected Cambodia will still be far less attractive to potential visitors in the short term.

Source: https://www.realestate.com.kh/news/new-quarantine-and-travel-measures-cambodia/