Cambodia launches visa-free entry for Chinese passport holders from June 15

The pilot program covers mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau passport holders, allowing multiple entries and stays of up to 14 days per visit

Cambodia has opened its doors to Chinese visitors without a visa starting today, June 15, 2026, under a four-month pilot program that runs through October 15. The scheme covers holders of People's Republic of China passports, including travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, according to Khmer Times.

Eligible visitors can enter Cambodia multiple times during the trial period and stay for up to 14 days on each trip. The only administrative requirement is completing Cambodia's digital E-Arrival Card before landing, which does away with visa fees and drawn-out application processes altogether.

China already leads Cambodia's tourism numbers

The timing of the program is no accident. China is currently Cambodia's biggest source of international tourists. According to Khmer Times, the Ministry of Tourism recorded 331,199 Chinese visitors in the first four months of 2026, putting China ahead of traditional front-runners like Vietnam and Thailand.

That said, the numbers tell a more complicated story. Chinese arrivals during that January-to-April window actually fell 14.5 percent compared to the same stretch in 2025, reflecting wider pressures on global travel from economic uncertainty and changing consumer habits.

Over the full year of 2025, Cambodia welcomed more than 1.2 million Chinese visitors, a 41.5 percent jump from 2024, showing the overall recovery trajectory remains strong despite the recent dip.

Tourism minister confident in the program's impact

Tourism Minister Huot Hak spoke to more than 11 major Chinese media organizations on June 13, pitching Cambodia as a destination ready to handle a significant uptick in Chinese visitors.

He pointed to the market's size as a reason for optimism, telling Khmer Times that "Chinese tourists ranked first among international visitor arrivals to Cambodia, reflecting the strong potential of the Chinese tourism market for Cambodia's tourism sector."

Hak also sought to reassure prospective travelers about the quality of the experience waiting for them. "Cambodia is a safe, friendly, and welcoming tourism destination, fully prepared to receive tourists and investors from around the world," he said. "We are ready to provide a warm welcome, excellent service, and unforgettable travel experience."

Beyond tourism, the minister said authorities expect the visa waiver to deliver benefits for investment and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Industry voices welcome the move

The response from Cambodia's private tourism sector has been enthusiastic. Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, called it a milestone the industry had been anticipating. She told Khmer Times that she believes "this visa exemption will provide us with highly satisfactory results" and urged the private sector to work alongside the government to spread the word among Chinese travelers and highlight Cambodia's improvements in safety, service quality, and tourism infrastructure.

Khiev Thy, President of the Siem Reap Angkor Guides Association, said the program arrives at a moment when it is needed most. With visitor growth slowing in Siem Reap due to global economic headwinds and regional instability, he sees the visa waiver as a critical tool for pulling Chinese tourists back to the country's most famous cultural sites.

What the program means for Cambodia's economy

Tourism is one of the pillars of Cambodia's national economy, driving employment, generating foreign exchange, and fueling growth in key destinations like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Preah Sihanouk province. The visa-free initiative is part of the government's wider push to revive the sector and strengthen economic cooperation with China.

Officials have said the program will be closely monitored throughout the trial period, and any decision about whether to make it permanent or extend it will depend on the results observed over the next four months.