Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni waves from a vehicle to his government civil servants during the country’s 70th Independence Day, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov 9, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)
African nationals in Cambodia have just days to pack up and leave — or risk two years behind bars and an $8,000 fine.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior has put foreign nationals from across Africa on notice, with an official directive ordering them to depart the Southeast Asian nation by May 31, 2026. The order, contained in an official notice issued by the General Department of Immigration, is addressed to “all African nationals in the Kingdom of Cambodia (Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and others).”
The notice signals the end of a grace period that had allowed some African residents to remain in the country despite prior immigration violations. “The waiver granted to you will officially end on the 31st of May 2026,” it states, adding that “All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before the 31st of May 2026.”
Penalties for those who ignore the deadline are severe. Anyone found in Cambodia from June 1 faces arrest at the airport or at any other location, with offenders required to serve “a jail term of 2 (two) years” and pay a fine of “$8,000 (Eight Thousand US Dollars)” before being removed from the country.
Enforcement will not be limited to ports of entry. According to the notice, “The Cambodia Police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from 1st of June 2026 for overstaying and will hand over to the immigration authorities for legal action.”
The directive bears the signature of Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak, Director General of the General Department of Immigration, and was approved by Gen. Sar Sokha, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Interior, underscoring the high-level political weight behind the move.
The crackdown is part of a broader push by Phnom Penh to tighten immigration compliance. Earlier this year, Cambodia deported 372 foreigners from 18 nationalities — including Kenyans, Ghanaians, Nigerians and Ugandans — in a single two-day operation in February, citing illegal border crossings, expired passports, and unauthorised employment. A separate operation in March resulted in the deportation of 1,121 foreign nationals, with Cambodian authorities citing suspected online fraud, illegal entry, visa overstays, and forgery as the main grounds.
Authorities say the latest notice is intended to enforce compliance with domestic immigration law. However, the directive is expected to cause significant anxiety among African communities currently living and working in Cambodia, many of whom may have limited time or resources to arrange departure before the deadline expires.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah