PHNOM PENH: Cambodia will introduce a four-month pilot visa waiver for Chinese nationals as part of efforts to further boost inbound tourism from China, Minister of Tourism Huot Hak said on Saturday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Cambodia-China International Tourism Music Festival, held to mark the Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025 in Siem Reap province, H.E. Huot Hak said the initiative reflects the Royal Government’s strong commitment to revitalising and expanding tourism cooperation between the two countries.
The minister noted that the event, featuring a vibrant showcase of Cambodian and Chinese musical and cultural performances, was jointly organised to commemorate the 67th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China. He said it was held at a time when bilateral relations are being further strengthened and elevated, particularly following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Cambodia in April 2025, which injected new momentum into building a high-quality, high-standard, all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future.
H.E. Huot Hak announced that the Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to grant a visa exemption to Chinese passport holders for stays of up to 14 days under an initial four-month pilot programme, running from June 15 to Oct. 15, 2026. The trial period coincides with Cambodia’s green season.
During the pilot phase, Chinese nationals will be able to enter Cambodia without prior visa applications or visa fees. Travellers will only be required to complete the electronic arrival card (E-arrival card), he said.
“This decision represents a new and historic achievement in Cambodia-China tourism cooperation,” the Minister said. “It will help pave the way for broader collaboration between our two countries, especially by encouraging a greater flow of Chinese tourists to Cambodia.”
Tourism figures underscore the importance of the Chinese market to Cambodia’s recovery. In the first 10 months of 2025, Cambodia welcomed approximately 4.8 million international visitors, including around 1 million from China. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia received about 2.3 million Chinese tourists in 2019, accounting for roughly one-third of all international arrivals.
The latest data point to a clear and positive trend in the return of Chinese tourists and investors to Cambodia, reinforcing confidence in the continued recovery and growth of the country’s tourism sector, the minister said.