KhmerTimes-July 14, 2026
Cambodia recorded a decline in international arrivals and visa extensions in the first half of 2026, but immigration authorities said the trend reflects stricter border controls aimed at combating online scam operations, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes. Speaking at a press conference, Lieutenant General Sok Veasna, director-general of the General Department of Immigration, said Cambodia welcomed about 2.3 million international arrivals from January to June, down from the same period in 2025. He attributed the decline partly to global economic uncertainty and armed conflicts affecting travel, noting that many countries have experienced similar trends. Of the 2.3 million arrivals, about 920,000 foreign nationals applied for visas through embassies abroad, the e-Visa system or visa-on-arrival services. Long-stay applications mirrored the decline in arrivals. Around 450,000 foreigners extended their stay in Cambodia during the first half of 2026, nearly 20% fewer than during the same period last year. Cambodia has been combating online scams, which in the past several years have affected its reputation. The technology-based crimes involve syndicates offering lucrative job offers to individuals from other countries to lure them into the country and force them to assist in scamming people worldwide.
Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute, said the government must eradicate the scam industry to restore the country’s reputation. Read more at:
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501942338/arrival-numbers-drop-amid-sweeping-crackdown-on-cyber-fraud/
