On December 3, 2025, the Ministry of Tourism issued Notification No. 334 to announce the implementation of a visa exemption pilot scheme for Chinese nationals traveling from the People’s Republic of China aimed at increasing Chinese tourist arrivals to Cambodia.
Under the pilot scheme, Chinese tourists will be exempt from visa requirements for distinct stays of up to 14 days each during the four-month period from June 15 to October 15, 2026, with multiple entries allowed. During the pilot period, eligible travelers will not be required to submit a visa application or pay any visa-related fees; they will only need to complete an E-arrival card.
On October 7, 2025, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (“MPWT”) issued Notification No. 065 to inform all shipping companies, shipowners, and operators of cross-border transport vessels that the Vietnamese authorities have strengthened the enforcement of laws governing cross-border transport operations.
Accordingly, all vessels engaged in commercial transport activities, including the carriage of goods or passengers from Cambodia to Vietnam are now required to obtain a border crossing vessel permit.
Thus, shipping companies operating cross-border transport should ensure that all vessels possess valid permits to avoid potential delays, penalties, or denial of entry.
Permit application requirements
Applications for border crossing vessel permits must submitted to the MWPT’s Waterway Transport Department of the General Department of Waterway, Sea and Port Transport.
The following documents must be attached with the application form:
Valid shipowner identification card
Ship-related document, such as a ship identification card or a domestic waterway vessel registration certificate
Vessel technical inspection certificate
Waterway transport business certificate
Insurance policy or relevant insurance certificate
Letter of criminal record
Business registration certificate
Company’s articles of incorporation:
Validity period
Border crossing vessel permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance.
On September 17, 2025, Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training issued Prakas No. 214/25 on the minimum wage for workers in 2026. Starting January 1, 2026, the minimum monthly wage for workers in the textile, garment, footwear, travel goods, and bag industries will increase by US$2, raising the minimum wage from US$208 to US$210 per month.
Probationary workers will receive a minimum wage of US$208 per month during their probation period. After probation, their wage will increase to US$210 per month.
For workers receiving piece-rate pay (i.e. based on their production output), wages will be calculated according to the actual quantity produced. If their earnings fall below the set minimum wage during the probation period or subsequently, employers must top up their pay to meet the minimum wage thresholds.
All other benefits workers currently receive will remain unchanged.
Any previous regulations that conflict with this new minimum wage will be considered null and void.
On September 18, 2025, the Royal Government of Cambodia issued Sub-Decree No. 167, officially establishing the public holiday calendar for 2026. In total, civil servants, employees, and workers across Cambodia will be entitled to 22 days of paid public holidays in 2026, covering a mix of national days, traditional days, and religious observances, as shown in the table below.
Date
Occasion
No. of Days
January 1
New Year’s Day
1 day
January 7
Victory Over the Genocide Day
1 day
March 8
International Women’s Day
1 day
April 14, 15, 16
Khmer New Year
3 days
May 1
International Labor Day & Visakha Bucha Day
1 day
May 5
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
1 day
May 14
Royal Birthday of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni
1 day
June 18
Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday
1 day
September 24
Constitution Day
1 day
October 10, 11, 12
Royal Pchum Ben Festival
3 days
October 15
Commemoration Day of King Father Norodom Sihanouk
1 day
October 29
Coronation Day of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni
1 day
November 9
Cambodia’s Independence Day
1 day
November 23, 24, 25
Cambodian Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
3 days
December 29
Peace Day
1 day
This Sub-Decree applies to all workers covered under the Cambodian Labor Law. Employers are advised to review the 2026 holiday calendar carefully to ensure full compliance with the labor regulations.
Entities whose operations are continuous and global in nature, and where shutting down entirely during public holidays would either be detrimental to the public interest or significantly disrupt business operations, may implement rotational leave schedules, allowing workers to take public holidays in turns. If even rotational leave is impractical, employers and worker representatives may mutually agree to have employees work on a public holiday in exchange for alternative leave at another time.
Such agreements may be guided by company rules, collective agreements, or direct agreements between employers and workers.
Employers must keep records of these arrangements for labor inspection. Temporary staff can be hired to cover workers on leave during this time.
On August 8, 2025, the Ministry of Economy and Financeissued Prakas No. 632 establishing a 0% customs duty on eligible goods imported into Cambodia from the United States of America. On the same date, the General Department of Customs and Excise (“GDCE”) issued Prakas No. 3724/25 on the Customs Formality Procedures for Goods Originating from the United States of America and Imported from the United States of America. Taken together, these two related Prakas establish the legal basis and customs procedures for applying a 0% customs duty rate on qualifying US-origin goods. Any existing regulations or provisions that contradict these Prakas are considered null and void.
Key Provisions
0% customs duty rate: A customs duty rate of 0% will apply to eligible goods originating from the US and directly consigned to Cambodia.
Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for the 0% customs duty, the goods must originate from the US and be shipped directly to Cambodia without transshipment. This exemption does not apply to used goods, which are explicitly excluded from the scope of the Prakas. The specific criteria for identifying used goods will be determined and clarified by the GDCE.
Proof of origin: Importers must submit appropriate proof of origin using the forms and procedures prescribed by the GDCE to benefit from the 0% customs duty rate.
Effective date: The 0% customs duty rate applies to goods that are loaded onto the means of transport in the US on or after August 8, 2025.
GDCE Procedural Requirements and Eligibility Conditions
The GDCE has outlined specific procedural requirements and eligibility conditions, especially for motor vehicles.
Eligible vehicle criteria
Cars must meet the following conditions to be eligible for the 0% customs duty rate:
Be manufactured in the US;
Be vehicles with a model year of: one year before the current year; the current year; or one year after the current year;
Have less than 5,000 kilometers on the odometer; and
Be in good condition, with no signs of collision, damage, or alteration.
Motorcycles, tricycles, and ATVs must meet the following conditions to be eligible for the 0% customs duty rate:
Be manufactured in the US;
Be vehicles with a model year of: one year before the current year; the current year; or one year after the current year;
Have less than 2,000 kilometers on the odometer; and
Be in original, undamaged condition.
Customs formalities to access the 0% customs duty rate
On July 5, 2025, the Commercial Gambling Management Commission (“CGMC”) issued a notification to emphasize that legal commercial gambling operations in Cambodia are strictly regulated under national law and summarize the key provisions.
Legal Framework
Under Article 35 of the Law on Commercial Gambling Management, only legal entities holding a valid license may conduct commercial gambling. Additionally, no individual may represent a licensee or operator unless duly authorized under such law.
Article 74 of the Law on the Control of Commercial Gaming further mandates that a commercial gaming operator may only conduct games if:
The type of game has received prior approval from the CGMC, and the approval remains valid;
The game is conducted according to the approved gaming rules; and
The game is operated by personnel holding a special license issued by the CGMC.
Mandatory Compliance for Legal Operation
To operate casino games in full compliance with Cambodian law, entities must:
Hold a valid casino license issued by the CGMC and operate only at the location specified in that license.
Possess a registration certificate covering the type of game, gaming rules.
Use gaming equipment and/or software that is registered and approved by the CGMC, identified by a CGMC sticker affixed to the equipment.
Noncompliance with any of these legal requirements may result in enforcement action, penalties, or revocation of operating rights.
On July 1, 2025, Cambodia officially introduced the visitor pass (known as “v-Pass”) system, a digital immigration authorization system that replaces physical passport stamps and QR code stickers for foreign travelers entering and exiting the country. This initiative is part of the Cambodian government’s broader commitment to advancing its digital economy, and aims to modernize border control and enhance the efficiency of immigration procedures.
The v-Pass system is now mandatory at all international points of entry, including airports and seaports across Cambodia. Upon arrival, foreign nationals will no longer receive an inked stamp in their passports. Instead, immigration officers will process entries electronically and issue a digital visitor pass directly to travelers via email. This digital pass can also be accessed through the official Cambodia e-Arrival website (https://arrival.gov.kh/) or the Cambodia e-Arrival mobile application, available on Google Play, the Apple App Store, and the Huawei App Gallery.
The procedure is as follows:
Upon entry: Travelers present their passports to the immigration officials, who electronically record the entry and issue a digital v-Pass via email. Travelers should keep this digital pass accessible during their stay.
During their stay: The v-Pass may be requested for verification and can be shown on a mobile device or printed out. Travelers must comply with the authorized duration of stay indicated on their v-Pass.
Upon departure: Travelers present their passport at the departure immigration, where their exit is electronically recorded. No physical exit stamp is required.
On May 30, 2025, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (“MLVT”) issued Notification No. 018/25 on the requirement for entities to submit their labor inspection self-declaration by June 30, 2025.
Effective immediately, all entities that fall within the purview of the Labor Law are required to submit their labor inspection self-declaration through the MLVT’s online system at https://sicms.mlvt.gov.kh. The self-declarations must be completed twice annually June 30 and December 31.
Failure to submit these declarations by the stipulated deadlines will result in the imposition of fines and direct enforcement action by the MLVT’s labor inspectors. Entities should be sure to fully comply with this requirement to avoid any penalties.
