The Royal Government of Cambodia has issued a stern immigration directive ordering African nationals currently residing in the country to leave before May 31, 2026, warning that anyone found remaining in the country illegally after the deadline would face arrest, imprisonment, and heavy financial penalties.
The directive is contained in an official notice issued by the General Department of Immigration under Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, addressed to African nationals including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and others, stating that an existing waiver granted to affected foreigners would officially expire on May 31, 2026.
The circular was signed by the Director-General of the General Department of Immigration, Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak, and approved by the Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, Gen. Sar Sokha. It stated that all foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before May 31, 2026, and that any foreign national found in Cambodia from June 1, 2026 will be arrested at the airport or at any location.
Offenders face a jail term of two years and a penalty of $8,000 before being allowed to leave the country. The Cambodian government further stated that police would begin arresting any foreigner found at any hideout in Cambodia from June 1 for overstaying, and would hand over those arrested to immigration authorities for legal action.
The notice warns that the Royal Government will not tolerate any violation of immigration laws and urges strict compliance.
It should be noted that the directive specifically targets foreign nationals currently benefiting from a temporary immigration waiver arrangement. It applies to those who were already in an irregular or waiver-based immigration status, not necessarily all African nationals in Cambodia.
Affected individuals are urged to act immediately given that the deadline is this Saturday, May 31, 2026 which is just three days away.
