Cambodia Orders Africans To Leave By May 31, Warns Defaulters Of Jail, $8,000 Fine
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May 28, 2026
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*From Aidoghie Paulinus Abuja
Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration, under the Ministry of Interior, has directed all African nationals, including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and other African countries, to leave the country on or before May 31, 2026.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Director-General of the General Department of Immigration, Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak, and approved by the Cambodian Ministry of Interior’s Secretary of State, Gen. Sar Sokha.
According to the circular, the waiver previously granted to African nationals will officially expire on May 31, 2026.
The government warned that all foreign nationals who have settled their fines must leave Cambodia before the deadline.
It added that any foreigner found entering or remaining in Cambodia from June 1, 2026, would face arrest either at the airport or any other location within the country.
The authorities further stated that offenders would be sentenced to two years imprisonment and required to pay an $8,000 penalty before being allowed to leave Cambodia.
The Cambodian government also disclosed that police would begin a nationwide crackdown on foreigners overstaying in the country from June 1, 2026.
According to the notice, anyone arrested would be handed over to immigration authorities for further legal action.
“All concerned are hereby informed to strictly comply with this notice. The Royal Government of Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws,” the circular stated.
Efforts to get an official response from Cambodian authorities were unsuccessful, as calls placed to the Cambodian Immigration office were not answered.*
Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration, under the Ministry of Interior, has directed all African nationals, including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and other African countries, to leave the country on or before May 31, 2026.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Director-General of the General Department of Immigration, Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak, and approved by the Cambodian Ministry of Interior’s Secretary of State, Gen. Sar Sokha.
According to the circular, the waiver previously granted to African nationals will officially expire on May 31, 2026.
The government warned that all foreign nationals who have settled their fines must leave Cambodia before the deadline.
It added that any foreigner found entering or remaining in Cambodia from June 1, 2026, would face arrest either at the airport or any other location within the country.
The authorities further stated that offenders would be sentenced to two years imprisonment and required to pay an $8,000 penalty before being allowed to leave Cambodia.
The Cambodian government also disclosed that police would begin a nationwide crackdown on foreigners overstaying in the country from June 1, 2026.
According to the notice, anyone arrested would be handed over to immigration authorities for further legal action.
“All concerned are hereby informed to strictly comply with this notice. The Royal Government of Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws,” the circular stated.
Efforts to get an official response from Cambodian authorities were unsuccessful, as calls placed to the Cambodian Immigration office were not answered.*
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