By Gloria Drealomalicha
The Royal Government of Cambodia has issued a stern immigration warning directing African nationals residing illegally in the country to leave before May 31, 2026, or face arrest, imprisonment and hefty fines.
The directive was announced in an official notice released by Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior. The warning applies to several African nationals, including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and other countries currently living in Cambodia under an immigration waiver programme.
According to the notice, the temporary waiver granted to affected foreigners will officially expire on May 31, 2026, after which strict enforcement measures will begin nationwide.
“All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before 31st May 2026,” the statement said.
Cambodian authorities stressed that anyone found remaining in the country illegally from June 1 would be treated as an immigration offender and subjected to immediate arrest.
“Any foreign national who enters, remains or is found in Cambodia from 1st June 2026 will be arrested at the airport or at any location,” the notice added.
The government warned that offenders could face up to two years in prison and fines of as much as $8,000 before being deported from the Southeast Asian nation.
Authorities further disclosed that security agencies would launch nationwide operations targeting undocumented foreigners immediately after the deadline expires.
“The Cambodia Police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from 1st June 2026 for overstay and will hand over to the immigration authorities for legal action,” the statement noted.
The latest warning has sparked concern among African communities living in Cambodia, particularly those struggling with expired travel documents, financial hardship or unresolved immigration issues.
Cambodian officials, however, insisted that the country would no longer tolerate violations of its immigration laws and urged all affected individuals to comply with the directive before the deadline.
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