Planning a trip or long-term stay in Cambodia? Immigration terminology can be confusing, especially if you're applying for a visa, extending your stay, or dealing with work permits.
This glossary explains over 100 common Cambodia visa and immigration terms in plain English.
A
Term
Meaning
Arrival Card
Information submitted before or upon entering Cambodia (where applicable).
Arrival Stamp
Entry stamp placed in your passport by immigration.
Approved Entry
Permission granted to enter Cambodia.
Applicant
The person applying for a visa or immigration service.
Authorized Stay
The period you are legally allowed to remain in Cambodia.
B
Term
Meaning
Biometrics
Fingerprints, facial photo, or other identification collected during immigration procedures.
Border Crossing
Official land border checkpoint for entering or leaving Cambodia.
Business Activities
Activities related to employment, investment, or operating a business.
Business Visa
Common name for the Ordinary (E-Class) Visa and its EB Extension of Stay.
Blacklist
Immigration restriction preventing entry into Cambodia.
C
Term
Meaning
Cambodian Embassy
Cambodian diplomatic mission overseas that issues visas and provides consular services.
Cambodian Consulate
Government office providing selected visa and consular services.
Cancellation
Ending or withdrawing a visa or immigration application.
Consular Officer
Embassy official responsible for visa services.
Customs
Government authority responsible for goods entering or leaving Cambodia.
D
Term
Meaning
Departure Stamp
Immigration stamp showing the date you left Cambodia.
Deportation
Removal from Cambodia under immigration law.
Digital Arrival
Cambodia's electronic arrival registration system (e-Arrival).
Document Verification
Process of checking documents for authenticity.
Dual Nationality
Holding citizenship of two countries.
E
Term
Meaning
E-Class Visa
Cambodia's Ordinary Visa used as the basis for many long-term stays.
EB Extension
Extension of Stay commonly used by business owners and employees.
EG Extension
Extension of Stay for eligible job seekers.
ER Extension
Extension of Stay for eligible retirees.
ES Extension
Extension of Stay for eligible students.
Entry Clearance
Permission to enter Cambodia.
Entry Requirements
Conditions travelers must meet before entering Cambodia.
Exit Visa
Permission required in limited circumstances before leaving Cambodia.
e-Arrival
Cambodia's official electronic arrival registration platform.
eVisa
Cambodia's official online tourist or ordinary visa application system (for eligible categories).
F
Term
Meaning
Fingerprints
Biometric identification used by immigration authorities when applicable.
Foreign Resident
A non-Cambodian citizen living in Cambodia.
FPCS
Foreigners Present in Cambodia System used to register foreign residents.
Final Approval
Official decision granting a visa or immigration request.
Frequent Traveler
Person who regularly enters Cambodia.
G
Term
Meaning
General Department of Immigration (GDI)
Cambodia's primary immigration authority.
Good Standing
Maintaining legal immigration status.
Government Fee
Official fee charged for immigration services.
Grace Period
Additional time allowed under specific legal circumstances (if applicable).
H
Term
Meaning
Home Address
Registered residential address.
Host
Person or organization inviting a foreign visitor.
Hotel Registration
Registration of foreign guests by hotels with immigration authorities.
I
Term
Meaning
Immigration
Government authority responsible for entry, stay, and departure of foreigners.
Immigration Officer
Official responsible for passport and visa control.
Immigration Stamp
Official entry or exit stamp in your passport.
Invitation Letter
Letter supporting certain visa applications.
Identity Verification
Confirmation of an applicant's identity.
J
Term
Meaning
Job Offer
Employment offer from a Cambodian employer.
Job Seeker Visa
Common name for the EG Extension of Stay.
K
Term
Meaning
Khmer
Cambodia's official language and the nationality of Cambodian citizens.
L
Term
Meaning
Land Border
Official checkpoint between Cambodia and neighboring countries.
Legal Stay
Remaining in Cambodia with valid immigration status.
Long-Term Stay
Extended residence through an approved Extension of Stay.
M
Term
Meaning
Multiple Entry
Permission to enter and leave Cambodia multiple times during the validity of certain visa extensions.
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT)
Government ministry responsible for work permits.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry overseeing embassies and diplomatic relations.
N
Term
Meaning
Nationality
Country of citizenship.
Naturalization
Legal process of acquiring Cambodian citizenship under applicable laws.
Non-Immigrant
A foreign national staying temporarily.
O
Term
Meaning
Ordinary Visa
Another name for the E-Class Visa.
Overstay
Remaining in Cambodia after your authorized stay expires.
Overstay Penalty
Fine or other consequences for overstaying.
Official Passport
Passport issued for government business.
P
Term
Meaning
Passport
Official travel document issued by your country.
Passport Validity
Remaining validity period before passport expiration.
Passport Number
Unique passport identification number.
Permit
Government authorization for a specific activity.
Police Clearance
Criminal record certificate issued by the relevant authority.
Port of Entry
Airport, seaport, or land border where travelers enter Cambodia.
Processing Time
Estimated time needed to complete an application.
Proof of Address
Document confirming your Cambodian residence.
Q
Term
Meaning
Quarantine
Health-related isolation requirement if imposed by authorities.
R
Term
Meaning
Re-entry
Returning to Cambodia after leaving.
Refusal
Immigration decision denying entry or an application.
Renewal
Extending the validity of an immigration document.
Residence Certificate
Official proof of residence issued by the local Sangkat or Commune.
Residence Permit
General immigration term; Cambodia primarily uses visas and Extensions of Stay rather than a separate residence permit system.
S
Term
Meaning
Sangkat
Urban administrative subdivision where many local documents are issued.
Single Entry
Visa allowing one entry into Cambodia.
Sponsor
Individual or organization supporting an immigration application.
Student Visa
Common term for the ES Extension of Stay.
Stay Period
Length of time a foreign national is authorized to remain.
T
Term
Meaning
Tourist Visa (T-Class)
Visa intended for tourism.
Transit
Passing through Cambodia en route to another destination.
Travel Document
Passport or other official document permitting international travel.
Travel Insurance
Insurance covering travel-related risks.
U
Term
Meaning
Unauthorized Employment
Working without meeting applicable legal requirements.
Update of Address
Reporting a change of residence when required.
V
Term
Meaning
Visa
Permission to seek entry into Cambodia.
Visa Extension
General term often used for an Extension of Stay.
Visa Fee
Government fee for a visa or immigration service.
Visa-Free Entry
Entry without obtaining a visa, available only to eligible nationalities.
Visa Interview
Interview required for certain visa processes where applicable.
Visa Label
Physical visa sticker placed in a passport.
Visa on Arrival
Visa available at selected ports of entry for eligible travelers.
Visa Overstay
Staying beyond the permitted period.
Visa Validity
Period during which a visa can be used for entry.
W
Term
Meaning
Waiting Period
Time while an application is under review.
Work Authorization
Legal permission to work in Cambodia where required.
Work Permit
Document issued by MLVT allowing eligible foreign nationals to work.
X
Term
Meaning
X-Ray Inspection
Security screening that may occur at airports or border checkpoints.
Y
Term
Meaning
Yearly Extension
Informal term for a 12-month Extension of Stay.
Z
Term
Meaning
Zero Overstay
Leaving or renewing your status before your authorized stay expires.
Frequently Confused Terms
Term
Difference
E-Class Visa vs EB Extension
The E-Class Visa is the initial entry visa; the EB Extension is a long-term Extension of Stay that may be obtained after entry if eligible.
Visa vs Work Permit
A visa or Extension of Stay allows you to remain in Cambodia; a Work Permit is labour authorization where required by law.
Tourist Visa vs Ordinary Visa
Tourist Visas are intended for tourism; Ordinary (E-Class) Visas are the starting point for several long-term Extension of Stay categories.
Visa Validity vs Authorized Stay
Visa validity refers to when a visa may be used, while authorized stay refers to how long you may remain in Cambodia after entry.
Residence Certificate vs FPCS
A Residence Certificate is official proof of address from the local authority, while FPCS is the foreign resident registration system managed through accommodation providers.
Bookmark this glossary as you read other Cambodia visa guides. Immigration terminology can be technical, and understanding the difference between terms such as Ordinary Visa, Extension of Stay, Work Permit, and Residence Certificate will make it much easier to navigate Cambodia's immigration system.
TravelKH Disclaimer
TravelKH provides this glossary for general informational purposes only. Definitions are simplified to help readers understand common immigration terminology and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
Immigration laws, visa categories, procedures, and official terminology may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant Cambodian government authority before applying for any visa, extension, permit, or immigration service.
TravelKH is an independent travel information website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Royal Government of Cambodia.
