scfphoto

Several people have mentioned they obtained their visa for Cambodia ahead of time and avoided the long lines at Siem Reap airport. I have searched the guide book I have and there is no mention of how to do this. What is the process? Can it be done by mail or does one have to go to a Cambodian consulate here in the USA? Thanks for any help.

rhkkmk

i used their embassy in washington...the forms are on line...google cambodia embassy+usa....

offwego

Go to
http://www.embassy.org/cambodia/
Click on Consular Services

download the forms, fill them out, send them, some photos and your passport fed ex or some priority service as outlined in the instructions. Allow a few weeks just in case of delays.

I liked not having to stand in the line at Siem Reap airport.

LA_FadeAway

Given that you need to use a trackable method (i.e. Fed Ex) both ways so that they don't lose your passport, it seems you would be paying double or triple the price of the visa. I might just wait in line instead. I guess it depends on how much the convenience is worth to you.

Kathie

You can do trackable via US mail. I usually use Priority mail as it's much less expensive than Fed Ex.

laurieco

Just ask for "return receipt requested" if sending through US mail. This way you know if and when the embassy received it.

LA_FadeAway

That's a good idea. I still feel strange shipping my passport away. I'd freak if it got lost!

hawaiiantraveler

I know what you mean lafadeaway....I'm thinking a 20 minute wait is not that bad after all I'm on vacation.
Aloha!

Kathie

I know. It always makes me anxious to let my passport out of my hands!

Craig

Well, I have no problem "shipping my passport away". Of course I'll only do it if there is plenty of time before my vacation. Unlike the above poster that is willing to waste twenty minutes of his/her vacation time waiting in line, I am not - vacation time is valuable and should not be wasted on anything as mundane as that. I am willing to pay for the privilage.

laurieco

When I got my visa, I got it in Phnom Penh at the airport there and it took all of 5 minutes, including standing on line. Getting one in Laos at the airport in Vientienne took maybe 10-15. If I could get my visa on arrival, I will. If I must get it before arrival, I usually go to the consulate for that country here in NY to get it. When I went to Vietnam, I had to send to the embassy in D.C. as there is no consulate in NY. For me, it's not a matter of spending the extra money to send it, the round trip on the subway probably costs more. I don't like to trust my passport to the US mail, even with precautions. My vacation time is also valuable but my passport is even more valuable. 20 minutes doesn't seem like a big deal for the peace of mind.

dperry

I got my visa at the airport in Cambodia in october 2004. there was no wait. the whole thing took 10 minutes tops.
I am returning there this april and will again obtain my visa in this manner.

Scotters

I don'n know about wasting vacation time as you will probably have your visa before your bags are ready to be picked up. As people say it is a quick and easy process to get the visa at the airport.

rhkkmk

i send mine by regular mail just like jewelers send diamonds...

MaryW

At Siem Reap we only waited a few minutes for our visa and were out before the bags. One thing about getting it there - when you enter the airport there are either 4 or 5 immigration people sitting behind a counter. Unlike most other places they do not all take people individually but you have to all queque up before the first of the immigration officers who takes your passport and forms and does his little bit then it gets handed down the line of the counter and you progress with it. Each officer adds his little bit or checks his bit.

MaryW

Sorry about the spelling!!!!

offwego

We were the last people off the plane. it was dark. All windows and doors at the airport terminal were open since it's not air conditioned and all the lights were on. Therefore every bug in Southeast Asia was flying around in the terminal and it was HOT. Just about everyone on the plane was in the queue for their visa. Only about 3 people headed straight to immigration.

I don't know if the others stood there for 5 minutes or an hour because we already had our visas and were outta there. I was glad.

Clif

We flew from HCMC to Siem Reap last Thursday. We got our visas at the airport in 15 minutes or so with no problems. Bring two passport photos - one for the visa and one for the temple pass.