Cambodia: 72,426 Foreigners Deported, Record 2026 Pace

• 72,426 deportations. That's the total number of foreign nationals deported from Cambodia between September 1, 2023 and September 13, 2026, according to the Ministry of Interior.
• 96 nationalities. Those deported come from 96 different countries, including 8,994 women, according to deputy spokesperson Touch Sokhak.
• Record 2026 pace. The number of deportations recorded in 2026 alone exceeds the previous two years combined.
• Official breakdown. The ministry published a country-by-country breakdown for the eleven most represented national groups.
• Immigration signal. This acceleration reflects a tightening of immigration controls and enforcement of residency rules.

The Ministry of Interior's announcement covers three years of strengthened enforcement of immigration rules. Here are the key milestones.

1. September 1, 2023: start of the reference period used by the Ministry of Interior for counting deportations.
2. 2023-2024: first waves of targeted checks, particularly on online scam networks and irregular stays.
3. 2025: ramp-up of joint operations between immigration, police, and provincial authorities.
4. 2026: marked acceleration — the annual pace alone exceeds the combined total of the previous two years.
5. September 13, 2026: closing date of the official count announced by deputy spokesperson Touch Sokhak.
6. September 19, 2026: public release of the report and nationality breakdown for the eleven main groups.
7. Upcoming: continued reinforced controls announced, with ongoing visa and administrative compliance checks.

The Ministry of Interior provided a nationality breakdown for the eleven largest groups, as well as a profile breakdown. Detailed country-by-country figures remain available from the authorities; here is the structure of the published report.

• Stricter visa checks. Validity and visa type verifications are becoming more frequent, including for long stays in Siem Reap.
• Zero tolerance for overstays. Overstaying, even briefly, carries a higher risk of fines, bans, or deportation.
• Watch out for undeclared activities. Working without a work permit, undeclared teaching, or unregistered business are grounds for deportation that are being applied more systematically.
• Keep administrative files up to date. Work permit, registered address, and residency documents must be consistent and available during checks.
• Impact on employers and agencies. Siem Reap businesses employing foreigners must verify each file's compliance to avoid penalties.

1. Step 1: Check your visa expiration date and start the renewal at least two weeks before it expires.
2. Step 2: Make sure your work permit is valid and matches the activity you actually perform.
3. Step 3: Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, visa, work permit, and proof of address.
4. Step 4: Declare any professional or business activity to the relevant authorities before starting it.
5. Step 5: Avoid gray areas: unauthorized online gambling, undeclared employment, extended stays without legal basis.
6. Step 6: During a check, stay calm, present your documents, and if necessary request assistance from your embassy.
7. Step 7: Follow official Ministry of Interior announcements and consular alerts to anticipate any rule changes.