Cambodia's Borders: 2,921 Offences in 9 Months, 373 Prosecuted

• 2,921 cases in nine months. Immigration checkpoints identified these criminal offences, most of them involving forged documents.
• 5,262 people, 93 nationalities. The problem is international and is not limited to one traveler profile.
• 2,287 cases on entry. They involve 4,271 people. 103 were arrested and referred to the courts; the rest were denied entry.
• 634 cases on exit. They involve 991 people. 270 were detained and referred to the courts, and 721 were identified as trafficking victims and allowed to return home.
• 373 people prosecuted in total. This figure is the sum of the 103 arrests on entry and the 270 detentions on exit.

The GDI's report covers a period, not a single event. Here are the known milestones, as reported by the Phnom Penh Post.

1. January to September 2026: immigration officers at border checkpoints (land and air) screen travelers and detect 2,921 cases of offences.
2. During entry checks: 2,287 cases are recorded, involving 4,271 people. Some were on watchlists. Others presented fake passports, fake visas or fake stamps. Still others had no clear reason for travel or held an invalid passport.
3. During exit checks: 634 cases are recorded, involving 991 people. 270 are referred to the courts and 721 are recognized as trafficking victims.
4. Over the same period, on prevention: the GDI stops 218 Cambodian nationals from leaving the country over fears that they would become trafficking victims. Meanwhile, 5,410 Cambodians leave through legal recruitment channels.
5. Over the same period, on returns: the GDI receives 5,568 Cambodians deported by foreign countries, often after criminal proceedings.
6. October 30, 2026: the Phnom Penh Post publishes the report, based on GDI figures.
7. What comes next: no new measures or dates are announced in the published data. Document checks continue.

The figures break down into entries, exits and follow-up actions. The totals add up: 2,287 + 634 = 2,921 cases, and 4,271 + 991 = 5,262 people.

For context, 5,568 Cambodians were deported back to their country over the period: 4,477 from Thailand, 387 from Malaysia, 334 from China and 199 from South Korea. The United States and Vietnam account for 56 each, Singapore 31, Japan 14, the Philippines 8, and Laos and Canada 3 each.

• Careful document checks on arrival. At Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport as well as at land crossings, officers examine your passport, visa and stamps. A clean file goes through without difficulty.
• The official visa remains the safe route. The reported cases mainly target forged documents. An e-visa or a visa issued through official channels is not affected.
• Unofficial intermediaries are becoming a risk. A stamp or visa obtained outside official channels can be judged counterfeit, with criminal consequences for the traveler.
• Exits are checked too. 634 cases were recorded on departure. A passport in good order and consistent stamps make the process smoother.
• Your reason for travel must be clear. Some travelers were turned back because they had no clear reason for travel. A return ticket, a booking or proof of residence helps when answering questions.

1. Step 1: Check your passport's validity before every trip. Verify the required validity period (generally six months) and the number of blank pages available.
2. Step 2: Apply for your visa only through official channels: the Cambodian government's e-visa portal or the border counter. Steer clear of offers that seem too good to be true.
3. Step 3: Check your stamps every time you cross a border. The date, visa type and length of stay should be legible and correct.
4. Step 4: Use an immigration office or a recognized agency for any extension or change of status. Keep your receipts.
5. Step 5: Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and proof of residence, accessible offline.
6. Step 6: Prepare answers to routine questions: reason for travel, address in Siem Reap, return ticket or proof of residence. Be consistent and precise.
7. Step 7: Check official information or your embassy's website before traveling. Immigration rules change.