The government of Cambodia has issued a directive requiring Kenyan nationals residing in the country to leave by the end of May 2026, following the expiration of a temporary immigration waiver.
In a notice issued by the General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior, authorities said the waiver granted to Kenyan nationals, along with citizens of Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, and other African countries, will lapse at the end of May, bringing the arrangement to a close.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the General Department of Immigration, Ministry of Interior, wishes to inform all African nationals, including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and others, that the waiver granted to you will officially end on 31st of May 2026,” stated the government of Cambodia.
Cambodia Sets Exit Deadline for Kenyan Citizens
The immigration department stated that all affected individuals who have already cleared any outstanding fines must depart Cambodia before the deadline.
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“All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before 31st of May 2026.”
The ministry explained that once the waiver expires, any continued stay without proper documentation will be treated as a violation of immigration laws.
The directive follows a period during which the affected nationals were allowed to remain in the country on a case-by-case basis.
Strict Enforcement to Begin in June
According to the General Department of Immigration, enforcement measures will begin on June 1, 2026, targeting those who fail to comply with the directive.
The notice states that Kenyan citizens, along with others listed in the order, who enter or remain in Cambodia without valid legal status after the deadline will be arrested at airports or elsewhere in the country.
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The ministry outlined the penalties for non-compliance, warning that offenders risk jail time and financial penalties.
“Any foreign national who enters, remains, or is found in Cambodia from 1st of June 2026 will be arrested at the airport or at any location and shall serve a jail term of 2 (two) years; and pay a penalty of 8,000 (Eight Thousand US Dollars) before being allowed to leave Cambodia,” stated the government.
The Cambodian police have also been instructed to track down individuals who have overstayed the deadline, including those attempting to evade, and hand them over to immigration authorities for legal action.
The government of Cambodia stated that the directive signals the end of the temporary waiver and reinforces its commitment the adherence to immigration rules.
According to the notice, the changes are not targeted at specific groups but are part of standard enforcement following the expiry of a special arrangement.
Kenyan citizens and other affected African nationals are now expected to comply with the order before the May 31 deadline to avoid arrest, detention and fines.
