Cambodia Orders African Nationals to Leave by May 31 or Face Jail Time, $8,000 Penalty

Cambodia Orders African Nationals to Leave by May 31 or Face Jail Time, $8,000 Penalty.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has issued a firm directive ordering all African nationals currently in the country to leave before the end of May 2026. Those who fail to do so will be arrested, jailed, and fined.

The announcement, signed by Lieutenant General Som Sopheak, Director General of the General Department of Immigration, and approved by General Sar Sokha of the Ministry of Interior, states that the current waiver granted to African visitors will end on May 31, 2026.

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According to the official notice, any African national who stays beyond that date will face serious consequences starting June 1. The government says anyone caught overstaying will serve a two‑year prison sentence and pay a penalty of $8,000 before being allowed to leave the country.

The notice applies to citizens from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and other African nations. Cambodian police have been instructed to begin arresting overstayers at airports, hotels, or any other hiding places from the first day of June.

The decision has already drawn sharp comments on social media. One user wrote, “This is a very bad signal. Direct message to Africans to go back home and fix their countries.” That sentiment has been shared widely across platforms, with many seeing the move as a warning to African travelers and workers in Southeast Asia.

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Cambodia is not the only country taking this kind of step. South Africa, which is also an African nation, has recently asked other African nationals to leave its country. Many people have pointed out the painful irony in that situation, noting that citizens from neighboring African countries once fought alongside South Africans during their struggle for freedom.

For now, all African nationals in Cambodia are expected to follow the order or face arrest. The government made it clear that it will not tolerate any violations of its immigration laws.

Toktok9ja Media will continue to follow this story and provide updates as new information becomes available.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE BELOW:

OFFICIAL NOTICEFOR ALL AFRICAN NATIONALS IN THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA (GHANA, KENYA, CAMEROON, UGANDA AND OTHERS)

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 2026.1. All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before 31st of May 2026.2. 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; andPay a penalty of $8,000 (Eight Thousand US Dollars) before being allowed to leave Cambodia.3. The Cambodia Police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from 1st of June 2026 for overstay and will hand over to the immigration authorities for legal action.All concerned are hereby informed to strictly comply with this notice. The Royal Government of Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws.Your cooperation is highly appreciated.

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ISSUED BY: LT. GEN. SOM SOPHEAK, DIRECTOR GENERAL, GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGR

APPROVED BY: GEN. SAR SOKHA SECRETARY OF STATE MINISTRY OF INTERIORR