Amanze Chinonye
Cambodia has ordered African nationals currently benefiting from an immigration waiver arrangement to leave the country before May 31, 2026, or face arrest, imprisonment and heavy financial penalties under a new immigration directive issued by the country’s authorities, Prime Business Africa reports.
The notice was issued by Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior and targets nationals from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and several other African countries.
The directive stated that the waiver granted to the affected nationals would officially expire on May 31, 2026, and that all foreigners whose immigration fines had already been settled must leave the country before the deadline.
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Authorities warned that any foreign national found entering, remaining or residing in Cambodia from June 1 without proper legal status would be arrested either at airports or other locations across the country.
The notice further stated that violators would face a two-year jail term and an $8,000 penalty before being allowed to leave Cambodia.
Cambodian police were also directed to begin arresting foreigners found in “hideouts” across the country from June 1 over alleged overstay violations and related immigration offences.
The immigration notice was reportedly signed by Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak, Director General of Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration, and approved by Gen. Sar Sokha of the Ministry of Interior.
While Cambodian authorities have not publicly provided detailed explanations regarding the waiver arrangement, some reports linked the latest immigration crackdown to wider concerns over illegal migration, cybercrime syndicates and human trafficking operations across parts of Southeast Asia.
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Several reports indicated that some African nationals in Cambodia and neighbouring countries were allegedly lured into the region through fraudulent job offers promising work in customer service, technology and online business operations, only to later face exploitative conditions, including passport confiscation and restricted movement.
However, Cambodian authorities have not announced any blanket ban on African nationals entering the country, with the directive appearing to focus specifically on individuals staying beyond the waiver deadline or residing illegally in Cambodia.
Authorities have also yet to disclose how many African nationals are expected to be affected by the enforcement measures or whether diplomatic consultations are ongoing with the governments of the affected countries.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
