The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said tourists holding Visa T and arriving in the Kingdom after January 1 will be allowed to prolong their stay until they are able to return home.

The decision comes as Cambodia and most countries take measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

“To all diplomatic and consular missions in Cambodia, please be informed that the spread of Covid-19 pandemic has prevented tourists who have visited Cambodia after January 1 from going back to their home countries as there are no flights.

“The government has decided to automatically provide visa extension to tourists holding Visa T starting April 3 and exempt them from fines for overstaying until they can return to their home countries.”

General Department of Immigration deputy director-general Keo Vanthan told The Post on Sunday that the exemption does not apply to foreigners who entered the Kingdom illegally.

“Those who come after January 1 can stay until they can leave Cambodia. But for foreigners who illegally entered Cambodia, we will follow our immigration rules as normal. If they overstay their visa and have no passport, we will deport them,” he said.

Cambodia Association of Travel Agents president Chhay Sivlin welcomed the move.

“As tour organisers, we applaud the visa extension. Some foreign tourists haven’t been able to leave yet so they have to remain in our country for now.

“While stranded here, they had been extremely worried about their travel and accommodation until the government announced the extension without any fines.

“They didn’t know what to do at first, but now they are very happy,” she said.