The General Department of Immigration (GDI) of Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior has issued a strong warning to Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country to leave Cambodia on or before May 31, 2026, when the government waiver expires.
In an official notice signed by the Director General of the General Department of Immigration, Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak and approved by Gen. Sar Sokha, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Interior, made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, the Cambodian authorities said the directive applies to the citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and other African countries currently in the Kingdom.
The letter said that all foreign nationals who have previously settled their immigration fines are expected to leave Cambodia before the deadline.
Any foreign individual who enters, stays or hides in Cambodia from June 1, 2026, will be immediately arrested at airports or in other places in the country, police said.
The letter further added that violators would face a two-year jail term and a $8,000 penalty before they could leave Cambodia.
The Cambodian Police are also anticipated to start statewide operations from June 1 to arrest foreigners living illegally in the country and hand them over to immigration officials for further legal action.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia will not accept any violation of our immigration laws,” the statement underlined, encouraging all concerned persons to rigorously comply with the decision.
The immigration service also gave contact information for more information and help at its headquarters along Russian Federation Boulevard in Phnom Penh.
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