By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Cambodia, May 28, 2026 - Kenyans and other African nationals living in Cambodia under expired visas or immigration waivers have been ordered to leave the country before May 31 or risk arrest, imprisonment and heavy fines.
In a tough new directive, Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration warned that foreigners who remain in the country beyond the deadline will face strict legal action as authorities intensify an immigration crackdown.
“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,” the notice stated.
The government said those arrested could “serve a jail term of two years” and “pay a penalty of USD8,000 before being allowed to leave Cambodia.”
The directive targets African nationals, including citizens from Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon and Uganda, who had been living in the Southeast Asian country under special immigration arrangements or overstayed visas.
Cambodian authorities also warned that police officers would begin searching for foreigners hiding in different parts of the country once the deadline expires.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of our immigration laws,” the notice added.
The announcement comes amid growing international concern over human trafficking and online scam syndicates operating across parts of Southeast Asia.
Over the past few years, Cambodia has emerged as one of the countries linked to fraudulent online operations where foreign nationals, including Kenyans, were reportedly lured with promises of well-paying jobs only to end up trapped in scam compounds.
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Many victims later claimed their passports and phones were confiscated upon arrival, preventing them from escaping or seeking help.
The International Justice Mission previously warned that traffickers often use fake online job advertisements to target desperate job seekers.
“Criminals use social media platforms to falsely advertise lucrative jobs with good salaries and ideal working conditions,” the organisation said.
“When the victims arrive, perpetrators confiscate their passports, identification documents and cellphones to prevent them from leaving or calling for help.”
Hundreds of Africans caught up in the scam operations have in recent years appealed for government intervention to help them return home after allegedly being trapped in heavily guarded compounds.
International agencies, including Interpol and the FBI, have since launched operations targeting criminal networks behind the scam centres as Southeast Asian governments tighten immigration controls and anti-trafficking measures.
Although Cambodia did not directly link the latest directive to anti-scam operations, the country remains under pressure to address growing concerns over irregular migration, human trafficking and illegal employment networks.
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