PHNOM PENH: Multiple Cambodian embassies, including those in the UK and Japan, have shared an announcement which declares an end to the issuance of all types of visa stickers to foreign passport holders and Cambodian citizens living abroad.
According to notices issued on Oct 7, they will be replaced with an electronic visa system.
The notice explained that the new system came into effect on Oct 3, and included the K category visa, issued to Cambodians who hold foreign passports.
No reason was given for the change, although the notice clarified that stickers issued prior to Oct 3 will remain valid.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesperson Chan Ratana was unavailable for comment at time of publication.
The move follows the recent revelations that visa stickers may have been issued illegally by corrupt officials.
Tho Samnang, former director-general of the foreign ministry’s Legal, Consular and Border Affairs Department, and several associates are currently facing charges over allegations that he issued type C visa and visa extension stickers to an organised criminal enterprise which was involved in online scam operations.
The Anti-Corruption Unit found that the official, who is currently detained in prison, had received US$3 million in proceeds for issuing more than 12,000 stickers. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
