Cambodian E-visa

[jamesjdaly]

My passport is getting quite full and I need to do the dreaded border run to PP. Jack Golf has told me that I can use their bus service to Poipet with my own e-visa. Instead of B2,200, they will charge me B1,400 for transport.

This seems pretty good, but on looking at the Cambodian e-visa website, I am wondering is it safe enough for my credit card.

Has anyone ever got an e-visa from the Cambodian Govt website (http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh) without any problems?

Thanks for any input.

[sjaak327]

I myself have never done this, but I know plenty of people who did. The question remains, why ? It's 5 USD more expensive, and at Poipet it will not lead to any time savings.

Judging from the money Jack is going to charge you, you don't save anything money wise either.

[jamesjdaly]

I don't want to clutter up my passport with whole page visas when I can print them myself on a separate sheet. It's not really the cost I'm concerned about!!

[sjaak327]

Sorry OP, I'm still sleeping, indeed it will save you a passport page.

Then I would go for it, as I said I know of many people who did, and never heard that they had payment problems.

[sweetchariot]

It's actually cheaper, as in the 3 years or so I have been here they have always demanded 1,000 baht, but $25 is about 850.

I've never heard of this before, would be interested to hear from someone who's tried it. What's the procedure when you get to Cambo?

[smileplur]

It's actually cheaper, as in the 3 years or so I have been here they have always demanded 1,000 baht, but $25 is about 850.

I've never heard of this before, would be interested to hear from someone who's tried it. What's the procedure when you get to Cambo?

I have gotten my visa rather easily at Poipet for $20. However, I think the e-visa means that you simply skip that first booth on the right you would normally go to. You should go directly to where they stamp your passport. The last time I was there, they had a special window on the right to give them your documents.

I wonder if Jack Golf will still handle the stamping for you with an e-visa.

[sjaak327]

http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/vsindex.aspx

All the information you need. And it's not cheaper, someone charging you 1000 baht is clearly ripping you off, and you just have to stand your ground and you will be getting in at USD20, I always have. Of course with a organized visa run, this isn't an issue in any case, and Jack's seems to charge 800 baht for this. (which is around 24 USD).

[sweetchariot]

http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/vsindex.aspx

All the information you need. And it's not cheaper, someone charging you 1000 baht is clearly ripping you off, and you just have to stand your ground and you will be getting in at USD20, I always have. Of course with a organized visa run, this isn't an issue in any case, and Jack's seems to charge 800 baht for this. (which is around 24 USD).

You wouldn't get very far standing your ground at Ban Laem. They have only accepted 1,000 for at least 3 years.

Edit// just checked the website and see you cannot use these at Daung (Ban Laem) anyway, probably why I've never heard of it before.

Edited August 20, 2008 by sweetchariot

[smileplur]

Koh Kong is also problematic in this regard.

[sjaak327]

http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/vsindex.aspx

All the information you need. And it's not cheaper, someone charging you 1000 baht is clearly ripping you off, and you just have to stand your ground and you will be getting in at USD20, I always have. Of course with a organized visa run, this isn't an issue in any case, and Jack's seems to charge 800 baht for this. (which is around 24 USD).

You wouldn't get very far standing your ground at Ban Laem. They have only accepted 1,000 for at least 3 years.

Edit// just checked the website and see you cannot use these at Daung (Ban Laem) anyway, probably why I've never heard of it before.

Wouldn't know, never been there, and indeed evisa is only valid for a few border crossings. It's funny really, as at airports and Bavet (main border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam) there is no scamming and 20 USD is all you need. Seems to be specific to a few Thai/Cambodian border crossings. I thought the Cambodian government was trying to stop these scams

[jamesjdaly]

Back on topic, please!!!! Is the website safe for credit cards?

Edited August 20, 2008 by jamesjdaly

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Back on topic, please!!!! Is the website safe for credit cards?

I did it 18 months ago with my VISA card from the U.S.  No "extra" charges as yet on this card, thus seems safe to me.

BTW it's always a good idea to check your card(s) now and then online, if able to do so, to see if there are fraudlent charges posted.

Mac

[jamesjdaly]

Thanks, Mac

[jamesjdaly]

Dear XXXXXX

Thank you very much for contact us. We have trip everyday on 5:00am by big bus to Poipet Border.

Pls be Sukumvit soi 12 at 4:40 am. in front of 7-11 store and bring passport + 1 photo. Our guide will do both stamps (Thai & Cambodia) for you. You just walk pass in & out show your face for the police. For 1,400 Baht. Which day would you like to go? Please send mail to confirm the date again.

Thank you & Best regards,

Maew

Jack Total Golf International Co., LTD.

================================================================

Have I found a way of doing a run to Cambers and NOT getting a whole page of my pp wasted?!!

Edited August 20, 2008 by jamesjdaly

[Maestro]

I doubt it. In fact, I’m quite sure you will still get the Cambodian visa affixed in your passport, taking up one page.

--

Maestro

[jamesjdaly]

Why would they affix 2 visas? Don't forget, I'm paying Jack Golf for transport only!

[smileplur]

I doubt it. In fact, I'm quite sure you will still get the Cambodian visa affixed in your passport, taking up one page.

--

Maestro

I believe otherwise. You will only get a stamp and bypass the visa portion. Your visa is issued online.

[sjaak327]

yep, you won't get a visa sticker in your passport, you will have to print out two copies of the e-visa which will be sent to you by email:

From the e-visa website:

How many copies of Visa do I need to print out?

Two copies. One copy will be submitted on arrival, while another copy upon leaving the country.

[Maestro]

Why would they affix 2 visas? Don't forget, I'm paying Jack Golf for transport only!

Only one visa, for Cambodia.

If you are paying for transport only, it means that you are responsible for getting the visa yourself. There was no mention of this in the email you quoted. With you responsible for the visa it is of course your choice whether you get it online, ie before leaving Bangkok, or after crossing the border into Cambodia.

--

Maestro

[jamesjdaly]

Non, non, non, Monsieur. I already have an e-visa (from a cancelled trip to Phnom Penh) and want to utilise it as a border run. How can you get an e-visa at the border?!!

Sjaak, thanks for that snippet. Have you done this yourself?

Edited August 21, 2008 by jamesjdaly

[gzu88bv]

So to repeat:

1. This e-visa service is safe and indeed works.

2. With regards to recent Thai/Cambodian troubles is it safe that my Thai partner accompanies me and what is needed visa-wise holding a Thai passport? Any thoughts form recent travellers appreciated.

[sjaak327]

Non, non, non, Monsieur. I already have an e-visa (from a cancelled trip to Phnom Penh) and want to utilise it as a border run. How can you get an e-visa at the border?!!

Sjaak, thanks for that snippet. Have you done this yourself?

No, I always get mine at the border.

2. With regards to recent Thai/Cambodian troubles is it safe that my Thai partner accompanies me and what is needed visa-wise holding a Thai passport? Any thoughts form recent travellers appreciated.

The same is needed for your Thai wife, she will also need a tourist visa.

[jamesjdaly]

No, I always get mine at the border.

So, how do you know the website is safe for cc's? From friends, I presume?

[sjaak327]

Yep, I did say I never apllied for it myself, it's right there in post number 2

"I myself have never done this, but I know plenty of people who did"

[CosmicSurfer]

I myself have never done this, but I know plenty of people who did. The question remains, why ? It's 5 USD more expensive, and at Poipet it will not lead to any time savings.

Judging from the money Jack is going to charge you, you don't save anything money wise either.

I have used twice... It's perfectly safe and does save you a Passport page...

Also it is actually cheaper... (Or was at exchange rates when I did it)... 700Baht vs 1,000 at the border.

I think today, the rate is about 34/USD.. That's 850 baht vs 1,000.

Go for it.

CS

[CosmicSurfer]

I have finished reading all the posts in this thread now and would like to add some more info....

1) Again, it is perfectly safe on your credit card. There is no threat or hassle.

2) Follow all the directions and you will recieve the Visa in an Email for you to print out.. I always print 3 color copies myself.. but 2 B&W are all that are needed. I usually receive the Email within 2 days.

3) If cost is a factor you can save a lot of money by using the Thai bus system and take the Bus from Mon Chit bus station.. Leave early in the morning and you can be back for Dinner... Total cost fo both me and my wife was UNDER 2,000 Baht including e-Visa cost (around 1,500 if memory serves.. my thread on this, with exact cost breakdown, is around somewhere if you search)

4) Your Thai wife doesn't need a Visa.. She shows her Passport at Thai side where you exit.. she can go through Foreigner line with you at the border where you stamp out. She DOESN'T need a Visa to enter Cambodia.

5) the E-visa site says that there is a seperate check-in Window at the Cambodian side.. There isn't. You line up with everybody else.

6) You can speed the process by asking the guy who gives out the Arrival/Departure cards for "VIP" service.. cost about 100 baht.. I've never personally used this service.. the line wasn't really that long and I'm too cheap.

Any more question just ask here or send me a PM.

Enjoy

CS

[jamesjdaly]

CS

Much obliged for a most informative post. Yes, I think I will go for it and save my pp another wasted page. I'll just sit back and let Jack do the donkey work!!

Thanks again!!

Edited August 21, 2008 by jamesjdaly

[sjaak327]

"4) Your Thai wife doesn't need a Visa.. She shows her Passport at Thai side where you exit.. she can go through Foreigner line with you at the border where you stamp out. She DOESN'T need a Visa to enter Cambodia."

Are you sure ?, Thai citizens are NOT visa free for Cambodia and requrie a visa for normal tourist visits.

There are only 4 countries that get in visa free, Thailand isn't one of them.

Edit: I guess for a quick visa run, they will be allowed in, but surely for extended stay they need a visa just as other citizens.

Edited August 21, 2008 by sjaak327

[Dork]

"4) Your Thai wife doesn't need a Visa.. She shows her Passport at Thai side where you exit.. she can go through Foreigner line with you at the border where you stamp out. She DOESN'T need a Visa to enter Cambodia."

Are you sure ?, Thai citizens are NOT visa free for Cambodia and requrie a visa for normal tourist visits.

There are only 4 countries that get in visa free, Thailand isn't one of them.

Edit: I guess for a quick visa run, they will be allowed in, but surely for extended stay they need a visa just as other citizens.

A Thai citizen DOES need a visa to enter Cambodia proper. However no one needs a visa to enter the casino zone in between the Thai & Cambodian immigration posts as far as the Cambodians are concerned.

In actual fact though, a foreigner does need a Cambodian visa because Thai immigration will not let a foreigner re-enter Thailand at Poipet without Cambodian entry/exit stamps. Obviously this doesn't apply to Thai citizens.

Therefore your Thai wife can accompany you without getting a visa but simply stays on the other side of the Cambodian immigration post while you get your entry/exit stamps.

[sjaak327]

Of course forgot about the casino's