Having the e-visa was without doubt better. Everyone in C/F had e-visa. As I walked away from the immigration post the one thing I knew for sure was that I made the right decision. That line for voa was growing.

And if you didn't have an e-visa you would have been the first one processed. I know people like them but personally i don't see benefit for additional cost. To each their own and I'm glad you didn't have any hassles.

The weather has been drier the last few days. Enjoy.

Additional cost? You mean the whopping $5 extra for an e-visa?

When we arrived, immigration was a zoo and the visa-on-arrival queue was huge. We got through in a few minutes; the woman who sat next to us on the plane was still about number 20 in line.

But OP was in FC and among the first out of the plane. This was known ahead of time.

If you're in the back of the plane it will be a zoo. However, like most things that involve the gov taking money, the lines do move quickly. By the time bags roll onto the carousel at least half the pax have already come through imm and a sizable chunk of the remainder are on line at imm.

During the (too many) months where a health survey was being collected at the bottom of the stairs things were even worse. Not sure if that's when you were last here.

You're missing the point. Front of line, back of line, checked bags, no checked bags, F or Y, 5 additional bucks is a cheap way to ensure a quick entry.

As you said, to each their own...

You're missing the point. There will be a wait regardless of what you do. It might be at VOA, it might be at immigration, it might be at the baggage carousel. You just choose to spend $5 extra (25%) in order to choose where to wait.

And you risk hassles should the computer system be down.

Agree with this. For some reason, I manage to get on planes with a high proportion of Cambodians or ASEAN exempts, and small # of foreigners needing visas (i.e. PNH rather than REP). While I'm spending 10 minutes getting my VOA, the line at immigration gets backed up with Cambodians getting stamped in, then at the baggage carousel. By the time I finish up at VOA desk, the immigration line is pretty clear and the initial crush at baggage claim is over and I spend next to no time waiting at those places.

The only way I know of to really avoid all waiting is to be in C or F first off the plane, have an e-visa or paper visa already in your possession, get through immigration at the head of the line, and then have only carry-on luggage to sprint with through the Customs/Exit. Other than that, it seems to be mostly a case of pick where you want to wait.

Ok. How about I add some humor here? Everyone make their own decision on how to use $5. I do not know if I was heading the signs correctly on the streets. But I think a one hour massage in Phnom Penh is $4. You can get a massage and save a buck if you do voa.

LOL! I was thinking the same thing. It's all relative, what your time worth to you. After all, I may have to spend another $5 for the massage anyway as my feet are aching waiting for the VOA :p

Whoa, i've been spending too much for my massages here!;)

And so did I having spent $30 per hour at the IC. But I will take $30 anytime given that I am now in Japan!

Lol, this helped me make my decision. :P

It is now 3 years later since the last post here. Some advice please:

I am arriving in Siem Rep in March, 2014, from Seoul on Asiana around 10:30 at night on a US passport. For the Visa is it best to:

1. Get it from the Embassy before leaving
2. Get the Visa on Arrival upon landing
3. Do it online, and if so, where do I find that link?

Thanks for your help

The link for e-visa is here http://mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/ (looks like it's now $3 more)

I don't think there's any point to going to the embassy. Personally I liked using the e-visa because it was easier/cheaper to upload pictures from my camera than to print them out somewhere, plus I had heard stories of long lines at REP for VOA.

We did get out of the airport quicker than almost anyone (our ride was a little surprised to see us) but I don't think it was a huge difference-- someone at the front of the VOA line without checked luggage probably would have cleared before we did.

We're planning to use VOA, since we'll have checked baggage anyways.

However, it's not clear to us what photo they want. The mail-in app asks for the usual 2"x2", but the FAQ for VOA says 4x6cm.

Anyone been through VOA lately and can confirm?

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From the FAQ page on VOA.
(http://www.embassyofcambodia.org/faq.html)
One recent photograph (4x6 cm)
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From the page on a mail-in visa application. (http://www.embassyofcambodia.org/visa.html)
One current passport sized photo (2"x2")
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