Cambodian Visa Question
 

Quick Question...

I'm driving down to LA on Friday to pick up my passport for my Brazilian visa and while I'm there I decided I might as well get my Cambodian visa rather than deal with an evisa or visa on arrival since I'll be in LA anyways. My question is, I am going to Cambodia with a non-relative and they would like me to get their visa for them while I am there. Am I allowed to do this provided they fill out the application and provide me with a passport photo and money order?

Also, can I assume that the visa will be processed pretty quickly? I definitely don't want to drive back to Long Beach at a later date to pick up my passport.

If popping over to the Cambodian consulate takes more than five minutes, then it is a waste of time over the evisa. If it takes more than 10 minutes, it is a waste of time over the VOA. I've flown into REP and PNH multiple times, never an issue.

That said, I have heard of Visa services that would "run" your passport to the Honorary Consulate in Long Beach to get the Visa for you. I do not know if the Tea Money practice was in play, but if they can, perhaps you can.

Seriously, however, I just don't see any reason to do so.

I've waited 20 minutes in PNH for my VOA, but that was 6+ years ago. I'd certainly avoid the embassy route.

Really dumb question then...

I don't get many visas and if I get the eVisa version will it look the same as a standard visa? I've only got 3 years left on my passport and I really want to get it as full as possible and full page stickers really help.

Yes, you will still get a nice full page sticker via eVisa...
at least, I did... although that was a few years ago.

As said above, it is so easy to get it on arrival,
really not worth considering other approaches. ^

I think I'm sold. Plus Long Beach (Cambodian Consulate) and Beverly Hills (Brazilian Embassy) aren't exactly right next to each other and LA traffic isn't exactly fun to navigate. Plus I don't have any passport photos but I do have a digital copy of one which is what the Cambodian eVisa requires.

Why couldn't Brazil be this easy?

VOA is so much easier than consulate/embassy route. And yes.... you get a full page sticker.... I know because I have to peel them off to make more room in my passport.

We did the evisa and it was quick and the response was also very quick. No reason to do anything else.

E-Visa is not a sticker. You receive your visa as a PDF file which you can print and staple into your passport.

As mentioned above VOA is a regular full page sticker.

Yep, just returned from Cambodia this wkend
^^^
http://mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/

Stapled stuff into my passport is what I'm trying to avoid as I don't think that looks as cool. Cambodia is the first foreign country I will have visited that requires a visa (although I am actually obtaining my Brazilian visa for a later trip first and I have been to 12 non-Visa nations).

How much of a hassle is the VOA? I've read conflicting reports regarding this?

It really is no big deal.

Fill out the forms on the airplane. Bring two passport photos. (Technically, you should bring (2) 2 x 2 inch photos, not the US standard, but they will take a US-sized photo). Hand it in the first set of lines on the left. Watch as it moves down the line. Pay your $20 when your name is called to the right. Move on to Immigration.

At that point, everyone is treated the same no matter Visa, eVisa, pre-Visa.

The worst I have ever had is when the guy kept an extra $5 when I paid. Now, I use the exact amount.

Have a great trip and leave us a trip report if you have the time and inclination.

PS: If you like big Visas, spend a few miles and pop down to Indonesia (Bali!) and get a VOA there. :)

You might have received the extendable 'business' visa which is $25.

I'm also trying to figure out how you pay for a $20 visa and somehow need $5 to be returned to you. :confused:

Maybe $3, if you had no photos. $25 is a bargain at a land crossing !

Land crossings are another animal... agreed.