Cambodia Takes Measures to Warn Nepali Citizens Against Illegal Activities

Cambodia has implemented strict laws against individuals involved in online scams and other illegal activities, prompting advisories for Nepali citizens residing or planning to travel there. According to Moti Bahadur Shrees, Deputy Head of the Nepalese Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, the new law enacted last week imposes penalties ranging from fines up to five hundred thousand US dollars to imprisonment terms from two years to life, depending on the nature of the offense.

There have been cases where Nepali nationals remained in Cambodia beyond their visa validity while involved in such unlawful activities. The embassy, in coordination with the Nepal Police’s Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau in Kathmandu, has been raising awareness among Nepali citizens. Over the past three years (2023, 2024, and 2025), approximately 21,000 Nepali nationals have entered Cambodia on tourist visas. Deputy Head Shrees stated, “Although not all these individuals are currently in Cambodia, it is estimated that many remain there.”

Since January 2026, a total of 576 Nepali nationals have been repatriated. He added, “We have organized seven repatriation batches, with 277 individuals returned just since March 10.” Nepali residents whose visas have expired are required by the Cambodian government to pay a daily fine of 10 US dollars. With the enforcement of the new law, these regulations are expected to become more stringent.

Officials have urged that any Nepali nationals staying in Cambodia on tourist visas without proper labor authorization be reported. Presently, 72 Nepalis are detained in Cambodian detention centers. “We are preparing to repatriate 59 of them, and they will be sent back to Nepal within a few days,” Shrees confirmed. Due to the risk of fraud under the guise of foreign employment, potential workers have been advised to thoroughly verify information about their employers before proceeding.