Background
From 16 to 19 March 2026, the General Department of Immigration (GDI) carried out a series of deportations of foreign nationals from the Kingdom of Cambodia. The operations were conducted under the high-level recommendations of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, with implementation directed by the Director General of Immigration to the Department of Investigation and Procedures. The actions form part of the government’s measures to strictly enforce immigration and related laws.
Scope of Application
The deportations applied to a total of 1,556 foreign nationals, including 278 women, from 21 different nationalities. The nationalities cited include Kenya, Bhutan, Pakistan, Korea, India, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uganda, Indonesia, Japan, Cameroon, the Philippines, Myanmar, Nigeria, Togo, Taiwan (China), Turkmenistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. The measures targeted individuals found to be in violation of Cambodian immigration and related laws, including participation in technology-enabled criminal activities.
Key Provisions or Decisions
According to the General Department of Immigration, 1,556 foreign nationals were formally deported from Cambodia during the stated period. Within this group, 776 Vietnamese nationals, including 183 women, were identified as being involved in online scam cases and were deported via the Bavet International Border Police Station in Svay Rieng province and the Trapaing Srea International Border Police Station in Kratie province.
Other foreign nationals were deported for offenses including illegal border crossing, residence without valid passports, use of falsified visas or QR codes, participation in online scam activities, and working illegally within Cambodia. These individuals were deported through the Techo International Airport border police post.
The GDI stated that these deportations are an implementation of the Royal Government’s strict legal measures aimed at cleaning up and eliminating technology-related crime, protecting public security domestically and internationally, addressing those behind such crimes without exception, and assisting victims who had been deceived into working in technology-based scam operations so they can regain their freedom and return to their home countries.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The announcement underscores the General Department of Immigration’s continued enforcement of immigration law and related regulations, particularly in connection with technology-enabled crimes such as online scams. Foreign nationals residing or working in Cambodia are expected to maintain valid immigration status, possess proper travel documents and visas, and refrain from unauthorized employment or illegal border crossings.
Businesses employing foreign workers or engaging with foreign partners should ensure that all foreign staff have lawful immigration status and that their activities comply with Cambodian law. Entities connected, directly or indirectly, to online scam operations or to the use of falsified immigration documents face heightened enforcement risk, including deportation of affected foreign staff. The GDI’s emphasis on strict, ongoing legal measures suggests that immigration and technology-crime enforcement will remain an operational priority.
Official Source
This information is based on an official announcement published by the General Department of Immigration (GDI) on its verified Facebook page on 20 March 2026.
Related Developments
This topic is part of ongoing policy and enforcement developments related to cybercrime and online fraud in Cambodia, including scam investigations, regulatory responses, and cross-border cooperation.
