Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) is Cambodia’s central agency charged with controlling borders, administering entry and exit of foreign nationals, and executing deportation orders under national immigration rules.
GDI coordinates with other Ministry of Interior units and with foreign diplomatic missions to repatriate non-citizens identified as involved in criminal conduct or illegal employment. Immigration investigative units typically carry out identity checks, evidence-gathering and procedural steps before removal, and removal operations may be executed on chartered or scheduled flights in coordination with the receiving state.
Key Developments
On 26 June 2026 the General Department of Immigration announced the removal of 170 Chinese nationals (including four women) from Cambodia for alleged involvement in online-scam operations and unlawful residence or work. The deportations were reported to have been carried out on a special flight through the immigration police post at the international airport, with coordination between GDI and the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh.
Institutional Role
GDI said the removals followed directives from senior Ministry of Interior leadership and were implemented by the immigration investigative directorate. The operation reflects an operational role for immigration authorities in disrupting cross-border cyber-enabled fraud through detention, investigation, and repatriation of non-citizens found to be implicated.
Operational Implications
The removal operation underscores that foreign nationals residing or working without appropriate immigration or work authorization can be subject to administrative detention and repatriation. Employers and intermediaries that recruit or host foreign workers should ensure that workers hold valid immigration and work authorizations to avoid exposure to immigration enforcement actions.
