Background
Immigration control in Cambodia vests removal authority with the General Department of Immigration (GDI) operating under the Interior Ministry, which executes repatriation and deportation procedures for foreign nationals who breach immigration rules or are implicated in criminal activity. The General Department of Immigration enforces deportation of foreign nationals who commit immigration violations or criminal offenses while in Cambodia.
When repatriation is required, immigration authorities coordinate with foreign diplomatic missions to arrange return travel and related documentation, including the use of special-charter flights when circumstances or volumes require it. Immigration authorities coordinate with foreign diplomatic missions to repatriate nationals and arrange special flights when necessary.
Key Developments
On 26 June 2026 the General Department of Immigration carried out the deportation of 170 Chinese nationals, including four women, who were identified as linked to online scam operations and as residing or working without legal authorization. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh and departures occurred via a special flight from the Techo International Airport police checkpoint.
Institutional Role
The GDI acted on directives from senior Interior Ministry leadership to implement removal procedures in this case, illustrating the department’s role in operational enforcement of immigration status, cross-border coordination with diplomatic partners, and logistical arrangements for repatriation flights. Embassy coordination is a routine mechanism used to verify nationality and facilitate the safe return of deported persons.
Operational Implications
This event highlights procedures available to Cambodian immigration authorities when responding to suspected technology-enabled crimes involving foreign nationals: identification of subjects, coordination with foreign missions for verification and travel documents, and use of dedicated flights for repatriation. Businesses, visa sponsors, and service providers should note that immigration authorities may suspend or terminate legal stay rights where operators or occupants are found to be involved in criminal activity or in breach of immigration conditions.
