Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) administers immigration control and operational procedures for non-citizens, including detention and expulsion processes, within Cambodia. On 7 October 2026, GDI leadership met in the Ministry of Interior meeting hall and via the Zoom platform to discuss guidance on a single-standard operational model for detention, identity verification, and expulsion of foreign nationals.
The meeting agenda focused on adoption of a single operational standard covering detention, identity determination and procedural steps for removing foreign nationals from Cambodian territory. Director General Sok Vasna attended the session alongside senior GDI leaders, and the event was held under the high patronage of Deputy Prime Minister S. Sokha.
Key Developments
Meeting participants addressed harmonisation of procedures across the department and examined practical guidance for frontline immigration officers. The GDI published notices directing stakeholders to its official communication channels, including its Facebook, TikTok, Telegram accounts and the department website at www.immigration.gov.kh.
Operational Implications
The guidance relates directly to how detention facilities, identity verification processes, and removal case handling are to be administered by GDI units. Standardising operational steps is intended to provide a uniform reference for immigration staff conducting detention, identity checks, and coordination for expulsion procedures.
Institutional Role
As the central administrative unit for immigration, GDI is responsible for issuing and disseminating operational guidance to provincial and local immigration offices. The department’s leadership convenes and circulates procedural directives to align actions across its organizational structure.
