05/29/2026
Cambodia 🇰🇠Orders African Nationals to Leave The Country.
The Cambodian government has issued a directive ordering African nationals living in the country under a temporary immigration waiver to leave by May 31, 2026, or face arrest, imprisonment, and heavy fines.
The countries specifically mentioned in reports include:
Ghana
Kenya
Cameroon
Uganda
Cambodian authorities also referred more broadly to “other African nationals,” suggesting the order may affect additional African citizens beyond those named publicly.
What measures led to this?
According to Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration, the government had previously granted a temporary waiver arrangement to some African migrants and overstayers. That waiver is now expiring.
The crackdown appears tied to several developments:
Immigration enforcement campaign
Cambodia says it is tightening enforcement of immigration laws and targeting undocumented foreigners and visa overstayers. Authorities warned that anyone remaining after June 1 could:
be arrested,
jailed for up to two years,
fined $8,000 before deportation.
Cybercrime and scam-center crackdown:
Cambodia has faced growing international pressure over online scam compounds and trafficking networks operating in the country, especially in areas like Preah Sihanouk. Reports say some Africans were trafficked or lured there with promises of jobs in casinos, customer service, or tech work.
End of special waivers:
Authorities stated that foreigners whose immigration fines had been cleared were still required to leave once the waiver expired. Enforcement operations are expected to intensify beginning June 1, 2026.
Human rights groups and migration experts have raised concerns because some affected Africans may be trafficking victims rather than ordinary immigration violators.
A. Muwanki (Daddymu) phD.