The Cambodian government has ordered African nationals residing in the country to leave before May 31, 2026, warning that anyone found remaining after the deadline would face arrest, imprisonment and deportation.
The directive, issued by the General Department of Immigration under Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, affects nationals from several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon and Uganda.
According to the notice signed by the Director General of Immigration, Lt. Gen. Som Sopheak, and approved by Secretary of State Gen. Sar Sokha, a temporary immigration waiver granted earlier to affected foreigners would officially expire on May 31.
Authorities directed all individuals whose immigration penalties or related issues had been resolved to leave the country before the deadline.
“The Cambodia Police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from the 1st of June 2026 for overstay and will hand it over to the immigration authorities for legal action,” the statement warned.
The Cambodian government said violators risk a two-year prison sentence, an $8,000 fine and eventual deportation.
The move forms part of a broader immigration crackdown launched by Cambodian authorities against illegal activities linked to cyber scam operations across the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha disclosed earlier this year that about 48,000 foreigners had been deported since the anti-scam campaign began in 2023, while more than 210,000 others voluntarily left the country.
Investigations by international organisations have linked many foreign nationals in Cambodia to large-scale cyber fraud networks operating from heavily guarded compounds.
A June 2025 report by Amnesty International alleged that several scam compounds in Cambodia were associated with human trafficking, forced labour, torture and other abuses carried out by organised criminal groups.
According to the report, many victims were deceived through fake job offers circulated on social media before being trapped in criminal operations.
The compounds, mostly located in coastal provinces such as Preah Sihanouk, are believed to be central to a global online fraud industry estimated to be worth between $50 billion and $75 billion.
Reports also indicated that online scams linked to operations in Cambodia caused more than $20 billion in losses to United States citizens in the past year alone.
Under growing international pressure, the Cambodian government pledged in 2025 to shut down all illegal scam compounds before the end of April 2026.
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However, rights groups and critics have questioned the effectiveness of the crackdown, alleging that influential government officials and business elites benefit from the operations.
The 2025 U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report alleged that some senior Cambodian officials were connected to scam activities, contributing to their continued existence despite global scrutiny.
An estimated 400 to 500 African nationals are expected to be directly affected by the expiration of the immigration waiver.
Authorities have urged affected individuals to arrange immediate departure plans before enforcement begins on June 1.
