Moving to Cambodia to Study? Here's What You Should Do
Are you planning to travel to Cambodia for education purposes? Then you have come to the right place. Know all the legal requirements with financial planning and accommodation below. Keep reading and know the Cambodia visa eligibility in detail.
Cambodia is not just known for its rich cultural legacy, and breathtaking natural scenery. It is also becoming popular for overseas students due to its reasonable tuition costs. Apart from that, Cambodian natives are known for their hospitality.
Furthermore, the nation has various educational institutions that offer programs in tourism, business, and international relations. So, if you plan to study there, you must check the Cambodia visa eligibility for students and accordingly apply for your visa.
Let’s take a look at the application process below.
Understanding Student Visa Requirements
Continue reading to learn more about the criteria you need to fulfil to get a student visa for Cambodia.
Requirements for Student Visa
You should produce documents like the ones mentioned below at the Cambodian Embassy or Consulate if you wish to obtain a visa to study in Cambodia:
- Letter of acceptance from your university or institution in Cambodia
- Documents confirming your ability to support yourself financially for the duration of your stay
- A passport that remains valid for six months after your tenure in Cambodia
- Medical insurance documents
- Documents stating your ability to return to your home nation after your studies
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
Student Application Process
You should know that you cannot apply for a Cambodian student visa online. So you’ll have to visit the Cambodian Embassy or Consulate near you in person. Once there, you’ll have to do the following things:
- Request the concerned authorities for a student visa application form
- You’ll be asked to then provide all the documents we’ve mentioned in the previous section
- After the authorities verify your documents, they’ll hand you the visa application form
- Carefully check all the information there and fill in the boxes/slots accordingly
- Remember to cross-check all the information before handing the completed form to the official.
- Enquire about the fees and pay the same via cash, or online payment mode, as applicable
After you submit your visa, you’ll wait for a few days to receive it via courier. The Embassy or Consulate will also return your other documents to you in the courier.
Additionally, you might be required to provide additional documents or confirm other details as required, so you should stay available for that.
Let us now discuss some other aspects of studying in Cambodia below.
How To Select the Right University
You have to factor in your preferred learning style and everything in between, depending on your objectives and situation. So, keep reading to learn how to choose your desired educational institution.
Firstly, you should consider your interests, academic goals, and preferred discipline.
Secondly, check if the institution has a course for your preferred subject and a good reputation in the field.
Thirdly, consider the availability of hybrid learning when choosing your school. That’s because remote education has become quite popular nowadays.
Lastly, but never least, don’t forget to check the programme fees and see if it align with your budget.
With that being said, let us now take a look at the Cambodia visa eligibility criteria for students.
Financial Planning & Tuition Fees
You should factor in the expenses involved in your education.
If you need financial aid, you should look at the different financial aid and scholarship programs the university offers.
Apart from that, you should manage your finances by following these tips:
- Set a budget before your educational abroad trip
- Plan for unexpected expenses
- Open a Cambodian bank account
- Carefully store your debit and credit cards
- Look for student discounts
- Get a part-time job
- Stay in hostels to reduce your accommodation fees
Finding Accommodation
We know it is very important to feel at home and have your own place during your tenure in Cambodia. You can find such a place by looking at reputed websites online.
Remember to look for features like distance from your university, facilities offered and the rent. Some facilities you should not compromise upon are a comfortable bed, an attached bathroom, an iron, an armoire or cupboard, laundry and a study desk.
That way, you can invest in a place that is economically viable and fun to stay at.
After all, you’ll get a chance to try some unique dishes from all over the world and make friends and memories for a lifetime.
You can also consider a homestay since you’ll be able to experience Cambodian culture and improve your command of the language.
Check what kind of accommodation will suit your finances and education and opt for one according to your preferences.
Navigating Transportation in Daily Life
The transportation network of Cambodia has undergone significant transformation in recent years. So, you can choose to travel to your university in tuk-tuks, shared app cabs, and motorbikes.
Alternatively, depending on your preferences, you can opt for buses or cycles to commute towards your university.
We recommend deciding upon a standard travel system with your roommates or batchmates to help you cut costs.
Exploring Cambodia During Your Studies
As the saying goes, “All work and no work makes Jack a dull boy”. The same applies to you. So, you should not skip the chance to explore the country of Cambodia during your stay there.
We recommend taking a short tuk-tuk ride and exploring the bustling markets and restaurants in Siem Reap.
You can also spend an afternoon biking around the Angkor temple complex. Don’t forget to visit the Bunong people and learn about the elephants of Mondulkiri.
We also recommend visiting the Tonle Sap Lake and exploring the fishing culture there. Alternatively, you can go to the beaches near Phnom Penh for a fun day out with your batchmates.
Adjusting to Cambodian Culture & Lifestyle
One of the things you can do to help you adapt to life there is to learn basic Khmer phrases that are helpful and appreciated by locals. You should also dress modestly and remove shoes when visiting a Buddhist temple.
Furthermore, you should purchase a Cambodian krama scarf since it can help you protect yourself from the dust and heat there. You should also not forget to tip in hotels and restaurants.
Additionally, we recommend taking care of your health since the nearest hospital is based in Thailand. Lastly, even if you feel like it, we recommend avoiding elephant rides since many animal rights firms in Cambodia have raised their voices against it.
Final Tips & Checklist Before Moving
Now that you know everything there is to know before visiting Cambodia, we recommend finalising your study plans. In other words, you should select your university and apply for your student visa by following the steps mentioned above.
Compile all the critical documents and store them in a secure folder so that you can meet the Cambodia entry visa requirements. We would also recommend packing all essentials like a krama scarf, medication, and appropriate clothes.
Apart from that, don’t forget to exchange your home country’s cash for Cambodian riels when you enter Cambodia. Also, remember to respect the Buddhist culture since it is highly dominant there.
Furthermore, don’t forget to carry your mobile phone chargers, a travel adapter and your laptop, along with its chargers, if you own one. Lastly, just have a great time there!
Check Eligibility for Cambodia e-Visa and apply for Cambodia e-Visa 5 days prior to your scheduled flight to Cambodia.