Cambodia becomes the first test-free travel option in South East Asia

South East Asian countries seem to be in a race to drop COVID-19 quarantine, entry and vaccination requirements lately, with another one on Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) list – Cambodia – becoming the first in the region to remove all pre-departure and on-arrival testing requirements.

According to an update by the Ministry of Health, foreign travellers will no longer need to show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival to check-in for their flight to Cambodia.

The mandatory (but free) on-arrival antigen ART test has also been removed.

That makes Cambodia the sole country in South East Asia to have removed all testing requirements for inbound international travellers.

Despite the relaxation, travellers must still be fully vaccinated to travel to Cambodia (unlike the new Vietnam process, where there is no vaccination requirement, but testing is required).

PDT no longer required

Effective from 16th March 2022, Cambodia has removed its pre-departure and on-arrival test requirement, which comprised:

• A PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours before arrival; and
• an ART test conducted on arrival.

There was no exemption in place for children of any age.

These tests are no longer required, but do be careful as the official edict has not yet filtered through to the IATA Timatic system, used by many airlines, nor is it reflected by Singapore Airlines at the time of writing, so you may come up against the former pre-departure PCR requirement for unvaccinated travellers at the check-in desk, even though it has been officially dropped.

If you’re making a trip in the coming days, it may be safer to comply with the test requirement until these sources have been updated, since it will be impossible to then get a PCR test and still make it on board your flight if the airline digs its heels in at the counter.

Cambodia has also reinstated its visa-on-arrival list, for those arriving from non-ASEAN countries, removing the requirement for many travellers to apply for an e-visa. Effectively, visa-on-arrival is now available for all foreign nationals arriving in the country.

Process to Cambodia

Now that testing has been ditched, to enter Cambodia quarantine-free, you must have:

• a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that you have been fully vaccinated (no booster requirement)
• A health insurance policy with a minimum medical coverage of US$50,000. The insurance can be obtained at www.forteinsurance.com/covid-19-insurance, though that particular policy is not compulsory

Nationals of Cambodia are exempt from the insurance requirement.

Children aged 17 and under can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Cambodia.

This is by far the simplest process in the region, so now may be a good time to consider a trip to Cambodia, especially with SIA’s flights currently offering 30% discounts on saver award tickets to and from Siem Reap as part of the Spontaneous Escapes promotion, including the new Boeing 737-8 MAX Business Class for 15,050 miles each way.

Here’s how that deal looks:

Business Class
(Apr & May 2022)

Economy Class
(Apr & May 2022)

Unfortunately Phnom Penh is not included in the offer this time round.

VTL countries still requiring pre-departure testing

Less than half of Singapore’s 32-strong VTL list – 15 countries – still require a pre-departure test for fully vaccinated travellers in the outbound direction from Changi.

You’ll be subject to testing requirements when travelling to the following countries, in addition to VTL testing on your return:

Testing before travelling to selected countries
based on fully vaccinated travellers departing from Singapore by air

If you are heading to a country requiring pre-departure testing, be sure to check our comprehensive updated guide to the cheapest PCR and ART options available in Singapore.

There is no longer any pre-departure test required for fully vaccinated passengers travelling to the following VTL countries:

VTL flights Cambodia – Singapore

Cambodia joined Singapore’s VTL on 16th December 2021.

You can travel to Cambodia on any direct flight, or transit via another VTL country, then return to Singapore on designated quarantine-free services operated by Jetstar and Singapore Airlines, as shown in the following tables (click to expand).

Phnom Penh  Singapore

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ153 737-8 MAX
PNH 09:35		SIN 12:40
	3K594 A320
PNH 15:25		SIN 18:25
	SQ157^ 737-8 MAX
PNH 18:25		SIN 21:25
	3K592 A320
PNH 21:30		SIN 00:30*

^ From 1st April
* Next day

1st June 2022 - 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S