Cambodia Denies Reports Ordering Africans To Leave Country

The Cambodian government has dismissed reports claiming that African nationals with expired immigration waivers had been ordered to leave the country by May 31, describing the publication as “completely untrue.”

The earlier directive, purportedly issued by Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior, affects nationals from several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon and Uganda.

The statement alleged that authorities have said the temporary immigration waiver granted to the affected foreign nationals will officially expire at the end of May.  

According to the notice, all foreign nationals whose immigration fines or related issues have been resolved are expected to leave Cambodia on or before May 31, warning that any affected person found in Cambodia from June 1, 2026, would be arrested either at the airport or any other location across the country.

However, in a press clarification issued on May 29, Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration said stories circulating online under the headline “Cambodia Orders Africans with Expired Immigration Waivers to Leave by May 31, 2026” were false.

The statement directly referenced reports published by online platforms, which alleged that Cambodian authorities had issued the directives targeting African nationals staying in the country under expired immigration waivers.

“The General Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to clarify that the information published on those websites is completely untrue,” the statement said.

The immigration department urged the public to rely only on official government communication channels for verified information regarding immigration matters.

Authorities directed both local and international audiences to the official website of Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration and its hotline for accurate updates and further clarification.