Before entering the amazing country of Cambodia, you have to apply for a visa. When I first entered the country, I was not sure what visa I was supposed to apply for. They have 8 different types and no explanations. As a result, when I got off the plane I left the section blank and filled in the amount of time I would be in Cambodia. By doing so, I was hoping that the immigration police would give me the correct visa. Well, to keep this post readable and short...they gave be the tourist visa, which is the wrong one. I needed the Ordinary visa or E visa.
Why is the tourist visa bad? Well, after a month in Cambodia you have to renew your visa. Well unlike the ordinary visa, which can be renewed as many times as you want, the tourist visa can only be renewed once. After you have renewed your tourist visa, then you have to leave the country or be charged horrendous fines. As a poor college student, I opted to leave the country instead of pay thousands of dollars to stay in Phnom Penh.
Well, my tourist visa extension was about to expire so Tessa, Rachel, and I took a trip to Vietnam (story to be posted later...maybe). On the bus ride home, I told Tessa that I was going to apply for an E visa instead of a T. Tessa was a little confused when I told her this because the T visa is cheaper than the E visa. In addition, we are leaving Cambodia in a few weeks and therefore extensions do not really apply to us anymore. So why the E visa? It is the principle. I was supposed to have an E and I want one in my passport. Sorry, there really is not a more outstanding reason. Also, having the option to stay in Cambodia forever also factored into my decision for getting an E visa. Don't worry, I won't stay in Phnom Penh forever now because I need to finish my degree. Haha. Once I obtain my MPH, who knows where I will end up...hopefully back in PP.
So one visa application submission, interrogation by an immigration officer, and $27.00 later I finally have an E visa in my passport. Hooray! I would show you a picture, but I am afraid my computer will blow up because of memory issues. :)
P.S. I am really glad to be back home in Phnom Penh. Saigon was great, but way too expensive.
Why is the tourist visa bad? Well, after a month in Cambodia you have to renew your visa. Well unlike the ordinary visa, which can be renewed as many times as you want, the tourist visa can only be renewed once. After you have renewed your tourist visa, then you have to leave the country or be charged horrendous fines. As a poor college student, I opted to leave the country instead of pay thousands of dollars to stay in Phnom Penh.
Well, my tourist visa extension was about to expire so Tessa, Rachel, and I took a trip to Vietnam (story to be posted later...maybe). On the bus ride home, I told Tessa that I was going to apply for an E visa instead of a T. Tessa was a little confused when I told her this because the T visa is cheaper than the E visa. In addition, we are leaving Cambodia in a few weeks and therefore extensions do not really apply to us anymore. So why the E visa? It is the principle. I was supposed to have an E and I want one in my passport. Sorry, there really is not a more outstanding reason. Also, having the option to stay in Cambodia forever also factored into my decision for getting an E visa. Don't worry, I won't stay in Phnom Penh forever now because I need to finish my degree. Haha. Once I obtain my MPH, who knows where I will end up...hopefully back in PP.
So one visa application submission, interrogation by an immigration officer, and $27.00 later I finally have an E visa in my passport. Hooray! I would show you a picture, but I am afraid my computer will blow up because of memory issues. :)
P.S. I am really glad to be back home in Phnom Penh. Saigon was great, but way too expensive.
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