The diplomatic relations with Cambodia were established on 13 May 1956. In December 1991 the King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk declared recognition of the Russian Federation as the successor of the former USSR. The USSR and afterwards Russia took an active part in resolving the Cambodian conflict, preparation and signing of the Paris agreements on Cambodia in October 1991, as well as in the UN peacekeeping operation in 1991-1993. Russia supported the Cambodian government during the crisis in July 1997, as well as contributed to the restoration of the Cambodian membership in the UN.

In 1995 Russia and Cambodia signed the Joint Declaration on the Foundations of Friendly Relations, the intergovernmental Agreement on Trade and Economic Relations, the intergovernmental Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, the Protocol on consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of both countries. In 2003 the sides also signed the intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Control of Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

In May 2001 Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, paid an official visit to the Russian Federation. In April 2004 Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister, Co-Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was in Moscow on a working visit.

In April 2006 Vyacheslav M. Lebedev, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, was on his first visit to Cambodia. The Sides agreed to establish cooperation between judicial authorities of both countries. In May 2007 Dith Munti, President of the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Cambodia, made a reciprocal visit to Moscow and signed the Agreement on interagency cooperation.

Russia and Cambodia make every effort to maintain relations between parliaments. In September 2004 a delegation of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation headed by Y.Medvedev, Vice-Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Business and Tourism, attended the 25th session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization in Phnom Penh.

In January 2007 a delegation of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia headed by Heng Samrin attended the 15-th Session of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Moscow. In November 2008 Valery A.Yazev, Vice-President of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, visited Cambodia. In January 2009 Sergey M.Mironov, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, had a meeting with Heng Samrin, President the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, at the 17th Session of APPF in Vientiane, Laos. In October 2009 Oum Sarith, Secretary General of the Senate of Cambodia, paid a visit to Moscow. In November 2009 Heng Samrin, President the National Assembly of Cambodia, visited Russia. In December 2010 Valery A.Yazev in his capacity as the member of the Supreme Council of the "United Russia" party visited Cambodia within the framework of the 6-th General Assembly of International conference of Asian political parties (ICAPP).

Ministries of foreign affairs of both countries also maintain fruitful dialogue. In July 2010 in Hanoi Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey V.Lavrov held a meeting with Hor Namhong within the framework of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on Security. In April 2011 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexey N. Borodavkin took part in consultations in Phnom Penh with the Ministry of foreign affairs of Cambodia. 19-20 November Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov as a head of the Russian delegation took part in the 7-th East Asia Summit (EAS) and other high level ASEAN meetings in Phnom Penh. Sergey Lavrov met with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen.

The trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Cambodia is on the rise. In 2012 bilateral trade turnover between our countries amounted to US$ 94.8 million.

The Russian-Cambodian Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation has been functioning since 1997. The Seventh Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission was held in April 2013 in Phnom Penh. The chairman of the Russian part of the Commission is Alexander V.Radkov, Head of Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation, the chairman of the Cambodian part – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong. The activity of Commission is focused on such matters as coordination of trade and economic cooperation, review of legal and commercial aspects of bilateral interaction.

On 29-31 August 2012 Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Alexey Likhachev participated in the 1-st meeting of Ministers of economy of EAS countries held in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Bilateral military cooperation is also steadily developing. On 8 – 13 September 2011 several Russian Pacific Fleet ships headed by a big antisubmarine ship Admiral Panteleev called at the port of Sihanoukville with a friendly visit. The captains of the ships had meetings with the commanders of the Naval Base Ream. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mr. Tea Banh visited the ship Admiral Panteleev.

Cooperation between respective agencies in sphere of control of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs is also strengthening. In June 2005 a delegation of the Federal Drug Control Service (FDCS) of the Russian Federation headed by Alexander V. Fedorov, deputy Director of FDCS, visited Cambodia and signed the Agreement on interagency cooperation with Cambodian National Authority for Combating Drugs. In March 2010 FDCS specialists held a series of lectures in Phnom Penh on the issues of application of antidrug legislation. In March 2011 experts of the Russian Far Eastern institute of professional development under the FDCS visited Phnom Penh.

Media cooperation also has a growing trend. On 22 December 2010 a cooperation Agreement in the field of information exchange between the ITAR-TASS and central Cambodian information agency AKP was signed in Phnom Penh. On 4 July a cooperation Agreement between the RIA NOVOSTI and AKP was signed in Moscow at the World Media Summit. On 24 July 2012 Deputy Minister of telecommunications of Russia A.Malinin visited Phnom Penh. He met with Minister of Information of Cambodia Khieu Kanharith and took part in the ceremony of launching pay digital television project fulfilled by the General Satellite (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) and the Royal Group of companies (Cambodia).

Cooperation in the sphere of tourism is steadily developing: in March 2011 Cambodian delegation headed by Minister of tourism Thong Khon visited the Intourmarket Exhibition in Moscow. Signing of bilateral Joint action work plan on tourism cooperation for 2012-2014 with the Russian counterpart has become an important outcome of the visit. In 2012 nearly 100 000 Russian tourists visited Cambodia, which constitutes 46 % growth over 2011. Over 80 thousand Russians visited Cambodia in the first and second quarter of 2013.

Both countries make effort to strengthen direct links between the capitals. In September 2005 the Phnom Penh Municipality delegation headed by Kep Chuktema, Governor of Phnom Penh, visited Moscow. In December 2010 a Memorandum of Understanding on establishing sister city relations between Russian town Veliky Novgorod and Cambodian Siem Reap province was signed.

CULTURAL COOPERATION

Presently the relations between Russia and Cambodia in the sphere of education and culture are demonstrating tendency towards further development.

The Intergovernmental Programme of Cultural Exchanges between Russia and Cambodia has been in force since 2006 and is prolonged until December 2014.

Visible progress is achieved in cinematography and filmmaking. In June-July 2007 the Saint-Petersburg documentary films studio made a film under the title "Golden Section" in Cambodia. The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation granted the above film with the status of a national project.

In September 2007 a delegation of the Department of Cinematography of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia attended the 5th International Film Festival of Asia Pacific countries «Pacific Meridian» in Vladivostok.

In 2009 and 2012 Russian Film Weeks were successfully held in Phnom Penh, traditionally attracting compatriots, Russian speaking Cambodians as well as all those who are interested in life of modern Russia.

Year 2012 was also marked by two significant music events:

- on 16 November Russian folk group "Slavyane" under the direction of Nadezhda Babkina performed at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture with a great success;

- on 18 November the Russian Symphony Orchestra "The Arpeggione" joined by 12 musicians from ASEAN countries - Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Philippines gave a concert. This event was organized within the framework of ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh and was given much attention of delegates.

Cooperation in the field of library science is steadily developing. Delegation of the Library of the Cambodian Senate visited Moscow in November 2007.

In May 2011 a «Cabinet of the Russian World» was opened in the Library of the Senate and has become popular with local citizens who obtained education in Soviet Union and Russia. On 31 January 2012 an official ceremony of donation of Russian books with participation of Ambassador of Russia to Cambodia H.E. Alexander Ignatov and Secretary General of the Senate of Cambodia H.E. Oum Sarith was held at the Library of the Senate of Cambodia. The books were provided to Cambodia within the scope of Target Federal Program «Russian language in 2011 - 2012».

Ties in the sphere of visual arts are also enjoying restoration – in February 2013 an exhibition of paintings by Sergey Radyuk – member of Union of artists of Russia, prize-winner of UN contest "My Russia… My world"- was held at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Phnom Penh.

Russia and Cambodia enjoy intensified cooperation between specialized higher educational institutions and academic circles. On December 13, 2010 Russian delegation represented by Head of the ASEAN Center of MGIMO (University) Victor Sumsky and professor of Institute of Oriental studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Mosyakov took part in a scientific symposium under the title "Russian Federation's Foreign Policy in the Asia Pacific Region" on invitation of the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

On 4-7 October 2012 delegation of Cambodian Royal Academy of Juridical Professions visited Moscow on invitation of the Russian Academy of Justice. The sides signed a cooperation agreement which stipulates exchange of practical experience between two countries in the sphere of work of judicial system.

On 21-25 January 2013 a delegation headed by Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vitaliy Naumkin visited Cambodia. The Memorandum on Cooperation with the Royal Academy of Cambodia signed during the visit opened up ample possibilities for efficient collaboration in the field of scientific researches in such spheres as international relations, political science, history, linguistics, study of literature, ethnography, etc.

Over 8000 Cambodian specialists received education in Russia and other CIS countries. At present over 110 Cambodians are studying in Russia at the expense of the Russian federal budget. Every year our country provides 15 scholarships to the Cambodian side.

Since 1984 the Russian Centre of Science and Culture has been operating in Phnom Penh. The RCSC hosts a library of Russian and foreign literature, a video collection of the Russian and foreign movies, a video club, Russian language courses, a bilingual study group for children of compatriots "Motherland in Two Languages", as well as musical and dancing lessons. The centre holds activities dedicated to historical events and anniversaries, organizes literature and musical evenings, photo and books exhibitions, etc.

VISA INFORMATION

As from March 14, 2016 ALL visa applications are to be completed online at http://visa.kdmid.ru, and printed out for submission to the Consular Section of the Embassy - on one page back-to-back (2 sides on 1 page).

After March 14, 2016 applications filled in by hand or without form available on this site, will not be accepted.

You can check if you have any restrictions to enter the territory of Russia by visiting the web-site of Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (www.fms.gov.ru).

Travel to Russia requires an entry visa. The Consular Section issues various categories of Russian visas based upon the purpose of the trip and the duration of stay in Russia.

The Consular Section issues the following types of visas:

Visa categories:

• "1" - single entry visa,
• "2" - double entry visa,
• "M" - multiple entry visa (duration of stay must not exceed 90 days of each 180 days).

Visa types:

• Tourist (when traveling on a tour program for maximum of 30 days),
• Business (for business purposes),
• Private (a visit to a friend or relative),
• Educational (to study in Russia for a long-time period),
• Work (to work in Russia for a long-time period),
• Transit (to go through the territory of Russia to other country).

TOURIST VISA

To apply for a tourist visa an applicant should submit the following documents to the Consular Section:

1. Valid national passport with at least two free pages. The date of expiry of the passport should not be less than six months from the date of departure from the Russian Federation (according to an application form and tourist voucher);

1. Copy of the passport;

1. Completed at http://visa.kdmid.ru visa application form, printed out on one page back-to-back (2 sides on 1 page). Each application form must be signed by the visa applicant personally;

1. One passport-size photo (color, white background);

1. *Australian citizens arriving in the Russian Federation on official trip or with a business purpose must provide to the Consular Section of the Embassy a detailed CV of themselves prepared in the Russian language.

1. Tourist confirmation (visa support letter) from the authorized hosting Russian travel agency, registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The confirmation should contain full name of the traveler, date of birth, passport number, date of entry/departure, itinerary, the agency's reference number, registration number, official seal and signature of the authorized person.

Hotel reservation alone is not valid for obtaining a tourist visa.

Russian tourist visa can be issued for not longer than 30 days. When entering Russia with a tourist visa, you could be also asked to present at the border checkpoint your tourist confirmation, voucher and a return ticket with a fixed date of departure.

BUSINESS VISA

To apply for a business visa an applicant should submit the following documents to the Consular Section:

1. Valid national passport with at least two free pages. The date of expiry of the passport should not be less than six months from the date of departure from the Russian Federation (according to an application form and tourist voucher);

1. Copy of the passport;

1. Completed at http://visa.kdmid.ru visa application form, printed out on one page back-to-back (2 sides on 1 page). Each application form must be signed by the visa applicant personally;

1. One passport-size photo (color, white background);

1. Original letter of invitation. All state and private legal entities based in Russia should process their invitations through the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if not in Moscow - its regional representative offices) or Russian Ministry of Interior (if not in Moscow - its local immigration offices). No copies are accepted.

Multiple re-entry visas are valid for a one-year period, starting not earlier than the date, indicated in the confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Internal of Russia.

PRIVATE VISA (HOMESTAY VISA)

To apply for a Private Visa an applicant should submit the following documents to the Consular Section:

1. Valid national passport with at least two free pages. The date of expiry of the passport should not be less than six months from the date of departure from the Russian Federation (according to an application form and tourist voucher);

1. Copy of the passport;

1. Completed at http://visa.kdmid.ru visa application form, printed out on one page back-to-back (2 sides on 1 page). Each application form must be signed by the visa applicant personally;

1. One passport-size photo (color, white background);

1. Original visa support letter (invitation) issued by a Local Visa Office of the Russian Ministry of Interior. Applicant's relatives or friends can obtain such invitations. No copies are accepted. The invitations must contain full name of the invited person, his/her date of birth, passport number, duration of stay in Russia and cities to be visited. The invitations must be signed and sealed by authorized persons.

EDUCATIONAL VISA

To apply for an educational visa an applicant should submit the following documents to the Consular Section:

1. Valid national passport with at least two free pages. The date of expiry of the passport should not be less than six months from the date of departure from the Russian Federation (according to an application form and tourist voucher);

1. Copy of the passport;

1. Completed at http://visa.kdmid.ru visa application form, printed out on one page back-to-back (2 sides on 1 page). Each application form must be signed by the visa applicant personally;

1. One passport-size photo (color, white background);

1. Original visa support letter (invitation) issued by a Local Visa Office of the Russian Ministry of Interior. No copies are accepted. The invitation must contain name of inviting educational facility, full name of the invited person, his/her date of birth, passport number, duration of stay in Russia. The invitation must be signed and sealed by authorized persons.

If you submit the documents for the student visa, please be aware that the national passport has to be valid for no less than 18 month.

WORK VISA

To apply for a work visa an applicant should submit the following documents to the Consular Section:

1. Valid national passport with at least two free pages. The date of expiry of the passport should not be less than six months from the date of departure from the Russian Federation (according to an application form and tourist voucher);

1. Copy of the passport;

1. Completed at http://visa.kdmid.ru visa application form, printed out on one page back-to-back (2 sides on 1 page). Each application form must be signed by the visa applicant personally;

1. One passport-size photo (color, white background);

1. Original visa support letter (invitation) issued by a Local Visa Office of the Russian Ministry of Interior. No copies are accepted. The invitation must contain name of inviting employing company, full name of the invited person, his/her date of birth, passport number, duration of stay in Russia. The invitation must be signed and sealed by authorized persons.

If you submit the documents for the work visa, please be aware that the national passport has to be valid for no less than 18 month.

TRANSIT VISA

To apply for a transit visa an applicant should submit the following documents to the Consular Section:

1. Valid national passport with at least two free pages. The date of expiry of the passport should not be less than six months from the date of departure from the Russian Federation (according to an application form and tourist voucher);

1. Copy of the passport;

1. Completed at http://visa.kdmid.ru visa application form, printed out on one page back-to-back (2 sides on 1 page). Each application form must be signed by the visa applicant personally;

1. One passport-size photo (color, white background);

1. Visa of the country of destination;

1. Tickets for the whole itinerary.

Transit visa can de issued for no longer than 3 days.

Foreign nationals which have the transit via the Russian Federation territory to the Republic of Belarus or the Republic of Kazakhstan should have Russian transit visa.

VISA PROCESSING FEES

Citizens of other countries should apply for the information about visa processing fees to the Consular Section of the Embassy.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Non-Cambodian citizens should also provide proof of legality of their stay in Cambodia when applying for a visa.

Citizens of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland should submit national medical insurance certificate valid for Russia or guarantee of medical coverage from a Russian hosting organization for all period of stay.

Visa processing starts only after the Consular Section have collected all the necessary documents.

Australian citizens arriving in the Russian Federation on official trip or with a business purpose must provide to the Consular Section of the Embassy a detailed CV of themselves prepared in the Russian language.

Visa processing fee is not refundable.

Type of visa or dates of entry/departure can not be changed or extended.

The Consular Section does not provide copy and photo services.

The Consular Section reserves the right to consider visa applications in certain cases as long as it feels necessary. The applicant can be asked to present extra documents not mentioned in paragraphs above.

The Consular Section reserves the right to call the applicants for an interview and ask questions on personal, financial, business, corporate related issues as well as on applicant's Russian contacts and relatives.

Applicant can be denied the entry into the Russian Federation without explanation.