Nicaragua Diplomatic, Official and Service Passport Holders Get Cambodia Visa Waiver

Cambodia and Nicaragua have agreed to exempt holders of diplomatic, official and service passports from visa requirements, as part of a package of accords reached during their first bilateral political consultations. The talks were held in Managua on 18 and 19 October 2026 and marked 32 years of diplomatic relations, which were established in 1994.

Key facts

• What: a visa exemption agreement covering diplomatic, official and service passports, signed in Phnom Penh in April 2026
• Who it covers: holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of Cambodia and Nicaragua
• Where the talks took place: Managua, Nicaragua, on 18–19 October 2026
• Officials involved: Meas Kim Heng, secretary of state at Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Valdrack Jaentschke, Nicaragua's co-minister of foreign affairs
• Next round of consultations: Phnom Penh, in 2028

What was agreed on visas?

The two governments welcomed progress that included the signing of an agreement on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports. The agreement was signed in Phnom Penh in April 2026, alongside a memorandum of understanding on political consultations covering issues of common interest.

The source does not state when the visa exemption enters into force, how long visa-free stays may last, or what conditions apply. Travellers holding these passport categories should confirm the current status before travelling.

Who is affected?

Only holders of diplomatic, official or service passports are named in the exemption agreement. Ordinary passport holders are not covered by anything announced in these consultations, and no changes to standard tourist or business visa rules are mentioned.

What else came out of the talks?

Meas Kim Heng and Valdrack Jaentschke were joined by Laureano Ortega Murillo, Nicaragua's presidential adviser for promoting investment, trade and international cooperation. The delegations exchanged views on political and economic developments and agreed to explore cooperation in trade, investment, culture, tourism and parliamentary relations.

Both sides also reaffirmed plans to work more closely through the United Nations and the Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation. Bilateral trade remains limited: in 2024, Nicaragua exported goods worth $1.13 million to Cambodia, while Cambodia's exports to Nicaragua totalled $4.37 million.

Kim Heng separately met Gustavo Porras Cortés, president of Nicaragua's National Assembly, who raised the possibility of inviting Cambodia's Parliamentary Friendship Group with Nicaragua to visit the country.

What this means for travellers

Holders of Cambodian or Nicaraguan diplomatic, official or service passports are the only travellers affected by the visa agreement signed so far. Because no start date is given in the announcement, those planning travel should verify whether the exemption is already in force before departure.

The next round of political consultations is due to take place in Phnom Penh in 2028.