Tourist E-Visa Vs "Paying at the door" at Siem Reap Airport

Wow!
Thanks guys - masses of advice here - and helping me save some money and faffing with emails too.

So from your comments we need to -
-"RUN" to immigration - we can do that - clutching a crisp $20 note and 2 x recent Visa pics each.
-Hope that 8 planes have not landed simultaneously - on the Saturday about 3:30pm local time.
- Wait with those travellers with and without E-Visas to get our luggage.... then frantically find our ground agency rep from Vietlong Travel.

I have one last question - as I have seen differing information - at point of arrival - with our $20 - HOW MANY PICS for the normal on arrival VISA are required?

Some sites and books say 1 picture and others say 2 ... I just want to be sure we have it all correct - so we are not holding ourselves up - along with other fidgety travellers.

Thanks again.
Charley x

Thanks from me too, one more question, do the pictures have to be biometrical or is a normal passport photo good enough?

I think you have it all down, charleygirl76. A couple notes: I seem to remember needing two passport sized pictures, but I may be getting senile. Have two ready just in case. I never run to Immigration, just head straight there, no stopping to look, chatting or picture taking etc. Rarely the first in line (or even 5th for that matter) and it still goes quickly. After handing over your application you can grab an Arrival/Departure card to fill out as you wait for them to call your name if none are handed out on the plane. Relax and have a wonderful time in Cambodia.

You do not have to have pictures, an extra Dollar or two will take care of that. And you do not need to run, you still will be in your car faster than pretty much any other airport in the world. And there are not many flights arriving at that time. Don't stress, it is supposed to be a holiday.

Exactly hanno. Just what is it with SOOOOOOOOOO many of the "travelers" today.

Is it safe - is it clean - how long does it take - is there internet - can i use this piece of techno - does the bus have a.c. - toilets - a barber shop - a mall !!!!

Leave it behind, that's the idea isn't it. Well it used to be.

Interesting to hear you comment that many people go for the E-visa because of easy reapplications. In fact the e-visa is a tourist class visa only and you can reapply for a 1 month extension, once only! If you actually require more reapplications then that without doing a border run, then you have no choice but to pay the extra $5 and obtain an "ordinary"class visa at the start and that is only obtainable as a VOA (or prior, by applying well in advance, in person, to your closest Cambodian embassy)

Thanks again for the info -
Not stressed - just curious as to the pros and cons of these different Visa methods.
I just want to ensure that with the limited time we have in Cambodia - and to get the most out of the trip - we are not needlessly stuck in the wrong line, causing a hold , etc - when we could be out in the open - starting our adventure.

We've gone from 2 photo to 1 photo and now to none ... hmmmm all seems rather bizarre if the photo is not even needed then why mention in in the guide books / official website, etc.

Any ideas ??

Photo IS a requirement, but taking a digital photo at immigration for those that don't have one, is just a little "side business" run by the immigration officers. They make a buck or two, and you save $5-$10 that you might have to pay at home. Everyone wins, and it only takes an extra minute. So, bring photos if you have them, but no worries if you don't.

They don't actually take a photo, just a copy of the passport photo. I do not think it is a sideline as this is official policy.

Yes, I guess I shouldn't have said "photo" but, I've never seen anything on a government website suggesting it was an "official" service. But, in Cambodia, it's whatever the guy in charge says it is.