Legal Update: Exemptions from Transitional Fines for Tour Guides and Interpreters of Tour Guides with Expired Licenses
Applicable Industries: Tourism

Ministry of Tourism (“MOT”) issued a Notification on the Exemptions of Transitional Fines for the Expiration of Tour Guides and Interpreters of Tour Guides License dated 23 August 2024 (“Notification”).

This Notification serves to alleviate regulatory burdens and provide significant relief for professionals in Cambodia's tourism sector, particularly tour guides and interpreters, as the industry continues its recovery post-pandemic.

Exemption Period: All tour guides and interpreters with expired licenses are exempt from transitional fines until December 31, 2024. Continuation of Operations: Tour guides and interpreters are allowed to continue their work even if their licenses have expired during this exemption period.

License Renewal: While fines are not being enforced, the MOT highly recommends that tour guides and interpreters renew their expired licenses before the exemption period concludes.

License renewals can be completed at the provincial or municipal tourism offices, ensuring a simple and accessible process for compliance.

Support and Questions: To help professionals through this process, the MOT has made available contact details for more information or assistance. Tour guides and interpreters can contact the MOT at 012 757 376 or 092 779 833 for help with license renewal or any associated questions.

Fee

  • Tour Guides: The fee for renewing domestic tour guide licenses is about $62.50, while for national tour guides, it is around $100, with a validity period of two years.
  • Interpreters: The renewal fee for the interpreter license is roughly $100, and it lasts for six months. Based on our recent discussions with the MOT, the interpreter license is currently mandatory and exclusively available for Korean interpreters. Notably, interpreters are permitted to provide their professional services only in conjunction with licensed tour guides when interpreting for tourists.