In as little as 5 years, though, that may change. As part of its strategic plan to encourage tourism in member countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is trying to introduce one travel visa to rule them all: a Schengen-like visa that would allow tourists to travel effortlessly between countries such as Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.

Stuart McDonald of TravelFish.org told the Inquirer Global Nation that visa regulations in these countries are a source of confusion for many would-be travelers: “One of the most common questions that we see on travelfish.org is people asking visa questions: What kind of visa can I get? How long is it valid for? What does it cost? The rules change all the time and it introduces a level of uncertainty and confusion that the industry can do without.”

A common visa for all of Southeast Asia would undoubtedly be a good thing for tourism, but don’t expect it to happen immediately. In its strategic plan, even Asean itself noted that there are many obstacles to overcome first: “The establishment of such a visa will not likely occur in the next five years due to barriers of technology, political issues, concerns of sovereignty and security and the different visa systems in the member states.”

Until that day arrives, here’s a rundown of the visa regulations from several of the most popular Southeast Asian countries:

Thailand Visa Requirements for Tourists

Indonesian Visa Requirements for Tourists

Cambodian Visa Requirements for Tourists

Laos Visa Requirements for Tourists

Vietnam Visa Requirements for Tourists

In the meantime, RushMyTravelVisa is here to help you get the visas you need to travel. For assistance and answers to your travel visa questions, contact us today!

This tiny temple was built in the 10th century AD. Built of red sandstone, it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Part of the attraction of Angkor Wat is its scale: there’s something sublime walking through the immense ruins, half reclaimed by the jungle. But Banteay Srei is proof that good things can come in small packages, too. Asia for Visitors calls Banteay Srei “perhaps the most intricately carved and beautiful of the temples.” Gods and goddesses adorn the temple’s red sandstone walls, all rendered in exquisitely detailed relief.

Tourism of Cambodia gives this rather fanciful description of the site:

“Banteay Srei is an exquisite miniature; a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest; the very thing that Grimm delighted to imagine, and that every child’s heart has yearned after, but which mature years has sadly proved too lovely to be true. And here it is, in the Cambodian forest at Banteay Srei, carved not out of the stuff that dreams are made of, but of solid sandstone.”

To enter Cambodia and see the temple, you’ll need a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Check the expiration date and apply for a passport renewal if necessary.

You’ll also need a Cambodian visa. You can apply for your visa online, at the Cambodian Embassy in Washington, DC or get one when you arrive. For more information on what you’ll need, see Cambodian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

If you decide you want to get your visa in advance, RushMyTravelVisa can help. We’ll research your itinerary to make sure you know exactly what you need for your journey. Then, we’ll help you with the paperwork and expedite your visa for the fastest possible processing.

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The province is also home to some of the last remaining virgin rainforests in the country, and it is quickly becoming model of sustainable development as conservation groups and conservation-minded businesspeople partner with local villagers to build eco-friendly lodges and tourist establishments.

The increased income provided by tourism has given local villagers the incentive and the breathing room to preserve the surrounding forests. Instead of hunting, they now guide tourists. The money that visitors bring in means that families no longer have to engage in destructive practices like illegal logging or slash-and-burn farming to survive.

John Maloy, a spokesman for Wildlife Alliance, told the New York Times that the impact has been profound, especially in the village of Chi Pat:

“Chi Phat was home to the most destructive inhabitants in the whole of Koh Kong province. By participating in the eco-tourism project, community members would not only receive income that would greatly improve their situation, they would be provided with incentives to protect the forest rather than exploit it in an unsustainable manner.”

If the idea of hiking, biking and kayaking through unspoiled wilderness appeals to you, you should probably make arrangements to go as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the New York Times also notes that much of the province is being sold off to developers with a vastly different outlook on sustainability. It remains to be seen how long Chi Pat’s tranquility will last.

To visit, you’ll need a passport and a Cambodian visa. Cambodia does issue visas on arrival if you come in through Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airport, or if you enter by land at a major border crossing. You can also get a Cambodian visa in the US, before you leave for your trip, if you’d prefer not to have to go through the application process at the airport. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A Cambodian visa application.
• 2 passport-sized photos.
• Your US passport. Check the expiration date as it needs to be valid for at least 6 months past the date you plan to enter Cambodia-if yours expires sooner than that, you’ll need to apply for a passport renewal before you can travel. Also, make sure there’s enough room in the back for your visa and add pages if necessary.

• A copy of your travel itinerary.

RushmyTravelVisa makes it a snap to apply for a Cambodian visa. When you apply through us, your visa specialist will help you with the paperwork, answer any questions and deliver your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

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1. Angkor Wat

The national symbol of Cambodia, Angkor Wat is a massive Hindu temple/Buddhist shrine. Built in the early 12th century, it towers over the surrounding jungle, richly decorated with reliefs, sculptures and statues.

2. Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s capital is another must-see. Bustling and vibrant, Phnom Penh is a great place to shop, eat, or just contemplate Cambodian history, whether in a gilded Buddhist temple or at a somber memorial to the people who died in Cambodia’s killing fields.

3. Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a great base for visiting the temples at Angkor Wat, but it’s also an interesting city in its own right. Located on the banks of the Siem Reap river, the town center is full of picture-perfect French colonial architecture. Traffic to the temples of Angkor Wat has a sparked a tourism boom, with lots of excellent places to stay and world-class restaurants.

4. Preah Vihear

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple of Preah Vihear is located along Cambodia’s border with Thailand. It dates back to the 9th century, and like Angkor Wat, it was originally built as a Hindu temple and later converted to Buddhism.

5. Ratanakiri Province

Remote Ratanakiri Province is an excellent destination for adventure tourism. Here’s how the Lonely Planet’s guide to Cambodia describes it:

Adrenaline activities are plentiful. Swim in clear volcanic lakes, shower under waterfalls, glimpse an elephant or trek in the vast Virachay National Park – it’s all here.

To visit Cambodia, Americans need a Cambodian visa. If you’re flying in, you can apply on arrival at the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports. However, you can also get your visa before you leave the US, and this will allow you to escape the airport more quickly.

To learn more about getting a Cambodian tourist visa, see Cambodian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Remember, RushmyTravelVisa.com can make the visa application process easier by offering assistance with the application, helping you avoid common mistakes, and getting the fastest possible processing.

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Located along a cliff for maximum dramatic impact, the temple is an impressive sight for pilgrims and tourists alike.

Since the temple is located right along the border of Thailand and Cambodia, it was the source of a decades -long dispute between the two countries.  However, in 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia. If you enter Preah Vihear from Thailand as a day trip, you won’t need a Cambodian visa. However, American tourists staying in Cambodia do need Cambodian visas.

You can get a Cambodian visa on arrival if you enter at a major border crossing or fly in through Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports.  You can also apply in advance if you’d prefer to have it hand before you leave the States.  Here’s what you need to apply:

• A Cambodian visa application.
• 2 passport-sized photos.
• Your US passport. Check the expiration date as it needs to be valid for at least 6 months past the date you plan to enter Cambodia-if yours expires sooner than that, you’ll need to apply for a passport renewal before you can travel. Also, make sure there’s enough room in the back for your visa and add pages if necessary.

• A copy of your travel itinerary.

RushmyTravelVisa can make applying for a Cambodian visa quick and painless. We’ll walk you through the application process and deliver your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Cambodian visa today!