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Consular ripoff

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Jaywalker

Raver

Joined: July 05, 2004
Posts: 440

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 27, 2006 - 12:10 AM
Post subject: Consular ripoff

Forgot to post this after a recent holiday to Cambodia...

The Cambodian consulate here in Shanghai charges around double the real visa cost, and when questioned about the disparity at the time of picking it up stated that it included the departure tax.

I found this to be a lie (at the Phnom Penh airport). Officials there had clearly had heard this all before and shrugged it off, referring me back to the SH consulate.

I asked a few people there, including a tour group and some regular business travelers. Most knew about it, and simply applied for the visa when they arrive at the airport.

BTW there was no receipt issued by the consular staff and they only accept cash payment, so there is no means of proving the claim.

Happy holidays!

gothsusie

Ranter

Joined: Oct 24, 2005
Posts: 522
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 27, 2006 - 09:27 AM

Wow that sounds pretty bad! Is it easy to get the visa at the airport at Phnom Penh or do they have certain restrictrions? How much should it cost?

lucyna

Veejay

Joined: Aug 03, 2006
Posts: 2166

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 27, 2006 - 09:44 AM

Quote:

BTW there was no receipt issued by the consular staff and they only accept cash payment, so there is no means of proving the claim.

It's tricky. In my experience on applications, even I paid cash I still got a receipt for it. It's unusual no receipt for payments.

horsemandk

StreetBeater

Joined: Mar 23, 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 28, 2006 - 10:22 AM

You might also encounter the opposite problem, where they try and charge you in Phonm Penh airport even though you have a valid visa. Just ask for a receipt and they wont bother arguing with you Smile

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dfoo

Post Roaster

Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Posts: 4140

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 28, 2006 - 10:33 AM

I got my visa in Shanghai for Cambodia. He definitely over-charged, and I knew it at the time (2x the real cost). He also would not give me a receipt. However, I wanted to avoid any hassles at Cambodia... so I breezed on through customs there -- no waiting. Smile

spandex

Raver

Joined: June 06, 2006
Posts: 474

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 28, 2006 - 11:00 AM

Suppose it depends on your nationality as to whether you can get visa on arrival in Cambodia. It cost me US$20 for visa on arrival at Phnom Penh airport a few years ago, just needed a photograph, complete the application, and pay your money. Easy and quick. Sounds like the Shanghai Cambodian consulate are operating a scam and creaming off money to fatten their pay cheques.

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Jaywalker

Raver

Joined: July 05, 2004
Posts: 440

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 28, 2006 - 03:35 PM

FYI, everyone who I spoke to waiting for the plane back to SH who had done the trip before knew about the scam and got their visa on arrival - including Chinese mainlanders, Aussies, Kiwis and an HKer.

All in all not a place I'll bother going back to for a holiday. For example, on the beach next to the one we were staying at in Sihanoukville a French guy had his throat cut and his body found the next morning. Apparently/supposedly he had just bought a local B&B with cash. Also, in PP while there after a minor traffic accident a guy whipped an AK 47 out of the boot and strafed the other car/driver/passengers - not a happy ending I'm afraid.

The landmine museum in Siem Reap was compelling as a 16yo boy with only one leg took me around the exhibit talking to me very frankly and matter of factly about the how and what of it all. That is what will stay with me from the trip. Anyone who reaches for the armed approach to conflict should visit places like this first - people are very soft targets, not 'collateral damage'.