Cambodia
KHMCambodia is a Southeast Asian developing economy with one of the simplest long-stay visa regimes in the region — the renewable 12-month E-class visa is widely available to retirees, remote workers, and small-business owners. Tax residency triggers at 183 days; foreign-source income is generally not taxed (territorial application in practice).
Citizenship by investment is technically available via a $245,000 government donation but is rarely used by Western applicants; dual citizenship is permitted. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have established expat communities; healthcare quality is limited and most expats rely on Bangkok for serious medical care.
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Cambodian riel (KHR) — USD widely accepted
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Phnom Penh
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 16,770,000
- Cost-of-living
- 38 /100
Passport Rank
#92
Visa-Free
48
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Cambodia passport has visa-free access to 48 destinations. See the full Cambodia passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Cambodia without a prior visa (193)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Cambodia
Current IRCC processing times for Cambodia nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 49 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 5 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Phnom Penh
- Currency
- Cambodian riel (KHR) — USD widely accepted
- Languages
- Khmer
- Population
- 16,770,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon
- English Proficiency Rank
- #95
- GDP per capita
- $2,872
- Life expectancy
- 70.82 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.18%/yr
- Territorial Taxation
- Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
38
Safety
50
Healthcare
55
Quality of Life
95
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- Yes — foreign-sourced income may not be taxed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phnom Penh | $600 | $380 | $230 | $130 | $30 |
| Siem Reap | $380 | $250 | $210 | $110 | $25 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- T Tourist Visa
- E Ordinary Visa
- EB Business Visa
- EG General Visa
- ER Retirement Visa
- ES Student Visa
- EP Spouse / Dependent Visa
- Investor Visa
- Diplomatic / Official Visa
- Transit Visa
- Authority
- General Department of Immigration
- Official Portal
- www.immigration.gov.kh
- Phone
- +855 23 581 558
- info@immigration.gov.kh
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 7
- Language Test
- Yes (basic Khmer)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $600
- Processing
- ~24 months
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP) | Phnom Penh | IB | $14,000–$26,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
38 Mbps median
50% fibre coverage
eSIM: Smart Axiata, Cellcard, Metfone
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- —
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Limited
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Cambodia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia
BAKCProfessional body of lawyers in Cambodia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Cambodia, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
ER Retirement Visa (E-class retirement sub-class)
ResidenceFor you if you are retired and aged 55 or over: the ER is the E-class retirement sub-class that lets you live in Cambodia long term by renewing the visa - though it does not lead to permanent residence.
Work (sponsored)
EB Business Visa (E-class ordinary visa, business/employment)
Work (sponsored)For you if you are coming to Cambodia to work or do business: the EB is the most common long-stay visa, an extension of the E-class ordinary visa - but please read the honesty note, because working also needs a separate Work Permit.
EP Employment Visa (E-class qualified-worker sub-class)
Work (sponsored)For you if you are taking up employment in Cambodia: the EP is an E-class extension oriented towards qualified workers and employees - and, like the EB, it still needs a separate Work Permit before you can legally work.
Study
ES Student Visa (E-class student sub-class)
StudyFor you if you are studying in Cambodia: the ES is the E-class student sub-class, letting you stay for your studies by renewing the visa with a letter from a registered school.
Work (unsponsored)
EG Job-Seeking Visa (E-class job-seeking sub-class)
Work (unsponsored)For you if you are coming to Cambodia to look for work or get set up before a job starts: the EG is the E-class general sub-class often used while you are job-seeking - and it does not, on its own, let you work.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified