Citizenship by Investment/Cambodia

Invest in your
Cambodia citizenship

Become Global Citizen is the most reliable platform for investing in citizenship with ease and security. Discover exclusive real estate opportunities in Southeast Asia with your Cambodian passport.

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Passport Index Ranking

The Cambodian passport is ranked among the top 100 in the 2024 Passport Index.

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Visa-free travel destinations

Travel visa-free or obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) or electronic travel authorization (ETA).

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Southeast Asian countries reach

Expand your mobility options with visa-free access to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, India, and Thailand.

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Unlock new opportunities in Southeast Asia with Cambodian citizenship.

Reside and work in Cambodia without limitations and benefit from visa-free travel across the ASEAN region, including destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, India, and Thailand.

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Exclusive business and real estate opportunities available only to Cambodian citizens.

Only Cambodian citizens are allowed to purchase land or property in Cambodia, driving many foreign investors to seek Cambodian citizenship, as foreigners can only lease land and property for up to 50 years.

Cambodia boasts abundant untapped natural resources and fertile land, and its real estate market has consistently outperformed other Southeast Asian countries, maintaining stability even amid global and regional recessions in recent decades.

Acquiring Cambodian citizenship is essential if you wish to directly purchase land for agricultural or real estate investments, either personally or through a Cambodian company.

Additionally, citizenship grants access to exclusive concessions and licenses from the Cambodian government that are reserved for Khmer nationals.

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Cambodian citizenship provides enhanced privacy, diversification, and asset protection.

You and your family can adopt a new Khmer name, enabling you to transfer a portion of your wealth under this new identity.

In an era where privacy is increasingly compromised in many Western countries, having a second citizenship offers a discreet way to safeguard part of your assets.

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A secure, stable, and reliable country.

Cambodia stands out as one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia, featuring a warm climate throughout the year and a low cost of living.

As a member of the ASEAN Economic Community, it provides regional trade advantages, including free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and capital flow.

Benefit from political stability, a robust banking system, straightforward profit repatriation, and favorable tax conditions.

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Cambodia permits dual citizenship for you and your family, without any restrictions.

Obtain Khmer nationality while retaining your existing passport, and extend citizenship to your family (spouse and children under 18) upon becoming a citizen.

With your new citizenship, you’ll enjoy lifelong benefits and security. Additionally, Cambodia offers citizenship by descent to individuals with at least one Khmer parent and citizenship by birth to those born in Cambodia, regardless of their parents' nationality, as long as they are legally residing in the Kingdom.

Requirements to get Cambodia Citizenship by Investment

  • Must be over 18 years old.
  • Must have a clean criminal and immigration record.
  • Must be in good health.
  • Possessing any valid passport and a current visa for entry into Cambodia, with no nationality restrictions.
  • Successful completion of a history and Cambodian language test.

Once the primary applicant is approved, their family members (spouse and children under 18) can also apply for citizenship. For investors, the standard naturalization requirements, such as the 7-year residency mandate and Khmer language proficiency, are waived.

Investment options to acquire Cambodian Citizenship

Donation

Contribute KHR 1,000,000 riels (approximately $245,000 USD) to the Royal Government of Cambodia. This donation supports the Cambodian economy by enhancing the national budget.

Business Investment

Invest at least KHR 1,250,000 riels (approximately $305,000 USD) in a project endorsed by the Cambodian Development Council (CDC) or one that has obtained authorization from the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Additional Fees

  • US$5,000 deposit;

  • US$25,000 due before the application is submitted;

  • US$40,000 upon government approval of the application;

  • US$15,000 when the passport is ready for collection;

  • US$5,000 in fees for dependents, spouse and any children under the age of 18 may apply for citizenship after the main applicant has been granted citizenship.

Step-by-Step guide to acquiring Cambodian Citizenship by Investment

The Cambodian Citizenship by Investment Program, also known as the Khmer Citizenship Program, is quite challenging to navigate.

  1. The processing time for the citizenship application typically ranges from 3 to 6 months, depending on individual circumstances.
  2. Applicants are required to pass an exam in Khmer Literature, which is administered by the Ministry of Interior's Prakas.
  3. After your application is approved, you will need to make the necessary investment and fulfill the final financial requirements.
  4. You must have a valid visitor visa or be eligible for visa-free entry to Cambodia in order to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Finally, you will receive your Cambodian citizenship and passport.

Cambodia passport renewal

If your Cambodian passport is about to expire, has been damaged, lost, or has less than 6 months of validity left, you will need to renew it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to renewing your Cambodian passport from overseas:

  1. Download and fill out the passport renewal application form from the Cambodian embassy’s website.
  2. Attach two recent standard passport photos, taken within the last 6 months, ensuring to trim any white borders.
  3. Provide copies of any current visas, your Cambodian birth certificate, the bio-data page of your current Cambodian passport, and the ID or passport of the authorized person in Cambodia.
  4. Pay the renewal fee via cash, bank check, or money order. You may use a single check for multiple applications.
  5. Send your completed application, photos, document copies, fee, and a prepaid return envelope to the consular section of the Cambodian Royal Embassy. Processing typically takes 2-3 business days.
  6. Upon receipt of your new passport, the old one will be invalidated by clipping its corners, but it should be kept with the new passport. The visa in your old passport will remain valid until its expiration.

It's advisable to renew your passport approximately 6 months before it expires. Many countries, including Cambodia, require that your passport remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Renewing in advance helps you avoid potential issues with visa applications and travel plans.

Advantages and disadvantages of acquiring Cambodian Citizenship by Investment

Benefits Challenges
Exclusive rights to purchase, own, and sell land in Cambodia provide financial security in its expanding economy and booming real estate market. Increasing property values and rental yields offer additional investment prospects for Cambodian citizens. The Cambodian citizenship by investment program is often ambiguous and inconsistent, frequently necessitating connections with the King, who ultimately grants citizenship. This lack of transparency and clearly defined procedures makes the process challenging for many applicants.
Gain access to Cambodia’s economic opportunities and the advantages of ASEAN membership, including the free movement of goods, services, investments, and skilled labor within the region. Investing in property in Cambodia for citizenship involves risks such as incomplete land registries, potential ownership disputes, and exposure to natural disasters in certain areas.
Cambodia permits dual citizenship, allowing individuals to retain their original nationality while acquiring Khmer citizenship. There are no official nationality restrictions, so you can gain Cambodian citizenship without renouncing your existing one. The Cambodian citizenship by investment program is costly compared to its benefits, requiring substantial donations, investments, and additional fees.
Enhanced privacy, asset protection, and potential tax advantages on real estate transactions as a Cambodian citizen. A Cambodian passport provides fewer global mobility and travel benefits compared to many other second passports, making it less appealing for those primarily seeking citizenship for travel purposes.

Cambodian CBI vs Caribbean CBI programs

Caribbean citizenship programs are generally more established and successful than Cambodia's newer program.

  Caribbean CBI Cambodia CBI
Cost Reduced thresholds:

$100K-$200K for donations or $200K-$400K for real estate.

Potentially higher investment requirements.
Benefits Significant passport advantages: visa-free entry to over 140 countries, including the UK and the EU Schengen Area. Exclusive access to the U.S. E-2 visa through Grenada. Less robust passport with limited global mobility.
Processing Efficient processing times of 3-6 months, with Dominica recognized for its expedited procedures. Uncertain processing times.
Reputation Robust due diligence and program integrity, aligned with international standards. Less transparent program details.
Restrictions Restrictions apply to applicants from countries such as Russia, Belarus, Iran, and North Korea. There are no official restrictions on any nationalities.

are you eligible for
Cambodia citizenship?

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Become a citizen of Cambodia

The legal foundation of this program is outlined in the Cambodian Law on Nationality of 1996, specifically in Chapter 4, Articles 10, 11, and 12. For further details, please refer to the official website of the Ministry of Interior.