What is required for Cambodian Citizenship by Investment

Specifically this is an investment by residency, in which the timeline for residency which is normally 7 years, or 3 years if married is eliminated and citizenship can be immediately applied for. Please see translated text of citizenship act below at the bottom of this section.

• An investment of 1.25 billions Riels (approx USD300,000) in a qualifying investment in Cambodia (If the investor chooses make a donation, there is a method where via a loan only $50,000 of the $300,000 is required) however, the fees will total 50,000 and the deposit will NOT be recouped.

• Obtained a Police Clearance letter from their home country

• Obtained a Police Clearance letter in Cambodia; and

• That they are of sound mind and physical health

The family of the applicant may apply for citizenship once the main applicant has been approved. The family is considered as the legal spouse and children under the age of 18.

• The application takes between 3 and 6 months to process

• Applicants may choose a local Khmer name for their new citizenship documents (name change)

• Once approved, applicants need to take an oath

• Successful applicants will be issued with a Royal Decree of Naturalization (certificate), National ID Card and Cambodian passport

What is the cost of the process in total?

USD85,000 in fees plus the applicant must make an investment of USD300,000 or more. The fees are payable as follows:

• USD5,000 Deposit

• USD25,000 Before the application is submitted

• USD40,000 When the application is approved by the government

• USD15,000 when the passport is ready for collection

The whole procedure can be completed in 3 – 5 months.

The 1996 Law on Nationality, which describes how foreigners may acquire Cambodian citizenship, and in particular Articles 10 and 11 which describe how foreign investors may qualify for Cambodian citizenship. On the 31st May 2013, the government authorities of the Kingdom of Cambodia passed Sub Decree 287 into law, “Forms and Procedures of Proposed Naturalization”. Sub-Decree No. 287 deals with the Application and Procedure for Nationalization, stating that a foreigner has to submit an application and pass an exam of Khmer Literature, determined by the Prakas of the Minister of Interior.

Are there multiple ways of investment, or one existing route?

Most applicants choose to invest in land, however it does not specify in the citizenship act what the invesment class must be. It may also be possible to gain citizenship through the following ways:

birth (jus sanguinis)

birth (jus solei)

marriage (and 3 years of residency)

7 years of residency

investment - letter of authorization for investment from the Cambodian Development Council (CDC), spent initial capital of from 1,250,000,000 riels and up

donation - Any foreigner who has made a donation in cash, to the national budget of from 1,000,000,000 riels or more, for the interest of restoration and rebuilding of economy of the Kingdom of Cambodia

What are the benefits of becoming a Cambodian citizen?

Ability to live in Cambodia without having to obtain visa
Ability to work
Ability to buy land freely
visa free access to about 50 countries
Visa free in Asean
Apply for concessions and licenses from the government that are only available to Cambodian nationals.
Who are the most common investors for the Cambodian citizenship-by-investment program?

Persons who travel in the region but not able to travel visa free.
Travel Benefits
As a Cambodian passport holder you can enjoy visa free (including visa-on-arrival and e-visa)
Key Countries include:
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• South Korea
• India
• Thailand
What are the relevant aspects of the 1996 law?

A foreigner who may apply for naturalization shall fulfil the following conditions:

  1- shall have a paper certifying that he/she has good behaviour and moral conduct issued by the chief of the commune (Khum) or quarter (Sangkat) of his/her own residence.
2- shall have a letter of certification of the past criminal record which stated that he/she had never been convicted for any criminal offence before.
3- shall have a paper certifying that such person has his/her residence in the Kingdom of Cambodia and who has been living continuously for seven (7) years from the date of reception of a residence card which was issued under framework of the Law on Immigration.
4- shall have residence in the Kingdom of Cambodia at the time when he/she is applying for naturalization.
5- shall be able to speak khmer, know khmer scripts and has some knowledges of khmer history, and prove clear evidence that he/she can live in harmony in khmer society as well as can get used to good khmer custom and tradition.
6- shall have his/her mentality and physical aptitude which will cause neither danger nor burden to the nation.

Article 11:
For any foreigner who has no letter of authorization for investment from the Cambodian Development Council (CDC.), but who had received authorization for investment legetimately from the Royal Government and who had spent initial capital of from 1,250,000,000 riels and up, the period of living as stated in the sub-para 3 of the article 8 of this law, shall be exempted.

    Article 12:
Any foreigner who has made a donation in cash, to the national budget of from 1,000,000,000 riels or more, for the interest of restoration and rebuilding of economy of the Kingdom of Cambodia, may have right to file an application for khmer nationality, in case when upon he/she has fulfilled the conditions as stated in the sub-paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the article 8 of this law.

    Article 13:
A foreigner who has shown evidence that he/she had offered any special merit or achievement for the interest of the Kingdom of Cambodia, may file an application for khmer nationality and with no need to fulfil the conditions as stated in the sub-para.3 of the article 8 of this law.