Despite its troubled history, Cambodia has made great strides in recent decades and has become popular with many Western expats. The major cities and towns have developed significant expat communities. This is in part due to the country's relaxed and accommodating attitude towards immigrants.
Temporary Visas
North Americans require a visa to visit Cambodia, but this is largely a formality.
The e-visa can be applied for in advance of your travels via the Cambodian government’s dedicated website. You fill in an online application, pay a $30 visa fee and $7 processing charge, and receive a 30-day single-type tourist visa within three business days.
This is convenient for tourists, but if you are planning to stay in Cambodia for longer than 30 days, then you should instead get a visa on arrival. This is almost as straightforward as the e-visa option but is done in person at immigration when you arrive in Cambodia. There are currently two visa options available:
A single-entry tourist visa valid for 30 days for a fee of $30, which can be given a one-time extension for a maximum of 30 days at a cost of $45.
An “ordinary” or “business” visa valid for 30 days for a fee of $35, which can be renewed indefinitely.
Long-Term Visas
Visa Extensions
Most expats opt to take advantage of Cambodia’s relaxed approach to extending temporary visas. Assuming you entered the country on an ordinary visa, here are the options available to you:
One-Month Single-Entry Visa Extension for a $45 fee
Three-Month Single-Entry Visa Extension for a $75 fee
Six-Month Multiple-Entry Visa Extension for a $150 fee
12-Month Multiple-Entry Visa Extension for a $285 fee
Instead of interacting with Cambodian immigration authorities, any travel agency can issue these extensions.
The one- and three-month options do not permit you to leave the country, while the six- and 12-month options allow you to come and go as often as you like. Each visa extension takes up an entire page in your passport, so you should aim to get the longest visa extension possible.
On the 12-month extension, you are free to live anywhere in Cambodia and can leave and re-enter as many times as you like with no further requirements or paperwork.
Extension of Stay
While there is no official retirement visa, retirees often apply for the long-term (ER Visa) or Retirement Visa, which can be renewed indefinitely as long as the retiree proves financial self-sufficiency and does not work in Cambodia.
Typically, applicants need to be over the age of 55 to qualify for the ER Visa.
You must be retired and no longer working. This means you cannot engage in employment in Cambodia.
You must provide evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Cambodia. This may include pension payments, savings, or other sources of retirement income.
The ER Visa does not permit you to work in Cambodia. If you wish to engage in employment, you would need to apply for a business visa (EB Visa).
The ER Visa is valid for up to 12 months, and it can be renewed indefinitely. There is no official limit on the number of renewals.
Permanent Residency
Cambodia has no official permanent residency category, but de facto permanent residency can be gained through significant investment in the country. Foreigners who invest in businesses, property, or large-scale projects are often granted permanent residency.
Citizenship
Becoming a naturalized citizen of Cambodia is difficult and rare. You must have lived in Cambodia for seven continuous years, demonstrate fluency in the Khmer language, and pass background checks and other conditions set by the government.
Requirements and Documentation
To obtain a Cambodian Retirement Visa, you follow these steps:
Enter Cambodia on an E-Class (Ordinary) Visa.
You can apply for a Retirement Visa (ER Visa) Extension at the immigration department or through visa agencies that handle the process on your behalf.
You will need to submit the following documents:
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of application and have blank pages.
A letter or document proving that you are retired. This could be a pension statement, retirement certificate, or similar documents from your home country.
You may be asked to show proof of financial resources, such as bank statements, pension payments, or proof of savings.
While not always required, some applicants are asked to show proof of health insurance coverage during their stay in Cambodia.
Typically, you will need a few passport-sized photos.
You will need to complete an immigration form and submit it to the immigration office.
The fees for the visa extension vary, but they are typically around $290 to $300 for a one-year retirement visa extension.
The first extension of the ER Visa is typically granted for six months to 1 year. You can renew the ER Visa for up to 12 months at a time, and there is no official limit on how many times you can renew it. Visa agencies often handle renewals for retirees.
Processing Time
Since the visa process is handled in the country after arrival, it typically takes seven to ten days to get a long-term extension of stay or retirement visa.
Cost
See above.
Contacts
Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia
4530 16th Street NW Washington, DC 20011 +1 (202) 726-7742 / +1 (202) 726-7744
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