Guide To Cambodian Citizenship By Investment

Cambodia is a country in southeastern Asia that borders Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. The population is almost entirely Buddhist, and it is home to many famous temples, such as Angkor Wat, known as the eighth wonder of the world. The cost of living in Cambodia is very reasonable, especially for rent, food, and domestic help. 

Cambodia is a fairly safe country. The homicide rate is extremely low, and the most common danger is petty theft.

Most Cambodians live in rural areas practicing subsistence agriculture. Infrastructure is generally quite underdeveloped, especially as you leave the capital region. Nonetheless, Cambodia has a rapidly growing economy, with annual growth rates of 7.7% between 1998 and 2019. Cambodia has also benefited heavily from Chinese involvement in its economy, attracting $2.32 billion in fixed-asset investment in 2021.

CAMBODIAN CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT

The 1996 Cambodia Law of Nationality offered a pathway to citizenship for foreign investors who did not want to wait the typical naturalization period of seven years. There are two basic paths to citizenship by investment in Cambodia.

The first is to donate a sum of $245,000 to the Cambodian government. The second option is to make an investment of $305,000 in a project which is approved by the Cambodian Development Council (CDC).

This program is a direct pathway to citizenship. After only three to six months after donating to the Cambodian treasury or investing in an approved project, you should have Cambodian citizenship.

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Cambodian Flag

CAMBODIA MY SECOND HOME PROGRAM

In July of 2022, the Cambodian government launched the Cambodia My Second Home Program, a ten-year investment visa. The primary requirement is an investment of $100,000 in government-approved real estate. This visa allows the right to reside in Cambodia for a period of up to ten years, with unlimited entries and exits from the country. In addition, it is a pathway to citizenship, which can be applied for after just five years.

In addition to securing you the visa, this program also grants you membership in the Khmer Home Charity Association (KHCA). The KHCA is an association of accountants, lawyers, government representatives, and financial professionals who can assist you in establishing business interests in Cambodia. They offer a one-time complimentary VIP airport pickup and can also help you set up a bank account and register your company before you are even in Cambodia. They can also quickly arrange a working permit on your arrival so that you can hit the ground running, as well as arrange your real estate investment.

There are several advantages to the My Second Home Program:

• There are no language or academic requirements
• A processing time of only fourteen days from application to approval.
• You get one year of free medical coverage bundled in with your visa.

Approximately 10,000 of these investment visas will be issued.

The requirements for Cambodia’s My Second Home Program are:

• You must be from a country or region recognized by the Cambodian government
• Your application must receive approval from the Ministry of the Interior
• You must be 18 years or older
• You must make an investment of at least $100,000 in an approved real estate project

The application process is as follows:

• Submit the registration and application forms
• Provide copies of any academic and professional certifications you might have
• Provide copies of your driver's license or other identity documents, as well as your passport
• Submit five passport photos
• Provide copies of identity documents for any family members who will be coming with you

You also need to provide certified copies of your bank statement, proof of income, titles to any assets you may own, documentation on any companies you may own, marriage certificate, birth certificate for any dependents, proof of payment, and clean bill of health.

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Riding an Elephant at sunset in Cambodia

BENEFITS OF CAMBODIAN CITIZENSHIP

As a Cambodian citizen, you would have the right to reside in Cambodia indefinitely, as well as to come and go as you please. Simply having a backup passport and the ability to start a new life in a foreign country at the drop of the hat is a valuable asset as well. Because Cambodia has a low cost of living, you should be able to live very comfortably there without having to spend very much money. The weather is warm, and you don’t have to suffer from cold winters.

Cambodian culture is exotic, so by living there, you would have the opportunity to expose yourself to an entirely different way of life and cultural belief system. Cambodia is also a beautiful country to explore. You can eat breakfast with a view of the Ocean, explore Buddhist temples, or go hiking through a jungle. Or take the ferry from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and witness some spectacular views along the way. The people of Cambodia are friendly and kind, and the use of English is becoming increasingly common. Cambodian cuisine is both healthy and delicious, and the smaller sized portions make it easy to lose weight. 

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Cambodia Street Food

TAX IMPLICATIONS OF CAMBODIAN CITIZENSHIP

If you become a tax resident of Cambodia by spending more than 182 days there in a 12-month period, then you owe taxes to the Cambodian government on any income you earn worldwide. Non-tax residents only owe taxes on income that is sourced from within Cambodia. Technically Cambodia doesn’t have an income tax; it is instead a salary tax applied every month. This salary tax is progressive, with a top rate of 20% for a salary over 12,500,000 Cambodian riels ($3,055 USD at the time this was written). Non-residents pay a flat 20% tax on any Cambodian-sourced salary.

One tax benefit to Cambodian citizenship is that you pay a reduced rate on rental income. Foreigners must pay 14% of gross rental income in tax to the Cambodian government, whereas Cambodian citizens only have to pay 10%. Corporate tax rates are 20% for large and medium businesses, whereas small businesses pay a progressive income tax with a top rate of 20%. There is also a VAT of 10%, although certain goods and services are excluded.

Cambodian riel