Cambodia Citizenship by Investment: A 2026 Guide

Due to the low cost of living, favorable tax treatment, and ample investment opportunities, Southeast Asia is an attractive destination for high-net-worth individuals looking to maintain or grow their wealth. However, obtaining citizenship in countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand entails a lengthy naturalization process.

Cambodia offers a rare alternative through citizenship by investment, a direct pathway for wealthy investors to obtain nationality in Southeast Asia.

In this article, we’ll present the value of Cambodia citizenship by investment and discuss:

• Eligibility criteria
• The application process
• Benefits of citizenship

Cambodia Citizenship by Investment Requirements

There are two ways to qualify for a Cambodian citizenship by investment:

1. Donations: You must contribute at least 1 billion Riel (USD 245,000–USD 250,000) to the Cambodian Royal Government
2. Investment: You must invest at least 1.35 billion Riel (USD 305,000–USD 312,000) in either a project that’s been authorised for investment by the Royal Government, or a project that has a letter of approval from the Cambodian Development Council. However, in practice, the current minimum investment is USD 1,000,000, and you would have to be heavily involved in the process (establish a business and execute the investment), so this is not a recommended route

Aside from the minimum investment requirements, you must also be at least 18 years old and have no criminal record. 

Cambodia also allows for dual citizenship, meaning you won’t have to cut ties with your home country to become a Cambodian citizen. However, you should still verify your home country’s stance on dual citizenship before pursuing this route to avoid potential legal issues down the line.

How To Get Citizenship in Cambodia

To pursue Cambodian citizenship through the donation route, you’ll need to take the following steps:

1. Make the contribution and complete the related tasks
2. Undergo the application evaluation
3. Take the oath of allegiance

Make the Contribution and Complete the Related Tasks

Your first step requires making a non-refundable, one-time contribution of $250,000 to the Royal Government of Cambodia. You are also required to establish a local company in Cambodia, obtain a business visa linked to the company, and open a corporate and personal bank account.

While the company formation and bank account setups can be done completely remotely, you will have to visit Cambodia to make the contribution.

As part of the process, you will also be required to gather the following documents that you’ll submit to the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Immigration:

• A valid passport
• A copy of your current Cambodian visa (if you have one)
• Police clearance from your primary country of residence
• Medical exam certification
• Financial statements showing economic stability
• Proof of residency
• If you also intend to apply for your spouse and children, you’ll need to provide additional documentation as proof of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate and birth certificates.

All of the documents must also be attested and translated into Khmer by an authorized translator. To get attested, the documents must be verified by the foreign affairs office in your home country and the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wait for the Application Evaluation

Once you submit the documentation, the Ministry of Interior will initiate the evaluation process. It typically lasts around six months from the moment of application. During this time, the Department of Immigration will verify the authenticity of your documentation and conduct background checks.

You’re also required to visit the country at least once to undergo in-person interviews and a final review by the citizenship committee.

If your application gets approved, it will be brought before the king of Cambodia, who can then grant citizenship through a Royal Decree. 

Take the Oath of Allegiance

After you receive approval, you must make another visit to the country to express your loyalty to Cambodia and swear to obey its laws by taking the Oath of Allegiance.

When you take the oath, you’ll need to provide your biometrics and verify your identity so that you can receive official documentation. This includes your Cambodian passport, national ID, and a family book—a prerequisite for receiving healthcare, applying for land titles, and validating documents such as birth and marriage certificates.

The Benefits of Cambodian Citizenship by Investment

Having Cambodian citizenship means that you qualify for many benefits available specifically to nationals. The most notable advantages include:

1. Access to a fast-growing business landscape
2. Access to the ASEAN region (consisting of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam)
3. Minimal physical presence requirements
4. Ability to purchase land

Access to a Fast-Growing Business Landscape

Cambodia is considered one of the world’s fastest-growing frontier markets in Asia, projected by the Asian Development Bank to have a stable, solid growth in 2026. The sectors currently experiencing rapid economic development include manufacturing, tourism, and real estate.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has prioritized attracting foreign investors with benefits that include complete foreign ownership of companies in almost all sectors, corporate tax holidays, reduced corporate tax rates, and seamless repatriation of foreign capital. The dollar-based system enables transactions in stable global currency and reduces the currency exchange risks.

The measures Cambodia implements to promote economic growth make it a very attractive option for investors seeking lucrative business opportunities.

Access to the ASEAN Region

Cambodia is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a grouping of 11 nations including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Through ASEAN membership, Cambodian citizens can enjoy several important benefits, including:

Benefit	Explanation
Simplified regional travel	Citizens of ASEAN member states may be granted visa-free entry across the region for visiting purposes. The length of stay depends on individual country agreements and ranges from seven to 30 days
Professional recognition	Under Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), individuals working in fields like engineering, accounting, and medicine can have their credentials recognized across ASEAN member states, enabling regional business opportunities
Access to the international market	Under ASEAN’s investment agreements, citizens of member states must receive treatment that’s at least equally favorable to the treatment of the country’s own citizens and foreign investors. This applies to starting and managing companies, as well as selling investments

It’s important to note that, for taxation purposes, ASEAN’s agreements don’t override any existing tax treaties Cambodia has with other countries. If there’s a conflict between the ASEAN taxation agreement and a tax treaty, the treaty takes precedence, but only for the conflicting parts.

Minimal Physical Presence Requirements

One of the most important benefits of the Cambodia citizenship by investment scheme is its minimal physical presence requirement. Once you submit your documentation, you only need to visit the country two to three times to partake in the interviews and assessments in the application process.

This minimal presence requirement makes Cambodian citizenship through investment particularly attractive to high-net-worth expats who might want an entry point into the region without having to immediately relocate to maintain residency status.

Access to Land Ownership

An important distinction between Cambodian residency and citizenship is the limitation on purchasing real estate. Under the Cambodian Constitution, only citizens of the country have the right to land ownership.

While land ownership options for expats living in Cambodia have expanded in recent years, they are still limited to buying condominium units above the ground floor. As a result, foreign investors must rely on other methods to own land, such as:

1. Strata title: Allows expats to fully own a specific apartment unit within a larger complex, letting them freely modify, lease, or sell it
2. Nominee structure: Enables ownership by nominating a trusted Cambodian citizen as the property owner. However, this method is highly discouraged as it relies on circumventing the Constitution
3. Long-term leasing: Individuals and foreign organizations can lease Cambodian property through a Perpetual Lease, which grants them property rights for 15–50 years, with the possibility of renewal. This type of lease also grants foreign citizens exclusive rights over the property throughout the lease period, with certain restrictions

Once you obtain Cambodian citizenship, you gain full legal right to own land in your name, as well as freely buy, sell, or lease it, making it a significant practical advantage for high-net-worth expats.

Other Citizenship Pathways in Cambodia

Aside from citizenship by investment, Cambodia also provides several other ways for foreign individuals to acquire citizenship:

Citizenship Type	Requirements
Citizenship by birth	At least one parent must be a Cambodian citizen
Naturalization	You must maintain legal residency in the country for at least five years, have a functional understanding of the Khmer language and customs, and own the financial means to support yourself
Citizenship by marriage	You must be married to a Cambodian citizen for at least three years and maintain residency in the country for at least a year and a half to qualify. You must also submit documentation that verifies the legitimacy of the marriage

The appropriate path to citizenship depends on personal relocation and financial needs, goals, and circumstances. To find the one that aligns best with your intentions and ensure a smooth application process, partner with the experts at Nomad Capitalist.

Secure Cambodian Citizenship Easily With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an expert-led advisory firm that has helped over 1,500 high-net-worth clients relocate to 100+ countries, optimize their tax liability, and protect their assets. 

We help you by creating an Action Plan, a unique full-coverage strategy tailor-made to fit your lifestyle, financial circumstances, and desired goals. It guides you through every step of obtaining Cambodian citizenship, from gathering the necessary documents and completing the application process to setting up offshore banking. Here’s how it works:

1. You fill out a short application form to verify we’re a good fit
2. We conduct a one-on-one onboarding call to gain a better understanding of your current situation and goals
3. We review the information and create a personalized Action Plan
4. We present the plan to you and then execute it over 12 months, all while handling the complete administrative work
5. We provide lifetime support for any changes to the Action Plan

Nomad Capitalist’s founder, Andrew Henderson, obtained a Cambodian passport. You can hear more about his experience and the benefits of becoming a Cambodian citizen in his video discussing the topic.

Let us handle all the legal legwork and documentation while you enjoy all the benefits of Cambodian citizenship by partnering with Nomad Capitalist today!