How To Get a Cambodian Passport: Requirements, Steps, and Key Benefits

Cambodia is gaining relevance as a second citizenship destination for high-net-worth expats due to its low cost of living, favorable taxes, and access to the rest of South East Asia. However, the process of obtaining a Cambodian passport is prestigious, complex, and not easily accessible without proper guidance.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know to acquire a Cambodian passport, including:

• Cambodia’s citizenship requirements
• Ways to apply for a passport
• The benefits of holding a Cambodian passport

What Are the Cambodian Passport Requirements?

There are several routes you can take to obtain a Cambodian passport, depending on your financial and relocation goals:

1. Naturalization
2. Marriage
3. Investment
4. Golden Visa

It’s crucial to note that these methods only make you eligible to apply for citizenship, and by extension, a passport. Once your application is approved by the Minister of Interior, the Prime Minister asks the King of Cambodia to sign the Royal Decree granting you citizenship.

Naturalization

Foreign nationals can apply for Cambodian citizenship through naturalization, but doing so requires meeting several strict criteria. You must: 

• Have spent at least seven years living in Cambodia through a residency permit
• Pass the language and knowledge test
• Have a clean criminal record in Cambodia
• Reside in Cambodia when submitting the application

Keep in mind that even if you meet these criteria, obtaining citizenship (and a passport) isn’t guaranteed. Under Cambodian law, granting citizenship through naturalization lies at the discretion of the Royal Government.

Marriage

Foreign citizens married to Cambodian nationals can qualify for citizenship through marriage. To pursue this route, the couple must be married and have lived together for at least three years after registering their marriage certificate with the Royal Government.

Applicants using this pathway to acquire a Cambodian passport will still have to go through the naturalization process, which involves proving their moral conduct through a letter issued by the competent authority and demonstrating understanding of the Khmer language and customs.

Citizenship by Investment Program

Cambodia’s citizenship by investment initiative is one of the most efficient methods of obtaining a Cambodian passport. There are two primary ways to qualify for Cambodian citizenship via this route:

1. Donation: Contribute at least 1 billion Riel (USD 245,000–USD 250,000) to the Cambodian Royal Government
2. Investing: Invest at least 1.35 billion Riel (USD 305,000–USD 312,000) into a project that has an approval letter from the Cambodian Development Council, or a project that’s been authorized for investment by the Cambodian Royal Government 

Note that investing in a project involves more complexities. In practice, the current minimum investment is USD 1,000,000, and you are subject to multiple requirements and restrictions, such as having to execute the investment personally and being restricted to specific sectors. For this reason, the investment path is not recommended to retail investors not looking for significant engagement in the process. These individuals should opt for the donation route instead.

Golden Visa

In 2022, Cambodia launched an official Golden Visa program under the name of Cambodia My Second Home (CM2H). This initiative allows high-net-worth expats to obtain a 10-year Golden Visa and eligibility to apply for a passport after five years.

The main component of the Golden Visa program is the minimum investment requirement. To be eligible, you must invest at least USD 85,000 in a government-approved real estate project. However, the qualifying investment must be made in specific, government-designated properties.

The CM2H program also allows applicants to sponsor their families. In this case, when you submit your application, you must also include copies of documents confirming your relationship with dependants, such as birth and marriage certificates. Note that, when sponsoring family members, the real estate investment will have to be higher.

How To Acquire a Cambodian Passport

To obtain a Cambodian passport, you first must acquire citizenship. The process starts by choosing your application path and completing the related tasks. After that, you should complete the following steps:

1. Gather the necessary documents
2. Acquire citizenship
3. Apply for the passport

Gather the Necessary Documents

As part of your citizenship application, you’ll need to submit various documents to Cambodia’s Immigration Department, including:

• A copy of your current passport
• A criminal background check from your home country
• Proof of residency in Cambodia
• Medical examination certificate
• Language certificate

You’ll also need to submit additional documentation depending on your residency route and the decision to include family and other dependents in your application. Some of the required documents, based on the chosen route, are as follows:

Citizenship Route	Sample Additional Documents
Marriage	Marriage certificate
Naturalization	A letter certifying good moral conduct by the chief of the Cambodian commune or quarter where they reside A document attesting to a clear criminal record
Investment	Letters verifying your investment or donation
Golden Visa	Bank account statements proving overseas income Documents showing interests in companies and other assets

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

Acquire Citizenship

After submitting your documentation, the Department of Immigration will assess its authenticity and conduct additional background checks. The entire process takes 6–8 months, depending on the number of documents and the complexity of your application.

During this period, you must undertake additional in-person interviews, be tested on your knowledge of the Khmer language and culture (for certain routes), and undergo a final review by the citizenship committee. 

Upon approval by the Minister of Interior, your application is brought before the King of Cambodia, who grants you citizenship through a Royal Decree. 

Apply for the Passport

Once you’ve become a Cambodian citizen and obtained your ID and Family Book, you can apply for a Cambodian passport. To do this, you’ll need:

• A filled-out passport application form
• Proof of legal residency in Cambodia
• Two passport-sized photos with a white background
• A marriage certificate (if you’re applying for your spouse as well)

It takes around 30 days to obtain a passport, and it’s valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.

Does Cambodia Allow Dual Citizenship?

Cambodia allows dual citizenship, so you won’t have to give up your original passport to obtain a Cambodian one. However, you should make sure that your home country’s laws allow dual citizenship as well.

For example, countries like the U.S., UK, and Portugal allow their citizens to hold multiple passports, while countries like Japan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia don’t.

The Benefits of a Cambodian Passport

Holding a Cambodian passport makes you eligible for several benefits that nationals enjoy, more specifically:

1. Cambodian economic growth
2. Free travel in the ASEAN region
3. Expanded land ownership rights

Cambodian Economic Growth

As a Cambodian citizen, you will have access to lucrative business opportunities in the country.

Cambodia is projected to have a stable economic growth of 5 % in 2026, according to the Asian Development Bank. The country is becoming one of the world’s fastest growing frontier markets, with sectors like real estate, manufacturing, tourism, and construction experiencing steady development. 

The government is popular for its pro-business stance, implementing measures to attract foreign investors that include tax incentives, low shipping costs, and complete company ownership.

Cambodia is also expected to thrive thanks to the prevalence of youthful population modernizing the economy, strategic location in the heart of Southeast Asia, and favorable market access through the ASEAN membership.

Free Travel in the ASEAN Region

Cambodia is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional grouping of 11 countries in Southeast Asia that includes Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia.

Being a Cambodian passport holder enables broad visa-free travel in the region, although the length of stay and entry conditions depend on the destination country:

Destination Country	Visa Free Travel
Brunei Darussalam	14 days
Thailand	7 days
Lao PDR	30 days
Indonesia	30 days
Malaysia	30 days
Myanmar	14 days
Philippines	30 days
Singapore	30 days
Vietnam	30 days

This access extends into the international market as well. According to ASEAN’s trade agreements, citizens of member states enjoy certain protections and non-discriminatory treatment when operating businesses in other member states.

Expanded Land Ownership Rights

One of the most notable benefits of being a Cambodian passport holder is the expanded right to own land. Under Cambodian law, foreign nationals are generally restricted to purchasing apartments located above the ground floor in specified buildings.

However, Cambodian residents could still buy or lease land with more flexibility using one of three workaround methods:

1. Long-term leasing: Expats and organizations can rent property in Cambodia through a Perpetual Lease, which is a 15–50 year renewable rental contract that also grants them additional rights during the lease period
2. Nominees: This method allows foreign investors to buy land by nominating a Cambodian citizen as the property owner
3. Strata Titles: Individuals can purchase and fully own units within condominiums through a Strata Title—a type of ownership certificate which grants them full control over the property, including the right to lease, modify, or sell it

Becoming a citizen removes these restrictions, meaning you can freely purchase, sell, and lease land in your name. 

Important Considerations When Obtaining the Cambodian Passport

While holding a Cambodian passport provides several practical advantages, it also comes with specific considerations you should account for. 

The most notable potential limitations of a Cambodian passport include:

• Limited visa-free mobility: Despite offering broad mobility in the ASEAN region, Cambodian passports provide limited access to countries in other parts of the world. Global passport strength rankings generally place it in the lower tier, since it offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to a relatively small number of countries worldwide
• The discretionary nature of the citizenship: One of the potential challenges of seeking Cambodian citizenship (and passport) is that your approval is at the discretion of the King of Cambodia, even if all the requirements are met
• The process complexity: Obtaining the Cambodian passport is a complex process, especially via the citizenship-by-investment route. This path involves multiple trips to the country and extensive documentation, which can be difficult to manage without professional help

To avoid any surprises during the process, partner with the professionals at Nomad Capitalist. Our advisors will provide expert assistance and ensure that obtaining the Cambodian passport aligns with your needs.

Pursue a Cambodian Passport Efficiently With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that has helped over 1,500 high-net-worth individuals from more than 150 countries achieve their relocation goals and seamlessly acquire a second citizenship.

We know that every individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why we create highly personalized Action Plans designed to help you meet your objectives. Our services include assistance with:

• Acquiring a second passport or citizenship 
• Diversifying and protecting your assets
• Optimizing your global tax liability
• Setting up offshore banking

To get started, you first need to complete a quick online application form that will determine whether we are a good fit. Once approved, we will:

1. Schedule an onboarding call to gain insights into your relocation and financial needs
2. Develop and present to you a tailor-made Action Plan based on your circumstances and objectives
3. Implement the Plan over the next 12 months while handling the entire administrative work
4. Provide you with lifetime support regarding any concerns, questions, and changes to your Action Plan

Our founder, Andrew Henderson, recently obtained his Cambodian passport. You can learn more about the process in his video discussing the experience.

Enjoy the benefits of Cambodian citizenship without having to worry about the administrative side by partnering with Nomad Capitalist today!