Cambodian CM2H vs. Thailand Golden Visa Programs 2024
January 10, 2024
This article will discuss 10-year residence visas offered by Thailand and Cambodia – the Cambodian CM2H program and the Thailand Long-Term Resident Visa.
Home to three of the largest economies in the world by nominal GDP, Asia is an investment haven for foreign and local investors.
From the Global Peace Index to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings, you will always find Asian countries in the top ten spots of all the global lists that matter.
Moreover, Asia has consistently rolled out red carpets for foreigners willing to live, work, or invest in the continent.
At Nomad Capitalist, we love Asia and everything it has to offer. Why?
From lucrative tax incentives to one of the best offshore banking options, Asia offers everything a Nomad Capitalist could ever need.
Although not an easy region to get citizenship, Asia makes up for it by putting its best foot forward through its versatile residency programs.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or a digital nomad, Asia has a residence visa for you, and Nomad Capitalist can help you get it. All you have to do is reach out.
Thailand and Cambodia’s 10-Year Residence Visas 2024
Thailand is not new to the world of RCBI and has issued several types of visas over the years.
From its tourist visa to the non-immigrant visa to the most popular Thai Elite Visa, Thailand has no shortage of visas for foreigners willing to visit the country for various reasons.
And now, with its 10-year Thailand Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa, the country has expanded its golden visa portfolio.
On the other hand, Cambodia has recently made its debut in the residence-by-investment world with its only government-official 10-year golden visa program, Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H).
Due to the proximity and the similar validity period, many people have compared the two programs in terms of what they offer for the investment required.
So, let’s see what these neighbors offer in exchange for considerable foreign investment.
Thailand Long-Term Resident Program (Thailand Golden Visa)
Foreigners can live and work in Thailand for ten years under its recent Long-Term Resident (LTR) program.
The program offers several benefits in the tax and non-tax fields to foreigners willing to invest their capital in the country.
The Thai government has introduced the LTR program to drive wealthy and talented foreign residents into the country to improve Thailand’s economy.
The Thai LTR visa targets four categories of foreigners, each with its own requirements.
Foreigner Categories for Thai Long-Term Resident Visa
1. Wealthy Global Citizens
To be considered a wealthy global citizen under the new LTR program, you must:
- Own at least $1 million in assets
- Have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years
- Make a minimum investment of $500,000 directly or in Thai government bonds or real estate.
2. Wealthy Pensioners
To be considered a wealthy retiree/pensioner under the new LTR program, you must:
- Be aged fifty years or above
- Have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 at the time of application
- If your annual income is over $40,000 but under $80,000, you must make a minimum investment of $250,000 directly or in Thai government bonds or real estate.
3. Work-from-Thailand Professionals
The following are the requirements if you want to work from Thailand under the new LTR program:
- You must have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 in the past two years.
- If your annual income is over $40,000 but under $80,000, you must hold a Master’s degree or above OR own intellectual property OR receive Series A Funding.
- You must show an active and valid employment contract with a local (Thai) or offshore business.
- Your current employer must be a public company on the stock exchange or a private company operating for at least three years with a combined revenue of at least $150 million in the last three years.
- You must show at least five years of work experience in relevant fields of your current employment within ten years of the application date.
4. Foreign Experts with Special Skills
Following are the requirements for foreign experts (PhDs, government officials, etc.) looking to get the Thai LTR visa:
- You must have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 in the past two years.
- If your annual income is over $40,000 but under $80,000, you must hold a Master’s degree or above in science and technology OR have particular expertise regarding your Thai job.
- You must show an active and valid employment contract with a local (Thai) or offshore business.
- You must show at least five years of work experience in relevant fields of your current employment unless you have a Ph.D. or above.
- No income threshold and work experience are needed if you work for the Thai government.
- You must be employed by a corporate or higher education institution, research institution, specialized training center, or Thai government agency in any of the targeted industries.
All visa applicants must have a health insurance policy covering at least $50,000 worth of medical expenses in Thailand OR at least $100,000 held in a Thai or offshore bank account for no less than twelve months before the date of application.
The application cost for the LTR program is 50,000 Baht.
As an LTR visa holder, you can bring along four dependents, including your spouse and children under 20.
Privileges Offered to Thailand Golden Visa Holders
The latest Thailand Golden Visa, i.e., the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa, offers many benefits ranging from tax reductions to ease of working and doing business in Thailand.
Multiple Entry Renewable Visa
The LTR visa is a 10-year renewable visa divided into two 5-year terms. Initially, you’ll be permitted to stay in the country for five years, after which your visa can be extended for another five years.
The LTR visa holders may exit and enter the country as they please.
Tax Reductions
Thailand taxes personal income at a progressive rate that goes up to 35%, but highly skilled LTR visa holders can expect to pay personal taxes at a reduced rate of 17%.
Moreover, foreign-sourced income is also tax-exempt.
Ease of Working
Thailand offers a wide berth of work privileges to LTR visa holders.
LTR visa holders must apply for a Thai work permit if they want to work from Thailand but don’t have to wait for the issuance of the work permit to continue.
Moreover, they are also exempt from the four Thais to one foreigner employment requirement ratio.
Now that we know the requirements and privileges of the latest Thai LTR visa, let’s see what Cambodia’s CM2H program is all about.
Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) Program
Cambodia My 2nd Home Program (CM2H) is an initiative launched by the Cambodian Ministry of the Interior (MOI) in collaboration with the Khmer Home Charity Association (KHCA) to attract foreign investment into the country.
The program intends to compete with similar programs in the Southeast Asian region, like the Thai LTR program and Malaysia’s MM2H visa program.
According to the CM2H official site, Cambodia My 2nd Home Program is the only government-approved program that allows foreign individuals to live in Cambodia with a Golden Visa for ten years.
Requirements for the Cambodian Golden Visa Program
The CM2H program offers a renewable 10-year visa with no entry or exit restrictions in Cambodia.
Minimum Investment
According to the CM2H website, you must invest a minimum amount of $100,000 in Cambodia to be eligible for the CM2H program.
Moreover, you must own a government-approved Cambodian real estate project.
These are the only two investment requirements for the CM2H program.
Other Requirements
In addition to the minimum investment, some other notable CM2H conditions are mentioned below:
- The applicant must be a citizen of a country or region recognized by Cambodia.
- The applicant must be an adult (aged 18 or above).
Benefits of the Cambodian Golden Visa Program
The following are some of the most significant privileges offered by the CM2H program:
Only Official Pathway to Cambodian Citizenship
CM2H visa holders can apply for Cambodian citizenship after five years.
Moreover, CM2H is the only government-official pathway to obtaining a Cambodian passport.
Getting a Cambodian passport in only five years is a pretty sweet deal, considering citizenship is usually off the table in the ASEAN countries.
Cambodia also has a direct citizenship by investment program.
Ease of Working
CM2H visa holders can expect free professional assistance for many of their personal and work-related matters in the country.
Whether it’s company incorporation, opening bank accounts, establishing a trust, or obtaining a Cambodian driver’s license, the Khmer Home Charity Association (KHCA) will assist CM2H holders without additional cost.
With the CM2H program, the Cambodian government is doing its best to help foreigners lead a privileged life in the country.
Other notable privileges include one-year free medical insurance in Cambodia and VIP access at Cambodian airports.
Cambodia My 2nd Home Program vs. Thailand LTR Program
The latest Thailand Golden Visa seems far more detailed at first glance than the CM2H program.
On the other hand, the CM2H program seems more flexible than the Thailand LTR program because it doesn’t require specific medical coverage or offshore capital proof.
CM2H offers a five-year pathway to Cambodian citizenship, whereas the Thai LTR visa neither leads to citizenship nor permanent residence.
However, Cambodia is still a newbie in the Residence by Investment (RBI) world and has a lot to learn from its well-known neighbor with a more powerful passport in terms of travel freedom.
In essence, both countries are trying their best to pull foreign investment to their shores and make a name for themselves in the residency and citizenship by investment (RCBI) world.
Thailand’s LTR program is the latest name in the long list of Thai residence programs.
High-net-worth individuals looking for a more high-profile residence visa with exceptional privileges can look into the Thailand Elite Residence Program.
Thai Elite Residence Program
Managed by the Thailand Privilege Card Company, the Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term residence visa (Privilege Entry Visa) allowing foreigners to reside in Thailand for five to twenty years, depending on their chosen route.
The visa holders can enjoy privileges like government concierge services, VIP airport services, etc.
The following are the qualifying routes under the Thailand Elite Residence Program:
- Elite Gold Package
- Elite Platinum Package
- Elite Diamond Package
- Elite Reserve Package
Thailand’s Elite Visa program just underwent a radical overhaul to celebrate its 20th anniversary, which included changes to each package and a massive price increase.
Which Golden Visa to Get?
Cambodia has made its debut in the Golden Visa world with its CM2H program, while Thailand seems to be consistently expanding its residence visa programs.
Whether you want a five-year residence visa or more, Thailand has got you covered.
Moreover, these are not the only options in the region or the world. More and more countries are introducing residence-by-investment programs to attract wealthy foreigners to their shores and improve their economies.
A few decades back, the problem was a lack of options. Today, it’s the opposite.
Many residency and citizenship by investment programs worldwide offer you a range of benefits for your investment.
The trick is to find the program that works best for you, and that’s where we come in.
We have helped over a thousand clients go where they are treated best, and we would love to do the same for you.
Want us to make your offshore dream a reality? Reach out.
Get Tips to Reduce Taxes and Build Freedom Overseas
Sign up for our Weekly Rundown packed with hand-picked insights on global citizenship, offshore tax planning, and new places to diversify.
Malta’s Global Residence Program: The Ultimate Guide
If you’ve ever dreamed of immersing yourself in the heart of the Mediterranean while enjoying the perks of living in a vibrant, English-speaking community, Malta could be your perfect match. Known for its intriguing history, warm climate, beaches, architecture and favourable tax policies, Malta is a promising destination for those seeking residency. In particular, the […]
Read more
The Person with the Most Citizenships in the World
Do you yearn for a borderless existence? It’s what drives us at Nomad Capitalist. As a boutique firm on a mission to redefine borders for high-net-worth individuals, the notion of holding multiple citizenships has captured our imagination for years – it’s our specialty. Anyone who has worked with us understands the allure of increased travel […]
Read more
10 Best Countries to Raise a Family
Moving abroad with your family is an entirely different experience to travelling solo. There are so many extra considerations when your family is involved: factors like safety and education systems often outweigh the appeal of elements like an exotic island or a luxurious lifestyle. But the benefits of moving can be huge. In Nomad Capitalist, […]
Read more