Cambodia---Permanent Residency

It was suggested, kindly, somewhere on this site, that permanent residency may be gained after 5 years temporary residency.  Anyone have any experience with this?  Interested in procedures, any limitations, etc., and if this can lead to citizenship.  Thank you.

Never heard of that yet. I have heard of wealthy people buying Cambodian citizenship, got to pay off some people, and it costs about $25k, but this is just a rumor. You could check with a travel agency here, they do most of the visa updates, and are knowledgeable.

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madmax888 wrote:

Never heard of that yet. I have heard of wealthy people buying Cambodian citizenship, got to pay off some people, and it costs about $25k, but this is just a rumor. You could check with a travel agency here, they do most of the visa updates, and are knowledgeable.


I heard about that and know of a french who holds both  cambodia passport and french passport

Law on Nationality [],  9 October 1996, available at: www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b5210.html [accessed 18 November 2013]



KHMER NATIONALITY/CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE
Article 5:
A foreign man or woman who got married with a Khmer wife or husband, may demand for Khmer nationality/citizenship only if upon such man or women have been living together for a period of three (3) years, after registration of a marriage certificate.

A formality and procedure for the demand of Khmer nationality/citizenship, shall be determined by Sub-decree.

The grant of Khmer nationality/citizenship following the case of demand for it, shall be decided by Royal-decree.
Article 6:
Khmer citizens shall not lose their Khmer nationality/ citizenship because of they got married with foreigners.
CHAPTER IV
NATURALIZATION Article 7:
Foreigners may apply for Khmer nationality/citizenship through naturalization.

Naturalization is not a right of the applicant, but only a favour of the Kingdom of Cambodia. In any case, such application may also be rejected by a discretionary power.
Article 8:
A foreigner who may apply for naturalization shall fulfil the following conditions:

1.shall have a paper certifying that he/she has good behaviour and moral conduct issued by the chief of the commune (Khum) or quarter (Sangkat) of his/her own residence.

2.shall have a letter of certification of the past criminal record which stated that he/she had never been convicted for any criminal offence before.

3.shall have a paper certifying that such person has his/her residence in the Kingdom of Cambodia and who has been living continuously for seven (7) years from the date of reception of a residence card which was issued under framework of the Law on Immigration.

4.shall have residence in the Kingdom of Cambodia at the time when he/she is applying for naturalization.

5.shall be able to speak Khmer, know Khmer scripts and has some knowledges of Khmer history, and prove clear evidence that he/she can live in harmony in Khmer society as well as can get used to good Khmer custom and tradition.

6.shall have his/her mentality and physical aptitude which will cause neither danger nor burden to the nation.
Article 9:
For any foreigner who is born in the Kingdom of Cambodia, the 7 years period of continuously living as stated in the sub-para 3 of the article 8 of this law, shall instead be decreased to 3 years.
Article 10:
For any foreigner who had received a letter of authorization for investment from the Cambodian Development Council (CDC.) and who had implemented concretely the actual project cost by spending an initial capital of from 1,250,000,000 Riels and up, the period of living as stated in the sub-para. 3 of the article 8 of this law, shall be exempted.
Article 11:
For any foreigner who has no letter of authorization for investment from the Cambodian Development Council (CDC.), but who had received authorization for investment legitimately from the Royal Government and who had spent initial capital of from 1,250,000,000 Riels and up, the period of living as stated in the sub-para 3 of the article 8 of this law, shall be exempted.
Article 12:
Any foreigner who has made a donation in cash, to the national budget of from 1,000,000,000 Riels or more, for the interest of restoration and rebuilding of economy of the Kingdom of Cambodia, may have right to file an application for Khmer nationality, in case when upon he/she has fulfilled the conditions as stated in the sub-paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the article 8 of this law.
Article 13:
A foreigner who has shown evidence that he/she had offered any special merit or achievement for the interest of the Kingdom of Cambodia, may file an application for Khmer nationality and with no need to fulfil the conditions as stated in the sub-para.3 of the article 8 of this law.
Article 14:
A foreigner who has a spouse or child/children of under 18 years of age, who also intend(s) to apply for Khmer nationality/ citizenship, may file an application for naturalization in term as a family as a whole.

A family consists of a husband, wife and child/children of under 18 years old.
Article 15:
A foreigner may apply to change to a Khmer name. In such case, he/she shall specify such name in writing in his/her application for naturalization.
Article 16:
Naturalization which is granted to any person, shall be decided by a Royal-Decree.

The formality and procedure for applying for naturalization, shall be determined by a Sub-decree.
Article 17:
Those who got authorization to acquire Khmer nationality, shall take an oath before the Supreme Court.

The substance of this above oath will be provided for in a Sub-decree.

Are you a Lawyer? You seem to know Cambodian Law on permanent residency.Can we ask you other questions on the Laws of Cambodia?

frank peter david wrote:

Are you a Lawyer? You seem to know Cambodian Law on permanent residency.Can we ask you other questions on the Laws of Cambodia?


No, I am not a lawyer. All Cambodian Law are freely available on the internet. For accurate I advice I suggest you speak with a reputable Law Firm.

in Cambodia no such thing as permanent residency but you can live here long term if you get a normal visa yes that's what its called $25 per month $290 per year you can  updated at any travel shop in phnom penh even if you marry a Cambodian girl you still will not be able to get a passport unless you pay like most countries a fee in Cambodia its $100.000 usa $ but then you have to pay each person you see a bribe that will take your passport to round $250.000 but just live here long term like I do been here 3 years my friend 8 years on a normal visa not a tourist visa for $290 per year

@Cocaine...you are incorrect. If you have a bank account, work or own a business in Cambodia, own property or have a lease in your name...then you are considered a resident and are liable to pay taxes on any income, including overseas income...although it is not enforced.

Also,  it is possible to get citizenship and passport without paying extortionate bribes.

You keep telling us all that you have lived in Cambodia for 3 years and your friend for 8, but you appear to be either clueless or misinformed. Please stop posting misinformation.

And NO...it is not officially called a Normal Visa!

Hi, I am interested to get a citizenship in Cambodia. Anyone who has information on who I can contact in PP? Hope to know only reliable contacts who had successfully done this citizenship application before. Once I have their contacts, I would like to come to Cambodia to meet up with him/her.

Thanks