Tourist visa (T class): e-visa and visa on arrival: US passport holders are not visa exempt for Cambodia and need a visa before or on arrival. Apply only on the official portal, evisa.gov.kh; the General Department of Immigration has publicly warned that lookalike sites are not recognized. All air travelers must also complete the separate Cambodia e-Arrival digital card within 7 days before arrival (arrival.gov.kh); it is not a visa. Since October 2026 Cambodian embassies issue visas electronically instead of as passport stickers, and visa on arrival remains available at international airports and major land and river crossings. Overstaying is fined at USD 10 per day (reported, consistently across immigration guides). The tourist visa does not authorize work.
Country page
Living in Cambodia long term
US passport holders enter Cambodia on a 30 day tourist visa (USD 30) or, the better default for anyone who might stay, a 30 day ordinary E class visa (USD 35). Every real long stay runs on extensions of stay of that E class visa: EB for work and business, ER for retirees aged 55 and over, ES for students, and EG for up to 6 months while looking for work, all renewable in 1, 3, 6, or 12 month increments with no published income thresholds and no published official extension fee schedule. There is no years based permanent residence; citizenship takes 7 years counted from a residence card that most residents never receive, or a statutory investment of KHR 1,250,000,000 or a donation of KHR 1,000,000,000 under the nationality law.
Numbers on this page apply to holders of a US passport. Page last verified: 2026-10-15
Rules change. Confirm the current rules with the official source or the consulate for Cambodia before you apply, pay a fee, or book travel around a date in this table.
Every route, with the math
Scroll sideways for the full table. The route name stays in view.
| Route | Income required | Investment required | Total cost | Processing time | Days allowed | Renewal rules | Tax residency trigger | Years to permanent residency | Years to citizenship | Last verified | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa (T class): e-visa and visa on arrival Tourist allowance | Not applicable. There is no income or funds test for a tourist visa. | Not applicable | USD 30, the official fee for both the e-visa and the visa on arrival. The Royal Government cut the tourist e-visa fee from USD 36 to USD 30 effective January 1, 2025 (press release of the Council of Ministers, December 28, 2024). The single 30 day extension has no published official fee; agents charge USD 45 to 55 (reported). | E-visa: 3 business days, per the official e-visa portal. Visa on arrival: issued at the immigration counter on arrival, usually within minutes. | 30 days per entry. The e-visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and is single entry only | Extendable once, in country, for 30 more days through the Department of Immigration or an agent. After 60 days in total the holder must leave Cambodia; a tourist visa cannot be converted into a long stay extension category. | One 30 to 60 day tourist stay does not trigger it. A person is a tax resident if domiciled in Cambodia, if Cambodia is their principal place of abode, or if present in Cambodia for more than 182 days in the current tax year (Law on Taxation; the General Department of Taxation counts more than 182 days in any 12 month period ending in the current tax year). | Not a residence status. Tourist stays do not count toward permanent residence, and Cambodia runs no years based permanent residence track for tourist visa holders. See the permanent residence route on this page. | Not a residence status. Citizenship by naturalization requires 7 years of continuous residence counted from the issuance of a residence card under the Immigration Law, plus Khmer language, script, and history knowledge (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). Tourist stays do not start that clock. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Ordinary visa (E class) on entry Other | Not applicable. Cambodia publishes no income test for the ordinary visa, although immigration officers may refuse entry or an extension where a traveler cannot show the ability to support themselves (General Department of Immigration statements). | Not applicable | USD 35, the official fee for both the e-visa and the visa on arrival. The Royal Government cut the ordinary e-visa fee from USD 42 to USD 35 effective January 1, 2025 (press release of the Council of Ministers, December 28, 2024). | E-visa: 3 business days, per the official e-visa portal. Visa on arrival: issued at the immigration counter on arrival. | 30 days, single entry. The visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue | The entry visa itself is not renewed. Before it expires the holder applies for an extension of stay in one of the EB, EG, ER, or ES categories; if no extension is granted, the holder must leave when the 30 days end. | A single 30 day entry does not trigger it. A person is a tax resident if domiciled in Cambodia, if Cambodia is their principal place of abode, or if present in Cambodia for more than 182 days in the current tax year (Law on Taxation; the General Department of Taxation counts more than 182 days in any 12 month period ending in the current tax year). | Not a residence status by itself. The E class grants no path to permanent residence; it is the entry step for the extension categories, none of which accumulate into permanent residence either. See the permanent residence route on this page. | Not a residence status. Citizenship by naturalization requires 7 years of continuous residence counted from the issuance of a residence card under the Immigration Law, plus Khmer language, script, and history knowledge (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| EG extension of stay: seeking employment or business opportunities Work | Not applicable. Cambodia publishes no income threshold for the EG extension; the applicant shows they are looking for work or business opportunities. | Not applicable | No official fee schedule for extensions is published by the General Department of Immigration. Agent prices (reported, two or more independent guides agree): about USD 45 to 50 for 1 month, USD 75 to 80 for 3 months, USD 155 to 160 for 6 months. | About 3 to 5 business days at the Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh or through a licensed agent (reported). Agents outside the capital take longer because the passport travels to Phnom Penh. | 1, 3, or 6 months per grant, single entry. Six months is the maximum total time on this category | One time only. The EG cannot be renewed in country beyond 6 months in total. At the end the holder must switch to another category, most often EB with a job, or leave Cambodia and re-enter on a new ordinary visa. | A single EG grant does not usually trigger it, but a 6 month EG plus other stays can. A person is a tax resident if domiciled in Cambodia, if Cambodia is their principal place of abode, or if present in Cambodia for more than 182 days in the current tax year (Law on Taxation; the General Department of Taxation counts more than 182 days in any 12 month period ending in the current tax year). | No path. EG time does not lead to permanent residence, and Cambodia has no years based permanent residence track for extension holders. See the permanent residence route on this page. | Time on an EG extension does not count. Citizenship by naturalization requires 7 years of continuous residence counted from the issuance of a residence card under the Immigration Law, plus Khmer language, script, and history knowledge (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). Most extension holders never receive a residence card. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| EB extension of stay: business and employment Work | Not applicable. Cambodia publishes no salary or income threshold for the EB extension; the test is a real job, business, or freelance activity in Cambodia, documented with an employment letter, contract, or business paperwork. | Not applicable | No official fee schedule for extensions is published by the General Department of Immigration. Agent prices (reported, two or more independent guides agree): about USD 45 to 50 for 1 month, USD 75 to 80 for 3 months, USD 155 to 160 for 6 months, USD 285 to 290 for 12 months. The work permit and employment card are a separate employer side cost set by the Ministry of Labour. | About 3 to 5 business days at the Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh or through a licensed agent (reported). Agents outside the capital take longer because the passport travels to Phnom Penh. | 1, 3, 6, or 12 months per grant. The 1 and 3 month grants are single entry; the 6 and 12 month grants are multiple entry | Renewable indefinitely, in 1, 3, 6, or 12 month increments, as long as the job or business continues. Longer renewals need supporting documents, and a work permit for 6 and 12 month renewals. | A 12 month EB stay crosses it. A person is a tax resident if domiciled in Cambodia, if Cambodia is their principal place of abode, or if present in Cambodia for more than 182 days in the current tax year (Law on Taxation; the General Department of Taxation counts more than 182 days in any 12 month period ending in the current tax year). Resident employees are taxed on salary under the Tax on Salary rules. | No path. EB extensions can be renewed for decades without maturing into permanent residence. Cambodia has no years based permanent residence track for extension holders. See the permanent residence route on this page. | Time on EB extensions does not by itself count. Citizenship by naturalization requires 7 years of continuous residence counted from the issuance of a residence card under the Immigration Law, plus Khmer language, script, and history knowledge (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). Most EB holders never receive a residence card. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| ER extension of stay: retirement Retirement | No published income threshold. The applicant must be 55 or older and show proof of retirement from their home country, such as a pension or social security statement, or savings sufficient to support themselves. Cambodia's immigration authorities publish no minimum amount; the age and proof of retirement test is applied in practice (confirmed by multiple immigration practice guides). Applicants under 55 need stronger documentation and are approved case by case. | Not applicable | No official fee schedule for extensions is published by the General Department of Immigration. Agent prices (reported, two or more independent guides agree): about USD 45 to 50 for 1 month, USD 75 to 80 for 3 months, USD 155 to 160 for 6 months, USD 285 to 290 for 12 months. | About 3 to 5 business days at the Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh or through a licensed agent (reported). Agents outside the capital take longer because the passport travels to Phnom Penh. | 1, 3, 6, or 12 months per grant. The 1 and 3 month grants are single entry; the 6 and 12 month grants are multiple entry | Renewable indefinitely, in 1, 3, 6, or 12 month increments, for as long as the holder remains retired and can support themselves. There is no cap on the number of renewals. | A 12 month ER stay crosses it. A person is a tax resident if domiciled in Cambodia, if Cambodia is their principal place of abode, or if present in Cambodia for more than 182 days in the current tax year (Law on Taxation). In law, resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income; enforcement against foreign pension income is limited in practice, and the United States has no tax treaty with Cambodia. | No path. ER extensions renew indefinitely but never mature into permanent residence. Cambodia has no years based permanent residence track for extension holders. See the permanent residence route on this page. | Time on ER extensions does not by itself count. Citizenship by naturalization requires 7 years of continuous residence counted from the issuance of a residence card under the Immigration Law, plus Khmer language, script, and history knowledge (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). Most ER holders never receive a residence card. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| ES extension of stay: students Study | No published income threshold. The applicant must show evidence of funds to support themselves during the study period; Cambodia publishes no minimum amount. | Not applicable | No official fee schedule for extensions is published by the General Department of Immigration. Agent prices (reported, two or more independent guides agree): about USD 45 to 50 for 1 month, USD 75 to 80 for 3 months, USD 155 to 160 for 6 months, USD 285 to 290 for 12 months. Tuition is set by the institution and is separate. | About 3 to 5 business days at the Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh or through a licensed agent (reported). Agents outside the capital take longer because the passport travels to Phnom Penh. | 1, 3, 6, or 12 months per grant. The 1 and 3 month grants are single entry; the 6 and 12 month grants are multiple entry | Renewable in 1, 3, 6, or 12 month increments for as long as the enrollment continues and the institution keeps supporting the application. | A 12 month ES stay crosses it. A person is a tax resident if domiciled in Cambodia, if Cambodia is their principal place of abode, or if present in Cambodia for more than 182 days in the current tax year (Law on Taxation; the General Department of Taxation counts more than 182 days in any 12 month period ending in the current tax year). | No path. ES extensions do not lead to permanent residence, and Cambodia has no years based permanent residence track for extension holders. See the permanent residence route on this page. | Time on ES extensions does not by itself count. Citizenship by naturalization requires 7 years of continuous residence counted from the issuance of a residence card under the Immigration Law, plus Khmer language, script, and history knowledge (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). Study time does not shorten this. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Permanent residence: the permanent resident card Other | No published income test. Recognition is discretionary and turns on the applicant's status, not on a stated amount. | No fixed amount is published in the resident card rules. The investor category covers foreign investors, their spouses, and their dependants who are recognized by the Council for the Development of Cambodia, which in practice means investors behind an approved investment project. | No official fee for a permanent resident card is published in the resident card rules, and no reliable reported figure exists. This page does not guess one. | No processing time is published. Recognition by the Minister of Interior or by the Council for the Development of Cambodia is discretionary and case by case. | Indefinite residence for the recognized categories. There is no general grant based on years lived in Cambodia | Permanent residence is a status, not a renewable visa. It is separate from the extension system and is not maintained by renewing an EOS. | A permanent resident card holder is domiciled in Cambodia and is a tax resident under the Law on Taxation, taxed as a resident on worldwide income in law. | This route is the permanent residence grant itself. It is reached by recognition, not by accumulating years on other statuses. | Holding the residence card starts the citizenship clock: 7 years of continuous residence counted from the date the residence card was received, plus good conduct certification, a clean criminal record, Khmer language and script ability, and knowledge of Khmer history (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Citizenship by naturalization Other | Not applicable. The Law on Nationality sets no income test; the conditions are conduct, residence, language, and fitness. | Not applicable | The Law on Nationality publishes no application fee schedule. Applicants pay document, translation, and legalization costs, which vary; no official total exists and this page does not invent one. | No decision deadline is set in the Law on Nationality. Naturalization is granted by royal decree after ministry review; no official or reliably reported standard processing time exists. | Citizenship is permanent once granted by royal decree | Not applicable. Citizenship does not expire and needs no renewal. | Citizenship is separate from tax residence. A citizen living in Cambodia is a tax resident if domiciled in Cambodia, if Cambodia is their principal place of abode, or if present for more than 182 days in the current tax year (Law on Taxation). | Naturalization runs from the residence card, not from a separate permanent residence application. See the permanent residence route on this page. | 7 years of continuous residence in Cambodia counted from the date the residence card was received, plus a commune certificate of good conduct, a clean criminal record, residence in Cambodia at the time of application, ability to speak Khmer and read Khmer script, knowledge of Khmer history, and sound mental and physical condition (Article 8 of the Law on Nationality). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Citizenship by investment or donation Citizenship by investment | Not applicable. The test is the investment or the donation, not income. | One of two statutory amounts in the Law on Nationality: an implemented investment of KHR 1,250,000,000 or more (about USD 305,000 to 312,500) in a real project authorized by the Council for the Development of Cambodia, or authorized by the Royal Government where there is no CDC letter (Articles 10 and 11); or a cash donation of KHR 1,000,000,000 or more (about USD 245,000 to 250,000) to the national budget (Article 12). | The statutory contribution is KHR 1,250,000,000 invested or KHR 1,000,000,000 donated. On top of that, government charges and professional fees are substantial and unpublished; two independent citizenship guides put the all in cost at roughly USD 320,000 to 390,000 (reported). No official total is published. | About 3 to 6 months is the commonly reported range (reported by two citizenship guides); the law itself sets no deadline and files can run longer. | Citizenship is permanent once granted by royal decree; there is no residence period to serve first on this route | Not applicable. Citizenship does not expire and needs no renewal. | Citizenship alone does not set tax residence. The Law on Taxation tests apply: domiciled in Cambodia, principal place of abode in Cambodia, or present in Cambodia for more than 182 days in the current tax year. | Not applicable. This route leads directly to citizenship and skips residence status entirely. | This route is the citizenship grant itself, with the 7 year residence condition waived. The remaining Article 8 conditions still apply. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
Route notes
Ordinary visa (E class) on entry: The E class is the entry ticket for every long stay in Cambodia. It looks like a 30 day visa but its purpose is to be converted in country into an extension of stay (EOS) in the EB, EG, ER, or ES category. Enter on the E class, not the tourist class, if there is any chance of staying longer than 60 days, because a tourist visa cannot be converted. The Cambodia e-Arrival card is also required for air arrivals. Foreigners living in Cambodia are registered by their landlord in the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System (FPCS), and agents routinely ask for the FPCS record when filing an extension.
EG extension of stay: seeking employment or business opportunities: EG is the landing category for newcomers who enter on an E class visa without a job, a business, a school, or retirement status yet. It does not authorize work; it only makes the stay legal while the holder looks. It is single entry, so leaving Cambodia cancels it. When the holder finds a job they move to the EB category and the employer arranges a work permit through the Ministry of Labour FWCMS system. Volunteers and people scouting a business idea also commonly start here.
EB extension of stay: business and employment: EB is the workhorse long stay category: employees, business owners, freelancers, and the spouses and children of EB holders all use it. The extension alone does not authorize work. Working legally also requires a work permit and foreign employment card from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, arranged by the employer through the FWCMS online system and renewed each calendar year. Since 2024 immigration officers check for a valid work permit before approving 6 and 12 month EB renewals (reported by two employment law guides). Self-employed holders document their own registered business or patent tax certificate.
ER extension of stay: retirement: ER is Cambodia's retirement route and it is unusually simple by regional standards: no fixed deposit, no published income floor, and no annual address reporting beyond the landlord FPCS registration. The trade off is that it is only ever an extension, renewed a year at a time, and it confers no permanent status. An ER holder may not take a job in Cambodia; the category is not issued to someone who is employed. Retirees typically enter on the E class visa and convert to ER before the first 30 days expire.
ES extension of stay: students: ES covers enrollment at a Cambodian school, university, language institute, or other registered educational institution, which supplies the support letter. The extension is tied to the enrollment rather than to a fixed academic calendar. Study status is not an employment status; paid work requires the EB category and a work permit instead.
Permanent residence: the permanent resident card: Cambodia's Immigration Law framework provides two card types under Declaration (Prakas) No. 555 of November 10, 1995: temporary resident cards for staff, specialists, and workers, and permanent resident cards for two narrow groups, immigrant aliens recognized by the Minister of Interior, and foreign investors with their spouses and dependants recognized by the Council for the Development of Cambodia. There is no application window, points system, published fee, or published decision time for the permanent card, and grants are rare. Marriage to a Cambodian citizen does not by itself produce a permanent resident card; spouses of Cambodians normally live in Cambodia on EB extensions renewed year by year. Almost every long term foreign resident in Cambodia, including people with decades in the country, legally lives on 12 month extensions, not on permanent residence.
Citizenship by naturalization: Naturalization under Articles 7 and 8 of the Law on Nationality (1996) is expressly a favor of the Kingdom, not a right, and applications can be refused at discretion. The 7 years run from the residence card issued under the Immigration Law, which is why the route is out of reach for most long stay residents, who live on extensions and never receive a residence card. The period drops to 3 years for a foreigner born in Cambodia (Article 9). A spouse applying with minor children can file as a family (Article 14), but the law sets no shorter residence period for spouses of Cambodian citizens. Cambodia permits dual citizenship for ordinary citizens, so a US citizen is not required by Cambodian law to renounce; the United States side is a separate question.
Citizenship by investment or donation: This is not a packaged golden visa program with an open application window. It is a set of exemptions inside the naturalization law: the investment or donation removes the 7 year residence condition, but the applicant must still meet the other Article 8 conditions, including good conduct, a clean record, Khmer language and script, and knowledge of Khmer history, and approval remains discretionary and is granted by royal decree. Agent marketing usually quotes the statutory amounts and understates the government and professional fees on top. Amendments debated and passed in 2025 added court powers to revoke naturalized citizenship in cases such as treason or collusion with foreign powers, which is a real risk factor for citizenship acquired this way (reported).