Cambodia
Cambodian Citizenship by Investment / Donation (Acquisition of Khmer Nationality by Naturalisation)
Cambodia grants full citizenship to foreigners who either make a qualifying investment or donate to the national budget, with the standard seven-year naturalisation residency requirement waived for investors. The pathway sits on the 1996 Law on Nationality (Royal Kram NS/RKM/1096/30), which originally set the investment floor at KHR 1.25 billion (Arts. 10/11, via the Council for the Development of Cambodia) and the donation floor at KHR 1 billion (Art. 12, approximately USD 245,000). Sub-Decree No. 225 of 2025 raised these to KHR 4 billion (approximately USD 1 million) in personal capital for an approved investment project, or a KHR 12 billion (approximately USD 3 million) cash donation to the national budget for socio-economic development or the humanitarian sector. Applications are filed in person at the Ministry of Interior's General Department of Identification, donations are routed through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, citizenship is conferred by Royal Decree, and approved applicants swear an oath before the Supreme Court. The trade-off for private clients is a regional travel document (no Schengen, UK, US or Canada visa-free access) and a higher post-2025 price, alongside 2025 amendments — passed together with a constitutional change — that introduced citizenship revocation for treason or collusion with foreign powers without a clear judicial appeal, which materially elevates the political and rule-of-law risk of this passport.
Figures drawn from primary law and official sources — programmes change, so we confirm the exact current terms with admitted local counsel before you applyHow you qualify.
Donation
Cash donation to the national budget for socio-economic development or the humanitarian sector. Current threshold under Sub-Decree No. 225 (in force 1 December 2025): at least KHR 12 billion (approximately USD 3 million at roughly KHR 4,000/USD). Non-refundable; the donation must have a lawful source and be paid through the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This replaced the original Art. 12 floor of KHR 1,000,000,000 (approximately USD 245,000). The donation route requires only Art. 8 sub-paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6. The USD equivalent is indicative.
Business
Personal capital invested to implement an actual approved investment project in a priority sector, with a valid investment permit (CDC-authorised, Art. 10; or Royal-Government-authorised, Art. 11). Current threshold under Sub-Decree No. 225 (in force 1 December 2025): at least KHR 4 billion (approximately USD 1 million) of personal capital actually spent. Funds must have a lawful source and be tax-compliant. The Art. 8(3) seven-year residency requirement is waived for qualifying investors. This replaced the original Arts. 10/11 floor of KHR 1,250,000,000 (approximately USD 305,000). This is an active-project investment, not a passive real-estate purchase — there is no real-estate-specific route.
Global mobility.
— no visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
— no visa-free access to the United Kingdom.
— no visa-free access to the United States (no ESTA eligibility).
— no visa-free access to Canada.
Approximately 47 destinations are accessible visa-free or visa-on-arrival as of 2026. The strength of the passport is regional — ASEAN free movement plus selected Asian, African and Middle Eastern destinations. None of the major Western blocs (Schengen, UK, USA, Canada, Australia) are accessible visa-free. This is a Plan-B and regional-presence passport, not a global-mobility document.
Still want a European base? Pair it.
A Cambodia passport answers what most families come for first: stronger mobility and a considered fallback, secured for life and hereditary. Many families want a European base alongside it — somewhere to hold assets, spend time and give their children options. Those are two different jobs, and we build them as one plan rather than asking you to choose.
We pair the citizenship with an EU residence in a single structure — citizenship, passport and residence, built as one: the passport for mobility and standing, the residence for a euro-denominated base and, held over time, a lawful route to a European future.
Choose your structure
Structure selected: Cambodia citizenship only. Add a European base at any time — pick one above to see it quoted as a single structure.
Engage us on Cambodia
Leave your details and we come back to you personally — the confirmed current terms, the full costing for your family, and an introduction to vetted, admitted counsel for this programme.
Kestrel Private is a discreet private-client advisory led personally by Andrew J. Taylor, formerly Vice Chairman of Henley & Partners. He has served private clients from more than 30 countries, and at Kestrel you have one senior relationship from initial strategy through implementation.
What's involved in Cambodia citizenship.
- Family inclusion
- Sub-Decree No. 225 treats the family as a unit: parents may apply together with their minor children as a family unit, and children not included in the original application may be added later on proof of parentage; a foreign spouse may also be included. Sibling and dependent-parent inclusion is not provided for under the Cambodian programme. A separate marriage route exists under the 1996 Law (Art. 6: a foreign spouse of a Khmer national may apply after three years of marriage), and children of naturalised parents can acquire Khmer nationality by descent or declaration (Arts. 4 & 21).
- Due diligence
- General naturalisation conditions in Art. 8 apply (modified for the financial routes): a certificate of good behaviour/moral conduct from the commune/quarter chief; a certificate of clean past criminal record (never convicted of a criminal offence); current residence in Cambodia at the time of application; and — for naturalisation generally — Khmer language, script and history knowledge plus mental and physical fitness posing no danger to the nation. For the donation route (Art. 12) only sub-paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6 of Art. 8 must be met. Sub-Decree No. 225 requires applications to be filed in person at the General Department of Identification, mandates a lawful and tax-compliant source of funds, and sets review windows (approximately 45 working days initial review; 30 working days to remedy deficiencies; 15 working days re-evaluation; 30 working days appeal rights after rejection). Approved applicants swear an oath before the Supreme Court before the Royal Decree grant.
- Timeline
- There is no single statutory end-to-end timeline. Sub-Decree No. 225 sets administrative review windows of 45 working days (initial review), 30 working days (correct deficiencies) and 15 working days (re-evaluation), followed by the Royal Decree grant and the Supreme Court oath. Budget 6-12 months end to end, including investment execution or donation settlement and security review.
- Physical presence
- There is no minimum-stay or ongoing residence requirement once citizenship is granted, and the standard Art. 8(3) seven-year residency requirement is statutorily waived for qualifying investors (Arts. 10/11) and substantially relaxed for the donation route (Art. 12). Art. 8(4) requires current residence in Cambodia at the time of application, and Sub-Decree No. 225 requires in-person submission at the General Department of Identification and an oath before the Supreme Court — so at least one trip to Cambodia, and likely more, is needed. There is no annual presence requirement thereafter.
- Tax
- Cambodia taxes individuals on a residence basis (a person present 182 or more days in a tax year, or with a principal place of abode in Cambodia, is a tax resident taxed on worldwide employment income; non-residents are taxed on Cambodian-source income). Acquiring Khmer nationality does not by itself create Cambodian tax residency — that is driven by physical presence or abode. There is no net-wealth or general inheritance tax. Dual nationality is permitted under the Law on Nationality (Cambodia does not require renunciation of the prior nationality), though post-2025 dual citizens may face registration obligations and are barred from the four top state offices. Acquiring citizenship has no automatic effect on the client's home-country tax position; review any Cambodian-source income and structuring with local tax counsel.
- Two financial naturalisation routes under the 1996 Law on Nationality: investment (Arts. 10 & 11, via a Council for the Development of Cambodia / Royal Government investment authorisation) and donation to the national budget (Art. 12).
- Original 1996 thresholds: investment from KHR 1,250,000,000 (approximately USD 305,000) with the Art. 8(3) seven-year residency requirement expressly exempted; donation from KHR 1,000,000,000 (approximately USD 245,000) requiring only Art. 8 sub-paras 1, 2, 5 and 6.
- Sub-Decree No. 225 of 2025 raised the thresholds to KHR 4 billion (approximately USD 1 million) for an approved investment project and KHR 12 billion (approximately USD 3 million) for a budget donation.
- Donations must be paid through the Ministry of Economy and Finance and have a lawful source; investment funds must be lawful and tax-compliant.
- Applications are filed in person at the Ministry of Interior's General Department of Identification; approved applicants take an oath before the Supreme Court; the grant is conferred by Royal Decree on the basis of a Sub-Decree.
- General naturalisation conditions (Art. 8): good conduct certificate, clean criminal record, residence in Cambodia at application, Khmer language/script/history knowledge and fitness — partially waived for the financial routes.
- Dual citizenship is permitted; Cambodia does not require renunciation of the prior nationality (subject to post-2025 registration rules and a bar on dual nationals holding the four top state offices).
- 2025 reform context: a July 2025 constitutional amendment to Article 33 permits the loss or revocation of Khmer nationality by law, and the Law on Nationality amendment passed on 25 August 2025 introduced revocation grounds (for example treason and collusion with foreign powers) applying to nationals, naturalised citizens and dual citizens without a clear judicial appeal — a material rule-of-law consideration for a citizenship applicant.
- Completed application for acquisition of Khmer nationality (filed in person at the General Department of Identification, Ministry of Interior)
- Valid passport(s) — certified copies
- Birth certificate of the applicant (and of each included dependant)
- Marriage certificate (where a spouse is included) and children's birth certificates
- Certificate of good behaviour and moral conduct issued by the chief of the commune / quarter of residence (Art. 8(1))
- Certificate of clean past criminal record / police clearance attesting no prior criminal conviction (Art. 8(2))
- Proof of current residence in the Kingdom of Cambodia at the time of application (Art. 8(4))
- Evidence of lawful (and tax-compliant) source of the investment or donation funds
- For the investment route: investment permit / CDC or Royal Government investment authorisation and proof the project capital of at least KHR 4 billion was actually spent (Arts. 10/11)
- For the donation route: receipt of the at least KHR 12 billion cash donation paid to the national budget through the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Art. 12)
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Khmer language / script / history evidence where required for the route (Art. 8(5))
- Health / fitness declaration as requested (Art. 8(6))
- Powers of attorney where filed by a licensed representative
The governing law — in our library.
Primary statute: Law on Nationality, adopted by the National Assembly 20 August 1996, promulgated by Royal Kram No. NS/RKM/1096/30 dated 9 October 1996 — naturalisation by investment under Arts. 10 & 11, naturalisation by donation under Art. 12, general naturalisation conditions in Art. 8. 2025 reform: (i) the Constitution was amended — Article 33 changed by the National Assembly on 11 July 2025 (Senate 15 July 2025; promulgated by the King later in July 2025) so that acquisition, loss and revocation of Khmer nationality shall be determined by law; (ii) a Law amending the Law on Nationality was passed by the National Assembly on 25 August 2025 (all 120 members present), adding renunciation/revocation grounds and dual-citizenship provisions; (iii) Sub-Decree No. 225 on the Implementation of the Law on Nationality, issued by the Royal Government on 1 December 2025, sets the current financial thresholds and procedure (investment KHR 4 billion / donation KHR 12 billion). · Administered by Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia — General Department of Identification (applications filed in person). Cash donations are paid to the national budget through the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Qualifying investment projects are authorised by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) or the Royal Government. Khmer nationality is granted by Royal Decree (Reach Kret); approved applicants take an oath before the Supreme Court..
Documents marked “held by Kestrel” are mirrored on our own servers from the official source, so the reference is always available.
Cambodia, answered.
- How much does Cambodia citizenship by investment cost?
- The lowest qualifying investment is USD 1,000,000 via the Business route. Government, due-diligence and professional fees are additional. Every figure is confirmed in writing before you commit to anything.
- How long does the Cambodia citizenship process take?
- There is no single statutory end-to-end timeline. Sub-Decree No. 225 sets administrative review windows of 45 working days (initial review), 30 working days (correct deficiencies) and 15 working days (re-evaluation), followed by the Royal Decree grant and the Supreme Court oath. Budget 6-12 months end to end, including investment execution or donation settlement and security review.
- Does the Cambodia passport allow visa-free travel to the Schengen Area?
- Visa required — no visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
- Can I include my family in the Cambodia application?
- Sub-Decree No. 225 treats the family as a unit: parents may apply together with their minor children as a family unit, and children not included in the original application may be added later on proof of parentage; a foreign spouse may also be included. Sibling and dependent-parent inclusion is not provided for under the Cambodian programme. A separate marriage route exists under the 1996 Law (Art. 6: a foreign spouse of a Khmer national may apply after three years of marriage), and children of naturalised parents can acquire Khmer nationality by descent or declaration (Arts. 4 & 21).
- What due diligence does Cambodia require?
- General naturalisation conditions in Art. 8 apply (modified for the financial routes): a certificate of good behaviour/moral conduct from the commune/quarter chief; a certificate of clean past criminal record (never convicted of a criminal offence); current residence in Cambodia at the time of application; and — for naturalisation generally — Khmer language, script and history knowledge plus mental and physical fitness posing no danger to the nation. For the donation route (Art. 12) only sub-paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6 of Art. 8 must be met. Sub-Decree No. 225 requires applications to be filed in person at the General Department of Identification, mandates a lawful and tax-compliant source of funds, and sets review windows (approximately 45 working days initial review; 30 working days to remedy deficiencies; 15 working days re-evaluation; 30 working days appeal rights after rejection). Approved applicants swear an oath before the Supreme Court before the Royal Decree grant.
- Does Cambodia citizenship grant the right to live in the European Union?
- No. Cambodia citizenship can confer a second passport and visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel, but it grants no right to live, work or settle in the EU and no path to an EU passport. For a European foothold, residence by investment is the direct route.
General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Figures are verified to 2026 against official primary sources, and eligibility, thresholds and timelines are confirmed in writing before you commit to anything.
The programme you apply under is the one that exists on the day you file.
For residence applications, we generally plan on approximately two to three months to approval and three to six months from instruction to residence card.
Citizenship applications vary more widely. A straightforward application may receive approval within approximately three months, but six to nine months to passport issuance is a more prudent planning assumption.
Programme rules, government fees and processing times can change. We therefore reconfirm the applicable terms immediately before an application is filed.
Neither approval nor timing can be guaranteed.
If Cambodia is the route you want, we can start your file.
A first conversation, not a commitment. Tell us who would be included and what you already hold, and we come back with the route, the confirmed terms and the timeline for Cambodia — or tell you honestly if another programme fits you better.