🇰🇭 Phnom Penh · Paperwork
Registration, banking and utilities in Phnom Penh
One of the simplest immigration positions in the region, handled in practice through agents, with a work permit obligation people often overlook.
The thing people get wrongExtending a stay in Cambodia is genuinely easy, which lulls people into ignoring the separate work permit requirement. They are two different obligations and the second one is the one that gets forgotten.
Visas and extensions
Most long-stay foreign residents enter on an ordinary E-class visa and then extend it, with the extension type depending on whether the purpose is employment, business, retirement or study. Extensions are commonly arranged through agents, which is normal practice here rather than a workaround. Rules and categories do change, so confirm the current position with the immigration authorities or a reputable agent.
- Enter on the correct class — converting from a tourist visa is not always possible.
- Extension type follows the purpose of stay; durations vary.
- Agents handle most extensions and are widely used.
- Overstay is charged per day and accumulates.
The work permit
Foreign nationals working in Cambodia are required to hold a work permit issued by the labour ministry, renewed annually, and employers are required to declare foreign staff. It is separate from the visa extension and it is the obligation most commonly neglected. Enforcement has tightened over time, so treat it as required rather than optional.
- The work permit is separate from the visa and renewed annually.
- Employers have their own declaration obligations for foreign staff.
- Ask your employer directly whether yours has been filed, and see it.
Banking and money
Cambodia runs on US dollars with riel for small change, which removes most currency friction. Opening a local account is comparatively straightforward with a passport, a visa and often a letter from an employer or landlord. ABA and other local banks have good apps, and QR payments via Bakong and bank apps are widely accepted.
- Passport, valid visa and often an address or employer letter to open an account.
- Dollars for prices, riel for change below a dollar.
- QR payments are widely accepted; cash is still common in markets.
In order
- Enter on the correct visa class for your purpose.
- Arrange the extension through a reputable agent or directly.
- Confirm your employer has filed the work permit, and see it.
- Open a local bank account and set up QR payments.
- Diarise the visa extension and the annual work permit renewal.
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