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Leaving America for Cambodia

A guide to moving to Cambodia from the US. Covers retirement and business extensions of stay, ultra-low cost of living, and a city guide for Siem Reap.

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Country Overview

Economic Overview

Currency: KHR — 4100.0000 per USD (≈ 0.0% vs 1yr ago) Inflation: 1.3% current CPI (2026-01) · 2.9% 5yr avg

Property & Ownership

Freehold ownership: No Mechanism: Strata title for units above ground floor, long‑term lease, Cambodian‑majority company structures Restricted zones: Ground‑floor exclusion under strata; no foreign freehold land nationwide Recent changes: None identified since 2020

Visa & Residency Options

Tourist visa (Type T)

  • PR path: Not provided via this visa
  • Single‑entry; US State Dept notes tourist/business visas are one month from entry; DC Embassy states a one‑time 30‑day extension is possible

Ordinary (E‑class) entry visa (initial)

  • PR path: Not provided via this visa
  • E‑class is the base for long stays; EOS available in 1/3/6/12‑month increments; 6‑ and 12‑month EOS are multi‑entry; 1‑ and 3‑month EOS are single‑entry

EB (Business/Employment) Extension of Stay (EOS)

  • Min income: Not specified by immigration; employment requires MLVT documentation/month USD
  • PR path: Not directly; separate PR/nationality processes apply (not confirmed here)
  • 1/3/6/12‑month options; 6/12‑month are multi‑entry. Initial 6‑12‑month EB may be issued without work permit, but renewals require valid work permit/employment card; self‑employed can document business activity

ER (Retirement) Extension of Stay (EOS)

  • Min income: Not specified in cited sources/month USD
  • PR path: Not directly (not confirmed here)
  • Typically available to those aged 55+; sources note indefinite renewals and generally fewer supporting documents once qualifying

ES (Student) Extension of Stay (EOS)

  • PR path: Not directly (not confirmed here)
  • For students; renewable; documentation required by schools/immigration

EG (General/Job‑seeking) Extension of Stay (EOS)

  • PR path: Not directly (not confirmed here)
  • Single‑entry; often used by first‑time E‑class entrants while seeking employment; EG is generally not renewable beyond initial issue

EP (Proposal) EOS (job/business exploration)

  • PR path: Not directly (not confirmed here)
  • Can be converted to EB with required documentation if employment/business is secured

Cambodia My Second Home (CM2H) – investor/long‑stay pathway

  • Min income: Not confirmed/month USD
  • Investment: Not confirmed in this pass
  • PR path: Program’s own site claims holders can apply for a Cambodian passport after 5 years; treat as a claim pending independent official confirmation
  • CM2H is promoted by a private operator; verify current official status with Cambodian authorities as operational details and official recognition have varied in media reporting

Social Security & Tax

SSA benefits portable: Qualified Totalization agreement: None — SSA agreements overview US expat taxes: Greenback Tax Services — Cambodia guide

City Guides

City Guide