Nationality of Cambodia: all obtaining pathways
Cambodia requires seven years of residence for ordinary naturalization, reduced in practice to two or three years through marriage. It also permits citizenship by investment from 1 million USD, or by a 3-million-USD donation to the State — high thresholds set by the sub-decree of December 2025.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Continuous residence in Cambodia for a minimum of 7 years (with a valid residence card)
- Minimum age of 18
- Good conduct and a clean criminal record
- Knowledge of Khmer and of Khmer script
- Financial self-sufficiency
- Renouncing the previous nationality (Cambodia does not allow dual nationality by naturalization)
Documentation
- Naturalization application to the King (through the Ministry of the Interior)
- Passport and residence card
- Criminal record certificate from Cambodia and the country of origin
- Certificate of knowledge of Khmer
- Employment and income certificate
- Photos and fingerprints
2Naturalization by marriage to a Cambodian national
Naturalization by marriage to a Cambodian national
Requirements
- Live with the Khmer spouse for 3 YEARS from the registration of the marriage certificate (Law on Nationality 1996, art. 5)
- Good behaviour/moral conduct certificate from the Commune Chief
- No criminal record
- Royal sub-decree for each grant (discretionary decision)
- Note: administrative restrictions (Prakas 2011) on foreign men marrying Cambodian women by age/salary
Documentation
- Cambodian marriage certificate
- Passport and residence visa
- Criminal record certificate
- Cambodian spouse's identity document (national identity card)
3Naturalization by investment (donation to the State)
Naturalization by investment (donation to the State)
Requirements
- Donation to Cambodia's national budget (variable amount — historically 250,000 to 300,000 USD)
- Government recommendation
- Good conduct
- Royal approval (decree of the King)
Documentation
- Proof of transfer of the donation to the government
- Passport
- Government letter of recommendation
- Criminal record certificate
4Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Cambodian national at the time of birth
- Registration at the embassy if born abroad
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Cambodian parent's identity document
- Cambodian family register
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Cambodia
How many years of residence does Cambodia require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Cambodia (Naturalization by residence), the term is 7 years. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Cambodia allow dual nationality?
Renouncing the previous nationality (Cambodia does not allow dual nationality by naturalization)
Can the nationality of Cambodia be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization by marriage to a Cambodian national pathway (3 years of cohabitation from marriage registration (art. 5)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Cambodia require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Naturalization application to the King (through the Ministry of the Interior); Passport and residence card; Criminal record certificate from Cambodia and the country of origin; Certificate of knowledge of Khmer; Employment and income certificate; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Cambodia?
Cambodia provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization by marriage to a Cambodian national, Naturalization by investment, Nationality by descent.
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Anything to correct or add about Cambodia?
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