The Cambodia My Second Home (CM2H) program provides a 10‑year “golden visa” for foreign investors and businesspeople, with a pathway to Cambodian citizenship after five years.
Program options
| Option | Investment type | Minimum amount | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Donation | Pure donation to the program | US $50,000 | No further financial commitment required. |
| 2 – Approved real‑estate | Purchase of government‑approved property | US $85,000 | Developer offers a buy‑back after five years at US $50,000, effectively costing US $35,000. Rental income is paid annually. No mandatory holding period; owners may keep or sell the property at any time. |
| 3 – Fixed deposit | Term deposit in a Cambodian bank (contractually restricted to low‑risk assets) | US $150,000 for 5 years at 1 % p.a. US $200,000 for 5 years at 4 % p.a. |
Funds are locked for five years; the deposit is not a typical market investment but a secure bank placement. |
Residency length and renewal
- The visa is valid for 10 years from issuance.
- After five years, holders may apply for Cambodian citizenship, subject to an interview and assessment of contributions (taxes paid, jobs created, business activity).
- No explicit requirement to reside a minimum number of days each year, but authorities may review entry records when evaluating citizenship applications.
- The government has indicated an intention to extend the program beyond the initial ten years, though details and any additional fees are not yet confirmed.
Family inclusion
- A family package is available for spouses and children under 18.
- Each additional family member pays US $35,000 on top of the main applicant’s chosen option.
- The program is primarily aimed at individual investors, but families are accommodated once the primary applicant is enrolled.
Application timeline
- Initial submission – Provide passport copy and complete a registration form. Background check by the General Department of Immigration takes 5–7 working days.
- Approval – Once the background check passes (valid for one month), the applicant must travel to Cambodia to complete the remaining steps.
- On‑site processing – Typically 5–10 working days after arrival. An optional express fee of US $200 can accelerate this to about five days.
- Visa issuance – The CM2H visa sticker is placed in the passport, granting the 10‑year residency.
Additional benefits for members
- Company registration – Assistance with setting up a local business and obtaining a 10‑year work permit.
- Banking support – Help opening personal and corporate bank accounts; Cambodian banks offer seamless international transfers, no capital controls, and responsive private‑banker services.
- Trust services – Because foreign nationals cannot hold land titles directly, the program can arrange a trust structure that holds the title on the investor’s behalf.
- Tax and legal guidance – Access to authentic information on Cambodian tax law, investment regulations, and other compliance matters.
Path to citizenship
- After five years of residency, applicants may apply for citizenship.
- Evaluation focuses on the applicant’s economic contribution (taxes, job creation, business activity).
- No Khmer language requirement.
- Citizenship is not guaranteed; passive investors who do not engage in business or contribute to the economy are less likely to be approved.
Why choose CM2H over other visas?
- Stability – The 10‑year visa eliminates annual renewal hassles and reduces exposure to policy changes that have tightened business‑visa issuance since late 2025.
- Cost‑effectiveness – Compared with short‑term retirement or business visas (often a few hundred dollars per year), the CM2H’s investment thresholds are competitive, especially when factoring in the bundled services (company registration, work permit, banking assistance).
- Long‑term security – The program offers a clear, government‑backed route to long‑term residence and potential citizenship, which ad‑hoc visas do not provide.
Typical applicant origins
The program’s current client base is led by investors from Australia, Japan, and Europe, with relatively few applicants from China at this stage.
