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This guide is a curated summary for Cambodia, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, fees and advisory levels change without notice. Always confirm with the official immigration authority, tax authority or your embassy before you travel, move money, or apply.
Doing Business in Cambodia for Foreigners
Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia's most open economies for foreign investors: 100% foreign ownership of companies is permitted in most sectors, there is a single online registration portal, the economy is US-dollar-based, there are no foreign-exchange controls and profits can be freely repatriated. The key hard limit is land — foreigners cannot own land outright — and sectors such as land-holding, media and some natural resources are restricted or need a Cambodian partner.
Last reviewed Aug 1, 2026
Overview
Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia's most open economies for foreign investors: 100% foreign ownership of companies is permitted in most sectors, there is a single online registration portal, the economy is US-dollar-based, there are no foreign-exchange controls and profits can be freely repatriated. The key hard limit is land — foreigners cannot own land outright — and sectors such as land-holding, media and some natural resources are restricted or need a Cambodian partner.
Corporate income tax (Tax on Income)
Standard rate 20%; oil, gas and certain minerals 30%. VAT is 10%. QIP/incentive holidays are available via the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
No foreign-exchange controls
There are no foreign-exchange controls on most transfers, and free profit repatriation is an explicit investment selling point.
Company formation
The most common vehicle is the Private Limited Company (PLC), which allows 100% foreign ownership and limited liability, with a minimum of 1 director and 1 shareholder of any nationality. Registration is through the Single Portal (CamDX), integrating the Ministry of Commerce, the General Department of Taxation and the Ministry of Labour.
Timeline & cost
The government target is about 8 working days; realistically end-to-end takes about 2–3 weeks. Typical all-in professional cost is roughly USD 2,000–5,000.
Foreign ownership
100% foreign ownership is allowed in most sectors; exceptions require a Cambodian partner (land-holding companies must be at least 51% Khmer-owned, along with media and some natural-resource/regulated sectors). The defining restriction is land.
Land — the key restriction
Foreigners cannot own land in their own name (the Constitution reserves land for Cambodian nationals/entities). Legal routes include strata title for condos on the 1st floor and above (capped at 70% foreign ownership per building), long-term leases (up to 50 years, renewable), or a Khmer-majority land-holding company (higher risk).
Property transfer tax is about 4%; new developer sales carry 10% VAT.
Work permits
Foreign employees need a work permit/employment card from the Ministry of Labour & Vocational Training, applied for via the FWCMS online portal.
Fee & foreign-worker quota
The government fee is roughly USD 100–200 per year (job/employer dependent). Foreign workers are capped at 10% of the local workforce (3% office, 6% skilled, 1% unskilled); employers file the annual quota (application window around September–November of the prior year; permit deadline around 31 March).
Banking
The economy is heavily US-dollar-based alongside the Khmer riel; business banking, invoicing and salaries are commonly in USD. Foreigners and companies can open corporate accounts with KYC and registration documents.
Corporate accounts & transfers
Foreigners/companies can open corporate accounts (KYC plus registration docs). There are no foreign-exchange controls on most transfers. The National Bank of Cambodia is the regulator and is integrated into the business-registration portal.
Tax & profit repatriation
Corporate income tax is 20% standard, there are no exchange controls, and profits and capital can be freely repatriated once taxes are settled.
Corporate income tax & VAT
Standard Tax on Income 20% (2026); oil/gas and certain mineral resources 30%; VAT 10%. QIP/incentive holidays are available via the CDC.
Withholding tax on non-residents
Withholding of about 14% applies to many payments to non-residents (dividends, interest, royalties, services), with a 20% flat rate on certain non-resident income. The exact split by payment type should be confirmed against the GDT.
The 14% vs 20% split by payment category was not confirmed against a primary GDT schedule this pass — verify per payment type before relying on it.
Repatriation
No restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, or on most transfers of funds abroad, subject to tax being settled. Free profit repatriation is an explicit investment selling point.
Key sectors
The economy leans on export manufacturing, tourism and construction, with growing digital and logistics activity.
Leading sectors
Garment/textiles and footwear (the largest export), tourism, construction and real estate, agriculture (rice, rubber, cassava), light manufacturing/assembly, and a growing digital/fintech and logistics sector. Special Economic Zones and QIP incentives (via the CDC) target export manufacturing.
Official sources
- Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) — Government of Cambodia
- Ministry of Commerce — Government of Cambodia
- General Department of Taxation (GDT) — Ministry of Economy and Finance
- National Bank of Cambodia — National Bank of Cambodia (central bank)
- MLVT — Foreign Workforce Centralized Management System (FWCMS) — Ministry of Labour & Vocational Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Cambodian company?
Can foreigners own land?
How long does company registration take?
What is the corporate tax rate?
Can I move profits out of Cambodia?
Do foreign employees need work permits?
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