Is Cambodia friendly to foreigners?
Cambodians are friendly, but you should be wary if a Cambodian or other foreign national befriends you quickly and invites you to their home or hotel on the pretext of meeting their family.
It is one of the best places in Asia to live as an expat. Over 100,000 expats are currently residing here, and life is good! To help you, Realestate.com.kh has put together a definitive Cambodia expat guide.
Cambodia is a beautiful country to live in for both first-time travellers and experienced globetrotters. It is developing quickly but remains incredibly cheap for foreigners, meaning your money will go a long way! Locals welcome foreigners openly.
Three of four people live on less than $3 a day. Most of these people are rural, but urban poverty is also on the rise. Urban slums account for 25 percent of the population of Phnom Penh. These areas face many challenges, including poor sanitation and hygiene, high rates of diarrhea and malnutrition.
The major challenges are sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues, including STIs and HIV/AIDS (prevalence of 0.2 percent among youth aged 15-24), unwanted pregnancy, pregnancy-related illnesses, unsafe abortion, mental health problems, accidents and violence.
Petty crime in Cambodia
The most common crimes in Cambodia are bag-snatching and pickpocketing. Whether you're in a tuk-tuk, on the back of a motorbike taxi or just wandering around the crowded markets or countryside, non-violent petty theft can happen anywhere.
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Cambodia. Foreigners in Cambodia are not however allowed to own properties on the ground floor of a building and are not allowed to own land outright under the foreign ownership property law. Most foreigners will look to own a freehold condominium in Cambodia.
If you'll be living in a city, plan on spending another $200 a week on food, transportation, and entertainment. If you're willing to live quite frugally (and you aren't planning on getting sauced every night), you can live on $600 or $700 a month in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, but it won't be nearly as much fun.
What is the Real Cost of Living in Cambodia? Compared to many Asian countries, the cost of living in Cambodia is still relatively cheap. A foreigner living alone in the city can easily get by on $800 – $1,000 per month if he cooks his own food and indulges in minimal luxuries.
Employment in Cambodia
At a Glance: Garment-making and tourism are the main economic sectors in Cambodia, but skilled professionals are also highly sought after. Whether you want to teach English or work in a multinational company, online portals are the best place to start your job search.
Is it good to work in Cambodia?
If you are looking for a seasonal position, internship or a short-term job, then Cambodia is a perfect place for you to bring some variety to your work routine. However, I would not recommend choosing Cambodia as a place to build your career in for years to come.
Visitors can stay in Cambodia for up to 30 days with a tourist visa. Travelers must enter the country within 3 months of the visa issue date and, starting from the date of entry, they can remain for a maximum of 30 days. Tourists can request a 30-day visa extension at the Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh.
Entry and residency requirements
There are no residence requirements in Cambodia apart from obtaining a current valid visa. Cambodian permanent residency can be granted on a case-by-case basis but this is at the discretion of the King and can depend on language ability and other factors.
Cambodia is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2022, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide.
Cambodian parents always tell their children not to touch or pat another person's head because it is a sin. When standing or posing for a picture, a younger person never puts his/her hand on an elder's shoulder. It is considered very rude. When talking, take off hats and don't put hands in pockets.
Cambodia allows 100% foreign-ownership for foreign investors setting up a company in Cambodia. Foreign investors can fully own limited liability companies in Cambodia, and there is no restriction on the directors or shareholder's nationality and no restriction to trade. However, foreigners cannot own land.
Cambodia or Thailand – Solo Travel
Solo travel in Cambodia is totally do-able (and possibly a little safer than Thailand) but it can be more expensive and you'll need more resilience.
Vietnam or Cambodia – Dangers & Annoyances
Vietnam is an overall safer place with fewer scams and annoyances to watch out for. Both countries are perfectly safe for travellers and most scams are avoided just by being smart and aware.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times and to be extra vigilant when displaying items like jewelry, bags and cell phones in public. Violent crime, such as sexual assault and homicide, is common, sometimes against foreigners.
| Property Rates Inside the City | Current | Last Year |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Land per sq.m. | $2,500 | $2,000 |
| Commercial Land per sq.m. | $5,000 | $4,500 |
| Studio Apartment | $120,000 | $100,000 |
| Single Unit Apartment 1 Bedroom | $150,000 | $130,000 |
Can a foreigner buy a hotel in Cambodia?
Can foreigners buy hotels in Cambodia? The same as it goes in most other Southeast Asian countries, with an exception for Singapore and Malaysia, you cannot buy hotels as a foreign individual in Cambodia. Foreigners can only get hold of strata-titled units which are typically located in condominiums.
Out of 183 economies, the World Bank has ranked Cambodia 171st in terms of ease of setting up a new business. Cambodia saddles would-be entrepreneurs with a plethora of procedures to follow, and the average number of days it takes to register a business clocks in at 85–much more than in neighboring countries.
| Expense | U.S. $ |
|---|---|
| Rent: (furnished two-bedroom apartment) | $381 |
| High-speed internet | $19 |
| Pay TV (standard package) | $5 |
| Electricity (including regular A/C) | $92 |
Thailand is 11.2% more expensive than Cambodia.
A week in Cambodia can cost you about $346 (per person), while a week in Vietnam may cost you around $361. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. 10 days, two weeks, or even one month of travel to Cambodia or Vietnam can really add to your travel budget.
| Restaurants | Edit |
|---|---|
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 0.74$ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 10.50$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 0.92$ |
| Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | 1.94$ |
A person working in Phnom Penh typically earns around 3,610,000 KHR per month. Salaries range from 913,000 KHR (lowest average) to 16,100,000 KHR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits.
Cars in Cambodia are about twice as expensive as those in the United States. When we learned of it, we were shocked. The Cambodian government does not manufacture any cars or car parts, so all vehicles are imported and subject to over 100% taxes.
The easiest way to find jobs in Cambodia, though, is through other expats. While the expat community is growing larger every day, it's still small enough that finding a job the old-fashioned way–through someone you know–isn't too hard. There are many opportunities for networking, particularly in Phnom Penh.
| Job type | Median salary (USD) | Salary ranking compared to all cities |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Manager | $6,274 | 259/265 |
| Marketing Manager | $6,215 | 258/265 |
| Sales Manager | $6,174 | 259/265 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $6,096 | 259/265 |
What is the average salary in Cambodia?
Meanwhile, based on a data compiled by Picodi on August 2020, Cambodia ranks 101st out of 106 countries in the world in terms of average wage – one of the lowest average wage in the world and lower than its other neighbors in Southeast Asia, recorded at US$212 or KHR 869,000.
Cambodia ranked number one among the “World's Friendliest Countries”, according to a reader poll conducted by London-based international website “Rough Guides”.
If you are looking for a seasonal position, internship or a short-term job, then Cambodia is a perfect place for you to bring some variety to your work routine. However, I would not recommend choosing Cambodia as a place to build your career in for years to come.
Cambodia is a relatively cheap country to live and visit and one of the best places in Asia to live as a retired expat, making it a popular destination for retirees. To retire in Cambodia, you must apply for a Cambodia Retirement ER Visa.
Some are after development jobs that will move their careers forward. Others are looking for a relaxed retirement. Still others are seeking a place where expenses are so low that they can afford to pursue creative endeavours without having to endure the hassle of working a traditional 9-to-5 job.
