When businesses grow in Cambodia, it is essential to ensure that all employees obtain the proper work permits before relocating.
The company must also have a foreign labor quota, which is a license for enterprises or organizations to employ multiple international workers approved by the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT).
Before sponsoring international employees, you must also have a locally registered entity.
Types of Work Visas in Cambodia
All non-nationals working in Cambodia must obtain an electronic visa, formerly known as a business or ordinary visa, valid for 30 days. They must also obtain a work permit and employment card through the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT). In 2016, Cambodia introduced new E-class visa extension categories, including:
EB Visa: The most common option for non-nationals working in Cambodia. It applies to anyone working in the country, starting a business, performing contractor work, and staying in Cambodia for more than a month.
EP Visa: Issued to nationals from other countries who come to Cambodia to look for work, start a business, or stay in Cambodia after their initial 30-day stay.
EG Visa: A general visa suitable for job seekers. It can last for 1, 3, or 6 months.
ER Visa: Suitable for those wishing to retire in Cambodia. They must present retirement documents from their home country and prove they can financially support themselves.
ES Visa: Issued to students attending school or university in Cambodia. Holders can extend indefinitely, provided they can submit a letter from a registered Cambodian school and prove financial support.
ET Visa: This is a technical personnel visa extension, suitable for individuals working in specific industries or sectors.
Requirements for Obtaining a Cambodian Work Visa
To sponsor employees for a Cambodian work visa and permit, companies must provide necessary information and documents such as:
A company registration certificate with the company seal, registered business address, tax patent with the company seal, a list of all international and local employees ensuring a ratio not less than 9:1 approved by MOC, company statutes
Employees must provide their own information, including:
Name, gender, date of birth and height, ID and passport copies, E-visa copy, current address, full names of parents, education, photo, health certificate, information about their role in the company, the year they obtained their first E-visa
Application Process
Employees can apply for a Cambodian work visa in advance at the nearest Cambodian embassy by submitting the above documents. It is also available upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport.
Once an individual holds a work visa, they must apply for a work permit, valid for one year. Remember, regardless of when the work permit is issued, its validity expires on December 31 of the year issued.
Residence permits can be renewed as long as the period stated on the permit. Cambodia offers different work permits - temporary and permanent options.
Temporary work permits are suitable for employees and management experts, technicians, skilled workers, and service providers/other workers. Internationally recognized workers and international investors recognized by the Cambodian Development Council, spouses, and other family members are eligible for permanent work permits.
Other Important Considerations
Work permits and employment cards can be obtained through the convenient 1-window service office online system at FWCMS (mlvt.gov.kh). Before hiring any international professionals, employers must apply for the foreign labor quota annually by the end of November. This license is mandatory and must be submitted together with the work permit and employment card application.
