Foreigners willing to invest at least 4 billion riel ( approximately US$1 million ) of their own funds in a legitimate investment project in Cambodia will be able to apply for Cambodian citizenship .
This opportunity is also open to those who make a monetary donation to the national budget or the country’s humanitarian sector in the amount of at least 12 billion riel (approximately $3 million) . This is stated in a bylaw adopted on December 1 as part of the implementation of the Citizenship Law.
According to the document, foreigners who have received permission from competent authorities to legally invest in priority sectors can apply for Khmer citizenship through naturalization.
Applications from foreign investors will be reviewed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs . If necessary, the agency has the right to involve other ministries and government agencies in the review. It is emphasized that investment funds must be of transparent and legal origin .
A separate procedure is in place for obtaining citizenship through donations . In this case, the foreign applicant is required to contribute at least 12 billion riel to the national budget or the humanitarian sector . The funds must be transferred through the Ministry of Economy and Finance and must also have a verified legal source .
The new requirements are significantly stricter than the previous ones . Previously, to apply for Cambodian citizenship by investment, a contribution of just over $300,000 was sufficient , and the minimum donation was approximately $245,000 .