Business Registration Basics

How do I register a business in Cambodia?

You register online through the Cambodia Data Exchange (CamDX) system. This integrates the Ministry of Commerce, tax department, and other government agencies in one portal.

The registration process involves:

Company name reservation
Document preparation and submission
Tax registration (TIN, Patent Tax, VAT if applicable)
Labor registration

Processing time: 2-3 weeks with complete documentation.

Official portal: registrationservices.gov.kh

Do businesses need a physical address in Cambodia?

Yes, every business must have a registered office address in Cambodia. This cannot be a P.O. box and serves as your official address for government correspondence. The address must be maintained throughout your business operations and updated if you relocate.

What is the minimum capital requirement?

Standard requirement: KHR 4,000,000 (approximately $1,000) declared capital for Limited Liability Companies.
Important: This amount must be deposited into your corporate bank account within 15 working days after tax registration completion.

Costs and Timing

How much does business registration cost?

Sole Proprietorship

Starting from: $550
Includes: All government fees + professional services

Limited Liability Company

Starting from: $1,650
Includes: All government fees + professional services

Additional costs:

Banking setup assistance included
Work permits: $230/year (if needed)

How long does business registration take?

Standard processing: 2-3 weeks

Complete timeline breakdown:

Company registration: 2-3 weeks
Banking setup: 1-2 days
Work permits (if needed): 3-4 weeks

Expedited service: Available upon request with additional fees.

What happens if my application is delayed?

We monitor your application daily and maintain direct relationships with government officials to resolve delays quickly. You receive regular status updates throughout the process.

Foreign Investor Guide

Can foreigners own 100% of a Cambodian company?

Yes, in most business sectors, foreign investors can own 100% of a Cambodian company without requiring local partners.

The main exception: Land ownership requires minimum 51% Cambodian shareholding.

Alternatives for land:

Long-term leases (up to 50 years, renewable)
Strata-title ownership for certain condominiums
Corporate structures with Cambodian partners

What business activities are restricted for foreign investors?

Restricted sectors:

Land ownership (requires 51% Cambodian ownership)
Some media and telecommunications
Natural resource extraction
Rice production and processing

Most other sectors allow 100% foreign investment including trading, consulting, manufacturing, IT services, and hospitality.

How many shareholders do I need?

Limited Liability Company: 2-30 shareholdersSingle-Member Company: 1 shareholder only

No requirements for:

Shareholder nationality
Shareholder residence in Cambodia

Reference: Business Registration Portal

Do directors need to be Cambodian?

No. Directors can be foreign nationals and are not required to reside in Cambodia.

Minimum requirement: 1 director for Limited Liability Companies

Visa Requirements

What visa do I need to start a business in Cambodia?

E-type (Ordinary) visa – commonly called “business visa”

Cost: $35 USD (reduced from January 2025)Validity: Single entry, 30-day stay, extendable locallyApplication: Online via evisa.gov.kh or at embassies

How do I apply for an E-type visa?

Required documents:

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Passport photocopy (main page with validity dates)
Recent passport photos (white background, less than 6 months old)
Patent tax certificate with company stamp
Signed invitation letter with company stamp
Employment contract (recommended but not mandatory)
Ministry of Commerce certificate with director’s signature and stamp
Visa fee payment

What visa extensions are available?

EB visa: Most common for business owners and employees

Duration: 3, 6, or 12 months
Multiple entries available for 6+ month extensions
Required for legal employment

EP visa: For job seekers (1-3 months)EG visa: For work seekers (1, 3, or 6 months)

Extension costs: Approximately $115-145 for 3-month extensions

Can I work with just an E-visa?

No. To work legally in Cambodia, you need:

E-visa extension (EB/EP/EG)
Work Permit from Ministry of Labor
Employment Card

This applies to all foreign workers, including business owners and directors.

Reference: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Cambodia

Work Permits

Do I need a work permit as a business owner?

It depends on your role:

Work permit REQUIRED if:

You receive salary as CEO or director
You actively manage company operations
Your name appears on the Patent Tax certificate

Work permit NOT required if:

You are a passive investor/shareholder only
You receive no compensation from the company
You don’t participate in daily operations

Special case: Retirees can own companies without E-visas but cannot be salaried executives.

Do I need a work permit as a business owner?How much does a work permit cost?

Annual cost: $230 (includes Work Permit + Employment Card)
Official service fees: $30/quota request + $50/permit applicationProcessing
Processing time: 15-20 days after complete submission.

What documents do I need for a work permit?

Personal documents:

Valid passport and visa extension
Passport photocopy (main page with validity dates)
Recent photo (white background, less than 6 months old)
Medical certificate (no contagious diseases)
Educational certificates (apostilled)
Criminal background check (apostilled)

Employment documents:

Employment contract with company stamp
Company registration certificate
Proof of address and residence verification

For company shareholders:

Proof of company formation (notarized or official government document)

Can my company hire foreign employees?

Yes, but with limitations:

Foreign worker quota: Maximum 10% of total workforce (exceptions possible with justification)Process: Apply for quota first through FWCMS, then individual work permits

Requirements:

Company must be registered and operational
Quota approval from Ministry of Labor
Individual work permits for each foreign employee

References:

When do work permits need renewal?

Validity period: Until December 31st of the year issuedRenewal window: January 1st – March 31stLate renewal: Subject to penalties after March 31st

Important: Foreign workers must renew 2024 permits before May 31st, 2025 to avoid penalties.

Banking and Finance

Can I open a corporate bank account as a foreigner?

Yes, after company registration is complete.

Required documents:

Certificate of Incorporation
Tax registration documents
Director identification documents
Registered address lease agreement
Initial capital deposit

Each bank may have additional requirements, so we assist with the application process.

Are there restrictions on money transfers?

Bank transfers: No restrictions via licensed banksLarge transfers: No prior declaration required from clientsCash limits: Physical cash $10,000+ requires customs declaration

Currencies: Cambodia uses both USD and Cambodian Riel. Most business operates in USD for larger transactions.

Reference: National Bank of Cambodia

Licenses and Compliance

What licenses do I need beyond company registration?

Mandatory for all businesses:

Patent Tax certificate (business license)
VAT registration (if applicable)
Municipal business registration

Industry-specific licenses may include:

Restaurant/food service permits
Construction licenses
Tourism business permits
Import/export licenses

What are my ongoing compliance obligations?

Monthly requirements:

Tax filings (VAT, withholding tax, prepayments)
Deadline: 20th of following month

Annual requirements:

Corporate income tax filing
Financial statements submission
Company annual filing (within 3 months of registration anniversary)
Work permit renewals (for foreign employees)

Employee-related (if applicable):

Social security contributions (NSSF)
Labor law compliance reporting

References: PwC Tax Summaries – Cambodia

Common Concerns

What if I have tax problems after registration?

BMIX Guarantee: If tax issues result from our errors, we cover the resulting penalties.

Ongoing support includes:

Free consultation for former clients
Government liaison assistance
Problem resolution support
Administrative issue guidance

How do I know your services are reliable?

Track record:

10 years established in Cambodia
90% of clients from referrals
Direct government relationships
Professional liability insurance
Transparent pricing

What if I need help after registration?

Continued support services:

Government communications assistance
Company amendment processing
Accounting and tax services
HR and compliance guidance
Problem resolution

What if my business plans change?

We handle all company modifications including:

Business activity changes
Director appointments/removals
Shareholding adjustments
Registered address changes
Corporate restructuring

All changes maintain full legal compliance.

Why Choose BMIX

Our competitive advantages:

Complete service coverage: From initial setup through ongoing operations

Government relationships: Direct contacts for smoother processing and issue resolution

Error protection: We pay penalties for mistakes made by our team

Local expertise: 10 years experience in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh markets

Multilingual support: English, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Khmer

Flexible approach: Customized solutions for your specific business needs

Do you help with office setup?

Yes, our services include:

Office location scouting
Lease agreement review
Registered address compliance verification
Setup coordination with legal requirements

Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions