In recent years, two foreigners have been approved for naturalization in Cambodia for their love, dedication and promotion of Khmer martial arts: Derek Bidaut, a Frenchman who was naturalized in 2020, and Thiago Teixeira, a recently naturalized Brazilian.
Derek Bidaut, who came to Cambodia in 2009, is passionate about Khmer martial arts and lion fighting and speaks fluent Cambodian. After teaching Khmer martial arts for more than 10 years, he was approved by the King of Cambodia as a Cambodian naturalizer in 2020.
After becoming a Cambodian citizen, Derek Bidaut has fully integrated into Cambodian life, working as a judge in Khmer martial arts competitions, playing with locals, and playing roles in Cambodian movies, like a true Cambodian.
Thiago Teixeira was announced by the World Muay Thai Organization to strip him of his belt for supporting Khmer boxing, and was loved by the Cambodian people. Prime Minister Hun Sen applied to the King and invited him to become a Cambodian citizen.
He has become a big star, with gifts from fans, television interviews, and donations from Cambodian fans.
Previously, the famous American actress Angelina Jolie was also granted Cambodian nationality in 2005.
Julie's famous movie "Tomb Raider" was filmed in Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and since then, Julie and Cambodia have forged an indissoluble bond. Since 2000, Julie has been working in charity in Cambodia and has adopted the Cambodian orphan Maddox.
Although Cambodia is a small country, naturalization in Cambodia is not simple, and the gold content is not low! In addition to the above kind of people who have made special contributions to Cambodia internationally will be specially approved to join Cambodia, it takes at least more than 300,000 US dollars to obtain Cambodian nationality normally! That is to say, receiving Cambodian nationality is equivalent to receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars, and at the same time obtaining Cambodian nationality brings many benefits!
What are the benefits of obtaining Cambodian citizenship?
1. Can have permanent property rights of Cambodian land
The Cambodian Constitution stipulates that Cambodian nationality is required to fully own Cambodian land, and as a foreigner, you can only buy houses with more than two floors, and cannot buy land, villas and shops below the second floor and any other property with land rights.
In this case, as a land investor, if you do not naturalize, you can only hold and develop the land in cooperation with the Cambodian developer, and the Cambodian must own more than 51%. Some data show that investing in Cambodian real estate, the annual growth rate can reach 10%-20%.
In addition, if you set up a factory in Cambodia, the land required to set up a factory also requires Cambodian nationality to purchase. Cambodia's manufacturing industry is developing rapidly, and the prerequisite for buying land and setting up a factory is also naturalization.
2. Travel freely to ASEAN countries No visa required
Cambodian passport holders can enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival in 54 countries around the world, especially ASEAN countries, without visa. The specific length of stay for ASEAN countries is as follows:
Brunei (14 days) Indonesia (30 days)
Laos (30 days) Malaysia (30 days)
Myanmar (14 days) Philippines (30 days)
Singapore (30 days) Thailand (14 days)
Vietnam (30 days)
3. Cambodia allows multiple nationalities
Cambodia is a country that recognizes multiple nationalities, so after naturalization, you can still retain the nationality of your original country.
However, it should be noted that China does not recognize Chinese citizens as dual nationals. A Chinese citizen who settles in a foreign country voluntarily joins or acquires foreign nationality automatically loses his Chinese nationality.
4. The application time is short, only 3-4 months
5. There are no restrictions on childbirth, no review of the source of funds, and no need to sit in "immigration prison"
Note: "immigration supervision" as the name suggests that when you want to immigrate, some countries limit you to stay in the country of immigration for a certain period of time, just like imprisonment can not leave (short-term can), if you violate the time limit, leave for too long, you can not apply for naturalization or directly lose immigration status, the gain is not worth the loss.
Based on the above benefits, many Chinese have chosen to join Cambodian nationality in recent years, and in 2020~2021, 505 Chinese naturalized Cambodia, and 88 people changed their names after naturalization.
Conditions for naturalization in Cambodia
Cambodia's Nationality Law stipulates that foreigners applying for naturalization must meet the following conditions:
1. A certificate of good conduct and morality of the township or district chief who has the place of residence.
2. Have a certificate of good citizenship that has never committed any criminal offence.
3. Have a certificate of continuous residence in the Kingdom of Cambodia for seven consecutive years and have a domicile in the Kingdom of Cambodia, which is issued by the immigration authority.
4. When applying for naturalization, have a domicile in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
5. Can speak Khmer language, write Khmer and understand some Cambodian history, and have evidence to prove that they can live harmoniously in Cambodian society and accept Cambodian good customs and habits.
6. Good health and will not burden the country.
The way to naturalize in Cambodia
1. Naturalization by investment
The conditions for applying for Cambodian citizenship by investment are as follows:
Foreigners who received legal approval to invest 1.25 billion Cambodian dollars (about $310,000). But $310,000 only qualifies for naturalization, and subsequent naturalization fees will be required!
Moreover, if you are naturalized by investment in Cambodia, the seven-year residence period mentioned above can be waived.
2. Naturalization by donation
A donation of 1 billion Cambodian dollars (approximately US$250,000) to the national budget for the restoration and establishment of the economic benefits of the Kingdom of Cambodia may apply for naturalization if he meets the conditions specified in points 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the aforementioned conditions.
For active and special contributions to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the foreigner may apply for Cambodian citizenship without meeting the condition of "seven consecutive years of residence".
Two foreign fighters like the one mentioned above were invited for naturalization for their special contributions to Cambodia.
3. Naturalization through marriage and naturalization by birth
If one of the parents is Cambodian, the child may be granted Cambodian nationality; Newborns born in Cambodia may acquire Cambodian nationality;
Acquisition of Cambodian nationality through marriage: The applicant and the Cambodian spouse can apply for Cambodian nationality after obtaining a marriage certificate and living together for three years.
Naturalization process
1. Sign and evaluate; (For this item, you can contact an intermediary)
2. Prepare materials;
3. The submission of materials shall be jointly examined and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, the Cambodian Immigration Department and the Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior;
4. Naturalization;
5. Go to Cambodia to take the oath and naturalization.
#柬埔寨 #