Practical information: Obtaining a work permit in Cambodia in 2025

For foreigners wishing to work in Cambodia in 2025, a work permit is mandatory. Cambodian law requires foreign employees to have a work permit in order to be legally employed.

This official document is issued by the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT)

How to obtain a work permit

You must obtain an E-class visa (regular visa or business visa), which is initially valid for 30 days and can be extended for longer stays. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months before applying for the visa.

It is essential to have a job offer from a Cambodian employer, as they will sponsor and facilitate the work permit application. Both the employer and the employee must provide documents.

Employer documents

• Certificate of incorporation with company stamp

• Registered business address

• Tax certificate with company stamp

• List of all foreign and local employees (the ratio must not be less than 1:9)

• Company statutes with the seal of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC)

Applying for a work permit

Employers must submit the work permit application to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT) via the centralized foreign worker management system (FWCMS).

Eligibility criteria

To obtain a work permit in Cambodia, foreign nationals must:

• Hold a valid e-visa

• Have a job offer from a registered Cambodian company

• Be fit to perform the job

• Hold a valid residence permit

• Hold a passport valid for six months

• Not have any communicable diseases

• Be between 18 and 60 years of age (with some exceptions)

• Applicants may be required to provide proof of their qualifications or relevant work experience and undergo a medical examination.

Deadlines and renewal

The work permit is valid for one year, but only until December 31 of the year in which it was issued and must be renewed between January 1 and March 31. Renewals after April 1 may result in penalties. The MLVT has extended the deadline for submitting work permit renewal applications until April 30, 2025. In May 2025, the deadline was postponed to May 31, 2025.

Penalties for non-compliance

Companies that employ foreign workers without work permits are liable to fines imposed by the MLVT of up to KHR 12.6 million (approximately USD 3,150) per foreign worker.

If five or more foreign workers are working without work permits, the fine can be as high as KHR 63 million (approximately USD 15,750). Repeat offenses may result in triple fines. Additional penalties may include imprisonment for six days to one month for anyone who hires or continues to employ a foreigner without a work permit. A foreign national working in Cambodia without a valid work permit is liable to a fine of KHR 50.4 million (approximately USD 12,600).

Where to get help

Several companies in Cambodia specialize in assisting expatriates with formalities such as obtaining work permits and related immigration services. Among the most important are:

Acclime Cambodia: This company provides professional immigration services to help foreign investors and companies recruit foreign staff, guiding them through the work permit application process, including document preparation and submission. It offers a comprehensive service, from obtaining a work visa to a work permit, with an average processing time of 15 to 20 days.

La Paix Partners: This company offers work permit services specifically tailored to foreign investors and companies hiring foreign employees in Cambodia, with a professional immigration team to assist them with the process.

Talentnet Group: This company provides services to expatriates, including managing immigration formalities and obtaining work permits for corporate expatriates, leveraging its experience with Cambodian authorities to facilitate the process.

Express Global Employment: Although not an immigration service per se, this company assists companies deploying expatriates abroad, including obtaining work permits in Cambodia through its Global Employer of Record (EOR) solution, which streamlines recruitment and compliance.

These companies help you meet the necessary requirements, such as obtaining a Class E business visa, preparing documents for the employer and employee, applying through the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training's online system, and ensuring compliance with quotas and regulations applicable to foreign employees.

Using specialized companies reduces administrative burdens and ensures a smoother, more compliant work permit application process for expatriates in Cambodia.

https://www.fwcms.mlvt.gov.kh/