How to Get Cambodia Citizenship
Key facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 7 years
- Language
- Required, no test
- Dual citizenship
- Accepted
- Civic test
- Required, no test specified
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Accepted in both directionsNew citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship.Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship.
- Available routes
- Region
- Asia
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. A November 2026 search found no later change for this country, but this has not been verified.
Naturalisation (residence)
This route covers foreign residents who seek citizenship after living in Cambodia, subject to the conditions below. Cambodia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
- Residence
- 7 years
Person is resident in Cambodia and has been continuously resident there for 7 years from the moment s/he received a residence card.
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Language
- Required, no test or certificate specified
Ability to speak the Khmer language
- Civic knowledge
- Required, no test specified
Knowledge of Khmer script and history, evidence that person can integrate into Khmer society.
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Good morals, clean criminal record
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Physical and mental health so as not to become a danger or burden to society.
Marriage or civil partnership
This route covers people married to a citizen of Cambodia, subject to the conditions below. Cambodia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
Person has been the spouse of a citizen, with common household, for 3 years and has resided in Cambodia for at least 12 months. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation (except residence requirements).
Descent (citizen parent)
Descent from a citizen parent is the basis of this route in Cambodia. No authority decides this matter, since citizenship follows directly from the law of Cambodia.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in Cambodia to a citizen.
Descent (born abroad)
Person is born abroad to a citizen.
Birth in the country
For people born in Cambodia, the rules below show when birth there leads to citizenship.
Birth in country (two generations)
Person is born in Cambodia to a mother and father who were also born there and who are legally resident there.
Birth in country (acquisition after birth)
Person is born in Cambodia and has been continuously resident there for 3 years. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Child of a new citizen
For children whose parent becomes a citizen of Cambodia, the rules below set out what applies. Cambodia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
Person is a minor whose parent includes the child in his/her naturalisation application.
Adoption
Adoption by a citizen of Cambodia is the basis of this route. No authority decides this matter, since citizenship follows directly from the law of Cambodia.
Person is adopted by a citizen through full adoption.
Other family members of citizens
For certain relatives of citizens, former citizens or new citizens of Cambodia, the rules below set out what applies. Cambodia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
Transfer to other relatives
Person is the parent of a minor child who is a citizen.
Spousal coacquisition
Person is the spouse of someone who includes the person in his/her naturalisation application.
Stateless persons
This route covers stateless people and children who would otherwise be stateless, subject to the conditions below. No authority decides this matter, since citizenship follows directly from the law of Cambodia.
Person is born in Cambodia of unknown parentage or is a newborn found in Cambodia.
Special achievements
Special achievements, or a national interest in granting citizenship, are the basis of this route in Cambodia. Cambodia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
Person has special merits or achievements that serve the interest of Cambodia. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation (except residence condition and language requirement).
Investment
This route concerns people who make a qualifying investment or contribution in Cambodia, subject to the conditions below. Cambodia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
Person has made an authorized investment and has legally resided in Cambodia for 12 months. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation (except residence condition).
Person has made a donation to the national budget or the humanitarian sector and has legally resided in Cambodia for 6 months. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation (except residence condition and language requirement).
Not available in Cambodia: Former citizens (reacquisition), Citizens of specific countries, Ethnic or cultural affinity, Residence during childhood, Very long residence, Refugees, Public or military service. This follows the GLOBALCIT coding, with in-force changes applied.
Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is accepted in Cambodia for new citizens and for citizens who naturalise abroad.
- New citizens
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship
Compare with neighbours
Under the law of Cambodia, 7 years applies, which is shorter than the usual 10 years seen in South-eastern Asia.
Check where Cambodia sits in the full residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Indonesia | 5 years | Required, no test | Not accepted |
 Laos | 10 years | Required, no test | Citizens abroad only |
 Malaysia | 10 years | Required, no test | New citizens only |
 Philippines | 10 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Thailand | 5 years | Required, no test | New citizens only |
 Vietnam | 5 years | Required, no test | Citizens abroad only |
Official sources
This page was located by search and has not yet been checked by our team.
Naturalisation provisions: Nationality law: Art. 18, 19.
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get Cambodia Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/cambodia/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/cambodia/">How to Get Cambodia Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become a Cambodian citizen?
The nationality law of Cambodia sets 7 years of residence for ordinary naturalisation, along with further conditions.
Does Cambodia allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Cambodia accepts dual citizenship in both directions, as coded in the data.
Do I need a language test for Cambodian citizenship?
The law of Cambodia mentions a language requirement without pointing to a specific exam.
Is there a civic knowledge test for Cambodian citizenship?
Applicants are expected to have civic knowledge, though Cambodia sets out no particular test.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get Cambodian citizenship?
Cambodia does not require you to give up your current citizenship for Cambodian citizenship. The law of your current country may have its own rules on this.
Can I get Cambodia citizenship by marriage?
Yes. Marriage to a citizen is a route to citizenship in Cambodia. Procedure: discretionary.
Can I get Cambodia citizenship by descent?
Yes, Cambodia has a descent route. Procedure: automatic.
Can I get Cambodia citizenship by investment?
Yes, the data codes an investment route for Cambodia. Check the current programme terms with the official authority.
Related pages
Also see: Cambodia passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.