½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

You can bring in up to $10,000 into Cambodia if you declare it.

Then put it in your Cambodian bank account.

Cheers

Joe

Spoke to a friend today about bank transfers out of Thai bank account and sent abroad, it's all but impossible but he thinks it can be done but costs a fortune, I'm not convinced where there's a will there's a way, I had a hell of a job even opening a Thai bank account the way I did it was to open an account in my name spelt in Thai, good luck.

Read my earlier post.

Take $10,000 with you (and declare it)  each time you enter Cambodia.  For free!

Cheers

Joe

Hi Joe, that's really good, declare is the way then, it used to be a max of 7,000 pounds leaving the UK, 10,000 US into Cambodia solves problems, you can withdraw as much as you like from a Thai bank in one go no problem. Cheers Dave.

Hello, Joe,

Thank you for your contribution I just read.
Yes,  you are correct.
Later yesterday, I have also noticed that the proposed requirement of private health care thing only applies to those who apply for OA retirement visa at Thai Embassy.

And those who stay in Thailand on the ground of retirement can stay out of it.
Due to the recent rule change of the THB800000 deposit; half of the amount to be kept year round.
Half amount means THB400000 for the medical emergency.

Wish to keep in touch.

J.M.

Sounds a bit scary declaring your carrying 10,000 dollars in cash to an immigration officer who's probably only earning a few dollars a day

You really think a customs officer (that's the one who gets your declaration of foreign currency) will rob you?
You've seen too many movies, real life is a tad different.

On top you don't have to declare it. Take less money and declare nothing. The only reason to declare it is that you can take out also the same amount of foreign currency as you brought in.

Relax, this is Cambodia, a very relaxed country with lovely people.

Cheers

Joe

jack mcnab wrote:

Hello, Joe,

Thank you for your contribution I just read.
Yes,  you are correct.
Later yesterday, I have also noticed that the proposed requirement of private health care thing only applies to those who apply for OA retirement visa at Thai Embassy.

And those who stay in Thailand on the ground of retirement can stay out of it.
Due to the recent rule change of the THB800000 deposit; half of the amount to be kept year round.
Half amount means THB400000 for the medical emergency.

Wish to keep in touch.

J.M.

It applies to people that go for a Non Imm O-A visa at a Thai embassy.
Those that live on an extension of stay, whether based on retirement or marriage, get their extension in country and are not part of the new rules re health insurance.

The new regulations re money in the bank are implemented by Immigration, and only apply to those that wish to show a certain amount in a Thai bank. It is 800,000 baht for retirees and 400,000 baht for married expats.

It has nothing to do with health insurance but it is clear that in any emergency those expats have some extra money.

Cheers

Joe

Maybe I been in too many real life situations

You need to be 55 years old, have a valid passport for minimum of 6 months, and an address in Cambodia. You can only apply once you are in Cambodia. No other requirements up to now, no proof of income either, no bank balance.
You will have to enter the country on a regular visa (not a visa on arrival).
You can renew that visa for 1 month then apply for a retirement visa for 3, 6 or 12 months. Cost for 1 year is more or less $290.
Once you are in Cambodia, look for a reliable tour operator that will take care of the paperwork for you. You will have to give the agent you passport so make sure it is a reliable agent/business.
Once you have your retirement visa,  you may volunteer but not work for a salary. However, you may exchange your retirement visa for a business visa or employee visa later on if your situation changes.
So far, you may renew your visa every year if you have chosen a year visa.

Myriam H wrote:

You need to be 55 years old, have a valid passport for minimum of 6 months, and an address in Cambodia. You can only apply once you are in Cambodia. No other requirements up to now, no proof of income either, no bank balance.
You will have to enter the country on a regular visa (not a visa on arrival).
You can renew that visa for 1 month then apply for a retirement visa for 3, 6 or 12 months. Cost for 1 year is more or less $290.
Once you are in Cambodia, look for a reliable tour operator that will take care of the paperwork for you. You will have to give the agent you passport so make sure it is a reliable agent/business.
Once you have your retirement visa,  you may volunteer but not work for a salary. However, you may exchange your retirement visa for a business visa or employee visa later on if your situation changes.
So far, you may renew your visa every year if you have chosen a year visa.

Unfortunately some info is totally wrong.

"You need to be 55 years old". Not at all. 55 and above don't need to prove their retirement status.
Under 55 one has to proof one is retired (disabled as example) or have enough funds coming in from abroad to be able to support oneself.

"You will have to enter the country on a regular visa (not a visa on arrival).
You can renew that visa for 1 month then apply for a retirement visa"
Wrong again. You need to come in on an Ordinary visa on arrival which can not be extended for one month.
After one week in the country you can apply for any of the E extensions of stay, EB (business) ER (retirement), ES (student) and EG (general). The last one only 6 months maximum for job seekers.

"Once you have your retirement visa,  you may volunteer but not work for a salary"
ANY work on a retirement extension is forbidden, whether paid or not.

Please if you are not 100% informed about regulations, don't write about it, you confuse other people that are looking for correct answers.

Thanks.

Joe
Cambodia expert
½ûÂþÌìÌà team

HI Myriam, thanks for the tip I'm 57 yrs young.

I deleted that post so I don't understand why I get response on it.

We've just gone through the process as you well know.
I still had to be 55 or older, so I don't see what is wrong with that.
I'd have to check their embassy page about volunteering again. In my research abroad last year, I read that volunteering was OK in Cambodia, in fact some local NGOs ask for retired people to volunteer their time. So thanks for pointing that out.
Indeed it is our VOA that we renewed, not the regular visa. So thanks for straightening that out too.

I deleted my reply because that is such an old post.

You're in the age bracket for the visa but please read Joe Khmer's reply about some of my info as it is not 100% accurate.
What is accurate though is that you will need a local address and a valid passport.
What is also accurate is that so far the government has no financial requirements to retire in Cambodia.
Also accurate is that you have to enter on a regular visa, the VOA or visa on arrival will not do it.
Thank goodness I got those 4 points correct, phew. 

Myriam H wrote:

You're in the age bracket for the visa but please read Joe Khmer's reply about some of my info as it is not 100% accurate.
What is accurate though is that you will need a local address and a valid passport.
What is also accurate is that so far the government has no financial requirements to retire in Cambodia.
Also accurate is that you have to enter on a regular visa, the VOA or visa on arrival will not do it.
Thank goodness I got those 4 points correct, phew. 

Instead of saying sorry for confusing people you keep insisting on your post, that is not deleted as you state but it's still there.

1. "We had to be 55". No. You were over 55 so no proof of retirement needed. That doesn't mean you HAVE to be 55 or older. Under 55 can get a retirement extension of stay as well, but they have to prove their retirement status.
I know personally 2 people of under 50 that are on a retirement extension.

2. There is no such thing as a regular visa to come in. Only 2 visa kinds are available on arrival, the tourist visa, extendable for one month and not suitable to get any of the E extensions. And the Ordinary visa, that can be used to extend to one of the E extensions.
Both visas are visas on arrival, you get them at the airport where you enter or at the land crossing.

So to say it short:
1. Enter on a Ordinary visa and extend it after a week (processing takes about 2 weeks) for the suitable E extension of stay.
2. Whether you are older than 55 or not, you can get a retirement visa under conditions.

Let's all try to give newcomers correct information, that's why they search here on ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ.

Regards

Joe

hi , i tried to get a retirement visa at a reputable agent in siem reap at age 51 in jan 19 and i was told i could not get one until i was 55 , just said i can only apply for up to 6 month ,looking for work type visa . i told him i did not need to look for work but insisted that was all i could get . if you can recommend an agent where i can get one at 51 , it would be very helpful . thanks in advance

Hi.

At your age it's up to you to convince immigration that you are entitled to a retirement extension of stay.

That could be on grounds of disability,  a letter from your last employer that you are retired and receive funds from abroad.

Or if you have sufficient funds to support yourself you can try to convince immigration.

I have a friend of 51 who got his retirement extension last year,  based on a letter from his last employer.  So things are possible.

Good luck.

Joe

So your saying don't use an agent and go direct to phnom Penh immigration office.

I didn't say that.

I explained the possibilities.

If you have everything prepared you can use a reliable and knowledgeable agent.

I know such an agent in PP  but not in SR.

Cheers

Joe

I and my husband used the agent located at Garden Village Guesthouse, off Sok San in SR.
They're very reliable but of course we are older so there was no problem getting our retirees visa.

If you can provide some form of proof that you either get retirement money or as Joe Khmer said a letter from your last employer, maybe the agent can take that to the immigration office and arrange your visa for you, if he is willing.
It is possible, it is feasible, the agent might want some money above the regular fees in return though.

Good luck.

It's fine saying find a trustworthy reputable agent, like who?????

Ask those who know!

@David Cooke
David where are you located?

Would you by chance know the cost of a 6 month ER Visa?

Around $160.

Cheers

Joe

Once again I went to my usual guy just a travel agent by Kandal market gave him 285$ got my visa for one year retirement, back in three days no questions about income , no questions at all , some people names not mentioned don’t get what jo and I and countless others have said , it’s who you know my agent must know someone, because he never asked me any questions, as jo said before spend a hour or two and go to a few agents there are visa services at every guesthouse and almost every block , so no shortage of places to inquire, I keep getting back to that happy attitude as you go into these places , you can be kind and respectful, and usually have a positive effect on any outcome in the whole country!  No matter what the issue the Khmer people as well as most any other country respond well to kindness and respect! This is my 5th year here so if your here longer and you can’t get good service it’s your attitude, that’s the problem