This page explains how the Cambodia citizenship by investment route works for South African nationals after the 2025 reforms, and where to confirm the current rules.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Cambodian citizenship by investment is set out in the Law on Nationality and administered through the Ministry of Interior. The route is framed as naturalisation in return for a qualifying investment or donation and is open to most foreign nationals, including South African nationals.
Cambodia permits dual citizenship, so in principle a South African applicant would not be required to give up South African nationality on the Cambodian side. Always confirm both the Cambodian rules and any South African rules that apply to you.
There are two broad routes. One is a qualifying investment into an approved project. The other is a cash donation to the national budget for socioeconomic or humanitarian benefit.
The qualifying amounts were increased under reforms reported to take effect from December 2025. Because the figures changed recently and official confirmation matters, treat any quoted number as indicative until you verify it with the Ministry of Interior.
Processing time for naturalisation under this law depends on due diligence, document readiness and government approval. Confirm the present timeline with the official authority rather than relying on older published estimates.
The qualifying investment or donation, plus government and processing charges, are set by the authority and were revised in 2025. The table lists the headline items at an indicative level only. Confirm every current figure with the official authority before you commit funds.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investment route | Reported at about USD 1 million | Approved project, confirm with the Ministry of Interior |
| Donation route | Reported at about USD 3 million | Cash donation to the national budget, confirm current figure |
| Dual citizenship | Permitted on the Cambodian side | Confirm your own nationality rules separately |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia (Law on Nationality) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Yes. Reforms reported to take effect from December 2025 raised the qualifying amounts. Confirm the binding figures with the Ministry of Interior.
Cambodia permits dual citizenship, so it does not require renunciation on its side. Whether you keep South African nationality is a separate question to confirm with the relevant South African authority.
The Law on Nationality administered by the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia is the governing authority. Verify with that source and a licensed professional.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
We introduce you to vetted, independent advisors, in confidence and at no obligation. Your topic is noted for you below.
Independent and paid by the people we help, never by a government and never by a firm.
One short email when a programme rule changes, with the official source named so you can verify it. No hype, unsubscribe anytime.