What is required to get retirement extension in Cambodia?

[BKResort]

Thinking in stay for a while in Cambodia or Laos. I will like to know what are the requirements for retirement, or long stay visa extension in those countries. I am 72 from the US and my Thai wife 47.

[lopburi3]

Believe most just get a normal one year business visa stay - and from reports that is very simple. Suspect there is discussion in the Cambodia forum area. Just be aware medical may require access to facilities in Thailand if anything major.

[elgordo38]

Are Americans allowed to travel to Cambodia??

[Brit_Doggie]

idk but easily obtained business visa in Cambodia but not actually have a going concern others will tell you more.

[jacksam]

Think you will have better luck if you post in visas to other countries. A visa mob there can "arrange" a visa for you

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed.

[ubeturazz]

Americans are welcome in Cambodia. you even get US dollars from the ATM machines.

i have several friends who have moved to Sihanoukville from Thailand. it's kind of like Pattaya 50 years ago.

as mentioned earlier the business visa is your best bet- actually your only bet for staying longer than 30 days.

you must get the business visa on arrival. business visa - 30 days, $25. the extension costs $250 and is good for one year. you can get it at the embassy. easier - the many travel agencies will get it for you for a small fee.

there are no requirements that i know of. i.e. no income or marriage requirements.

have fun.

[jacksam]

Yes to above reply. Plenty of USA , and many other expats in sihanoukivelle. All I meet just say they pay an annual fee for business visa. Most seem to have someone do it for them. Some owned bars some like myself do nothing.

[Scouse123]

hI,

When you first enter the country you must ask and obtain the one month E visa NOT the tourist visa. It is $35 for a UK citizen unsure about USA burt if you want long stay this is a MUST HAVE as you cannot convert a tourist visa to long stay only for another month.

The yearly long stay visa you can get from and via a travel agent and takes four/five days as your passport goes to Phnom Penn. You do not need to go with it.

Here is the name and address of a reliable tourist/travel agent with a good name and good service. I use her. She is based in the town of Siem Reap very near to Maybank or the giant LG store at central market, all tuk tuk drivers know the place.

Sopheak Na travels and tours

Miss Ouch Sopheak

mob: +855 77 40 83 33

mob: +855 97 76 33 882

office : +855 63 96 88 95

e mail: [email protected]

On tep Vong road

Central market building

Opposite Preah Vihear Pharmacy

The one year visa is abourt $295 not $250. There is no need to show money in the bank, there is no 90 day reporting and you can enter and leave the country at will . Latly, if you do not need one year, there are three month and six month visa extensions available at a cheaper price obviously.

[mickba]

hI,

When you first enter the country you must ask and obtain the one month E visa NOT the tourist visa. It is $35 for a UK citizen unsure about USA burt if you want long stay this is a MUST HAVE as you cannot convert a tourist visa to long stay only for another month.

.............................................................................................

Just to be clear, as I understand it, since a year or two ago, the Visa required in order to extend is called an Ordinary (not Business) Visa.

There is no such thing now as a Business Visa as referred to in several posts.

The eVisa facility only offers Tourist Visa (last time I looked) so is irrelevant to this question.

It's not clear, but if the OP is already in Cambodia and came in on a Tourist Visa then he'll have to go back out and come in on an Ordinary Visa.

[Scouse123]

hI,

When you first enter the country you must ask and obtain the one month E visa NOT the tourist visa. It is $35 for a UK citizen unsure about USA burt if you want long stay this is a MUST HAVE as you cannot convert a tourist visa to long stay only for another month.

.............................................................................................

Just to be clear, as I understand it, since a year or two ago, the Visa required in order to extend is called an Ordinary (not Business) Visa.

There is no such thing now as a Business Visa as referred to in several posts.

The eVisa facility only offers Tourist Visa (last time I looked) so is irrelevant to this question.

It's not clear, but if the OP is already in Cambodia and came in on a Tourist Visa then he'll have to go back out and come in on an Ordinary Visa.

We call them E visas as the visa always begins with an E followed by the number which are now called both Ordinary and business visas by the masses as it is the same type of visa you need if you wish to open a business. The straightforward tourist visa starts with a T followed by the number.

These visas are issued at the immigration on check in not to be confused with the online ones.

If he has already entered on a tourist visa, he can extend for another month and as you say if he wishes to stay longer he must go out and re - enter with the above mentioned visas.

[TerryLH]

"...the extension costs $250 and is good for one year. you can get it at the embassy"

At what embassy would that be?

[smotherb]

Are Americans allowed to travel to Cambodia??

Why wouldn't they be???

[Scouse123]

"...the extension costs $250 and is good for one year. you can get it at the embassy"

At what embassy would that be

Yes, as opposed to a one line statement and if you are trying to assist, why don't you state where to obtain this extension, which Embassy, it's location, with either a link and/or contact number for telephone etc etc.

The information you have given is basically zero and no help at all ........"...the extension costs $250 and is good for one year. you can get it at the embassy"

Even the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London only gives information on one month tourist and ordinary/business visas as far as I could see and I looked five minutes ago.

Some information here from a non-Embassy site but useful nevertheless.

http://www.howtogotocambodia.com/visa-for-cambodia/

[jacksam]

Scouse.......thanks for the info. In your opinion would it make any sense to have the visa for Cambodia for someone that say lives in thailand but wishes to visit Cambodia several times a year.

[Scouse123]

Scouse.......thanks for the info. In your opinion would it make any sense to have the visa for Cambodia for someone that say lives in thailand but wishes to visit Cambodia several times a year.

jacksam,

That's what I do!

For a start you never know if you need to leave Thailand quickly if there was a civil problem. Next, after you have the one month followed by the year extension you are good for a year and it's renewable every year. Saves a lot of messing if you are a regular to Cambodia at either the airport or the border post.

For the price of it and if in a persons budget, it's well worth it. No reporting every 90 days, no giving an address, in and out as you please at no extra cost.

[jacksam]

Scouse Wish they had that for Vietnam. Am thinking of more travel in Cambodia. Don't wish to sound a smart a##. But money isn't a problem. To be able to fly into Cambodia and not stuff around with visa on arrival would be great.

[Scouse123]

Yeah,

It won't be long for Vietnam as they are hungry for investment and tourist $$$ and they are well aware as to how much they have been allowing to flow into neighbouring countries.

I am a regular there too, particularly in Hanoi.

[jacksam]

Don't know if it's true , but there are suggestions that AU will be added to 15 days visa exempt as per UK.Would be big winner for me. Also I think Cambodia and Vietnam are losing out. People from many countries can obtain stamp to los. Makes it great 4 week destination

[spambot]

Scouse.......thanks for the info. In your opinion would it make any sense to have the visa for Cambodia for someone that say lives in thailand but wishes to visit Cambodia several times a year.

jacksam,

That's what I do!

For a start you never know if you need to leave Thailand quickly if there was a civil problem. Next, after you have the one month followed by the year extension you are good for a year and it's renewable every year. Saves a lot of messing if you are a regular to Cambodia at either the airport or the border post.

For the price of it and if in a persons budget, it's well worth it. No reporting every 90 days, no giving an address, in and out as you please at no extra cost.

Scouse Wish they had that for Vietnam. Am thinking of more travel in Cambodia. Don't wish to sound a smart a##. But money isn't a problem. To be able to fly into Cambodia and not stuff around with visa on arrival would be great.

Yeah,

It won't be long for Vietnam as they are hungry for investment and tourist $$$ and they are well aware as to how much they have been allowing to flow into neighbouring countries.

I am a regular there too, particularly in Hanoi.

Great question jacksam

Great Answers Scouse123

Its a similar thought process that I have been going through

i.e Thought Process on current Thailand options:

If you go the tourist visa route you are always trying select from the available neighboring countries that might be more flexible - with the amount of back to back single Thailand Tourist visas.

If you opt for the retirement extension you are forced into feeling sometimes like you have a of loss of control when you are following the ever changing rules associated with the 12 month extension applications, 3 month reporting, further reporting and tracking of address and requirement associated with the process of seeding funds for deposits into a Thai Bank.

This way your Visa for 12 months from Cambodia can appear to be the place where you travel from and regard Thailand only as the place where travel to visit and so It kind of feels like this changes the center of gravity.

Obviously you are still restricted by the Visa exempts, single Tourist, extensions you can get in the process.

Start = Tourist Visa 2 months, then extension 1 month, then leave Thailand and get Visa exempt 1 month, extension 1 month (Total 5 months).

Then leave Thailand and Start from begging.

You can possibly complete this same process about 3 times before needing to return home country for the multi entry (yes I should have be quoting days here, but for simplicity I have not done so).

More Importantly:

While the above process does not fundamentally change - However the really important thing here is (and I am assuming this to be the case) because of the 12 months Cambodian visa - both ends think differently about your intent and together with different process - This becomes more simple and less stressful.

1. As you enter Cambodia

There is no tourist visa required since you get unrestricted travel grated by the 12 month Cambodian visa.

2. When you apply for a Thailand tourist visa in Cambodia (or any Thai consulate handling your tourist application)

You are seen as less of a risk for illegal working and more committed to long stay to Cambodia because of the 12 months on the Cambodian business visa - more likely to get back to back tourist entry visas

3. If you enter Thailand on a Visa exempt

The same type of thinking will take place and you will be considered as more likely to be visiting because of the 12 months Cambodian visa.

- Am I being too simple and optimistic here?

Bottom line

For $295 you get increased flexibility, less problematic stressful situations and also a backup insurance for any impossible to follow changes that might occur in Thailand.

Whatever is the actual situation (since I have made some bold assumptions here) - Good posts, Thanks for taking the time.

[Scouse123]

spambot,

Welcome!,glad it may help.

[jacksam]

Spambot don't thank Scouse so much. He has been sitting on gold mind for a long time. Only kidding.

Sometimes I want to give accommodation place a bad review to keep it a secret. When in fact it's a ripper. Seriously though the other neighbouring countries to thailand. Cambodia , Laos etc are (imho) being brain dead. Do the 30 day or even 15 visa exempt and wham bang thailand. You might not be number 1 on hit list. Things already more expensive here by long way.

Mind you I love thailand

[spambot]

Spambot don't thank Scouse so much. He has been sitting on gold mind for a long time. Only kidding.

Sometimes I want to give accommodation place a bad review to keep it a secret. When in fact it's a ripper. Seriously though the other neighbouring countries to thailand. Cambodia , Laos etc are (imho) being brain dead. Do the 30 day or even 15 visa exempt and wham bang thailand. You might not be number 1 on hit list. Things already more expensive here by long way.

Mind you I love thailand

Yup - I agree with those thoughts.

I kind of like HCM, but only just like it in short visits. The other neighbors are somewhat less vital with energy. One of my thoughts are to try sihanoukville wher I have not yet visited and this type of 12 month Visa would make sense if it felt right being there. I am also off to Bali for a week in a few days time to test out the feel and maybe if it works out just take the 6hr flight return to KL every 30 days - Its on the AirAsia main routes flights schedule at low cost currently 900 x 2 = 1,800 THB.

I also love Thailand, but hate the process of the retirement extension and the mini jig needed on Tourist visa's - I know there is no way around this, but using a neighbor country as home base might make sense - And while not spending too long there, but long enough to get aligned and so can rely on somewhere that is more relaxed about long stayers - Buying insurance is the real plan here.

[JD66]

I spent a year in Siem Reap Cambodia. There are two different visas , tourist and business(ordinary). For long term use the latter. But be aware that if you do use the business visa the police and immigration will be knocking on your door.As they did with me and a other ex-pats . Wanting to know why I had a business visa but no business. There were about six officials that came to the hotel I was staying at .High ranking guys with more medals on their uniforms that Patton..lol.And they interrogated me for at least a half hour. And said point blank,''if you have a business visa, then you MUST have a business! ''. And they were not pleasant about it at all, they were hostile and trying to be intimidating and I seriously was ready to be shaken down ... I pointed out , nicely ''if you have a problem with foreigners staying here on a business visa then maybe you should have a talk with all of your travel agents that hand out these extensions like candy. You approve my extension,then you rudely interrogate me? I mean I can see if I was here illegally but my visa was approved by your immigration office in PP''. I also said politely.'' if you don't want me in your country I'll leave but there 's no need to be rude and talk to me as if I'm a criminal''. All was said calmly and politely. The head honcho wanted to know what I was doing here , I told him innocently boosting Cambodias' economy by spending my retirement pension there. I continue,'' but if you want me to leave then I'll go to Thailand and boost their economy instead''.

It's all about money and greed. Cambodia does'nt have a pot to pi$$ in or a window to throw it out of. But now they're getting greedy by hassling foreigners who want to stay long term by forcing them to open a business which in turn they'd have to pay taxes. This is a recent thing . i knew people that stayed there for years on the what was once the ordinary visa . And never had to open a business. It's changing.

[Scouse123]

JD66,

I have been in and out of Cambodia regularly since 2010.

I have the 12 month extension and have never experienced anything you say. I may have been lucky or you very unlucky.

I am going in and out of the country regularly and there is NO NEED WHATSOEVER to have a business alongside an ordinary/business visa. You could be a retiree, you could be a person who is looking for a business but wants a good look around first, without needing to leave the country every thirty days. I have substantial amounts of money invested in the banks in that country which I can show if necessary the funds to support myself. They know they have a problem with retirees and they form a part of the income and economy which they need. Especially, as we are the future potential purchasers of high end condos etc part of the building boom which is going on because the local population by and large, cannot afford them.

They are now trying to address this ' grey area ' of retirees and wealthy people who wish to stay but do not need to work but as yet do not have a visa category for them.

I say the police who came to see you were on a ' shake down ' after money or otherwise did not know the law. As you know well, many of them do not. Also, the usual way of police arriving on your doorstep is because they have been given the information that you are a long stayer by other foreigners wanting to either earn points or get themselves out of the brown stuff!!

The police can hardly stop every tourist walking by in the old market and ask if they have a work permit or yearly visa!!!!

I have also spoken to a number of people including police and those in government departments who have told me if I am not working, I do not need a work permit or a business to run alongside my yearly visa.

They are specifically aiming at those basically ' bumming around ' wanting to stay there working and is the equivalent back home what we call ' casual labour ' which is work without paying any taxes and living under the radar.

For example, the guys offering to do computer repairs, computer lessons,website builders,those trying to run a business online from their room, specialised masseurs and acupuncturists, yoga teachers, oh yes, the lists are endless what these foreign entrepeneurs can come up with to earn a crust!!!.......all of whom think they fall into the ' I am an exception category, no need for a work permit '