Cambodia Sets New Work Permit Rules for Foreign Employees

On December 28, 2023, Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT) issued Notification No. 110/23 on the issuance of work permits for foreign employees, in accordance with the country’s Labor Law and Prakas 195 dated August 20, 2014, on work permits and employment cards for foreign employees. This is a more comprehensive notification than existed previously, as it specifically clarifies the parties that are required to apply for work permits and employment cards.

Notification No. 110/23 specifies that the following types of foreign individuals must hold a valid foreign work permit and/or employment card in order to work in Cambodia:

• A foreign employer whose name is stated in an enterprise’s patent tax certificate must hold a foreign work permit.
• A foreign employee whose name is stated in an enterprise’s patent tax certificate must hold a foreign work permit and an employment card.
• Self-employed individuals must hold a foreign work permit and an employment card.

Applications for work permits and employment cards can be submitted through the MLVT’s online portal, accompanied by the following required documents:

• Valid passport;
• Latest patent tax certificate;
• Physical examination form; and
• Photo (4×6 cm)

However, foreign shareholders and members of the board of directors as defined in the company’s articles of incorporation who do not have a Cambodian resident visa are not required to obtain a work permit or employment card.

By Tilleke & Gibbins, Cambodia, a Transatlantic Law International Affiliated Firm.

For more information on this topic, please contact cambodia@transatlanticlaw.com

Disclaimer: Transatlantic Law International Limited is a UK registered limited liability company providing international business and legal solutions through its own resources and the expertise of over 105 affiliated independent law firms in over 95 countries worldwide. This article is for background information only and provided in the context of the applicable law when published and does not constitute legal advice and cannot be relied on as such for any matter. Legal advice may be provided subject to the retention of Transatlantic Law International Limited’s services and its governing terms and conditions of service. Transatlantic Law International Limited, based at 42 Brook Street, London W1K 5DB, United Kingdom, is registered with Companies House, Reg Nr. 361484, with its registered address at 83 Cambridge Street, London SW1V 4PS, United Kingdom.