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Is it easier for a Cambodian citizen to live in Thailand compared to an American?

Visa Requirements Cambodian Citizens Thai Immigration Living in Thailand NON-O Visa Work Permits Retirement Visa Migrant Worker Scheme

Mar 1, 2024

9 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm curious if it's easier for a person who lives in Cambodia and is a Cambodian citizen from birth, to go to live in Thailand, that it is for an American or any other country?

Are the visa requirements different?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the relative ease of obtaining a visa to live in Thailand for Cambodian citizens compared to Americans. Participants note that while Cambodians may have easier access to certain work permits, long-term residency can still be a challenge without proper employment or marriage ties. Requirements for westerners, such as financial proof for retirement visas, are also outlined. Overall, Cambodians have more pathways due to job opportunities and regional agreements, but complexities remain for long-term stays.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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John *********

Sounds like it is easier to get a Thai girlfriend if you’re in Thailand.

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Bob **********

I’ve had my Khmer girl in Thailand for 11 years it cost a small fortune

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JD *******

There's Alot Of "Knobs" And Substance Abuser's And Like "Pathetic People" On This Site; It's Best To Ignore Them, Cause The So Called "Fact Checkers" Won't "Take Them To Task" But Won't Have Any Problem Sensoring You If You Respond To Them.

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Robert **********

Cambodians can easily get a visa to live and work in Thailand, thousand's of them do, mainly in building trades, cleaning and farming. There is a Cambodian village on Koh Chang, most of them work on building as hospitality staff. There used to be a lot on Koh Samet also.

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Ruth *******

@Robert *********

do you know anything about visa requirements or know how Jim would learn more?

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Robert **********

If you talk to the Thai Ministry of Labour, they did make it a lot easier for nationals from surrounding countries to get visas and work permits. They did have a clean out a couple of years ago because many workers didn't have passports. Many had to go home to their respective countries to get passports before they were permitted to return to work in Thailand. My Cambodian wife's family all work in Thailand and they don't have any problem at the border.

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Robert **********

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Henry *********

Not easy for Cambodians to stay long term, unless they have an employer who can use the migrant worker scheme, but they need to return home when they're work is done.

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Henry *********

If the Cambodian is married to someone with an annual Extension (work/retirement) they can piggyback on this.

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Robert ************

@Henry ********

Is this still the case for retirement? Some are telling me on work visa only.

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Henry *********

@Robert ***********

I believe it is. As long as the spouse has an O visa.

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Robert ************

@Henry ********

Thanks. We'll give it a go and report back.

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Robert ************

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Darren ******

To live here in Thailand, if U want to retire here , U need... as a westerner...

800,000b in a Thai bank 3 months prior to Ur visa app and 2 months after Ur application.. ( this stops agents borrowing u money to by pass this rule ).

U must be over 50.

Or , have an allowance of 65,000b a month incoming.

If married to a Thai U need 400,000b.

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Kace *******

so…if i have my documents showing my u.s. pension of $4000 per month do i need to deposit ANY money into a THAI bank for a security??

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Declan **********

you need an affidavit from the US embassy confirming your income which they do not do anymore. As the embassy does not/will not certify your income anymore you will need to deposit 800k or 400k for the first extension 2 months prior to applying for it, your year 2 extension you can apply for using the 12 months deposit of 65k or 40k so long as you have deposited the minimum amount of 65k or 40k every month and it shows on your bank statement that it is an international transfer.

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Kace *******

@Declan *********

is have a statement from the american veterans department stating my permanent military pension and the monthly amount which is considerably higher than the requirement.

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Declan **********

it may very well be considerably higher than the requiremenr but it is up to the immigration office as to what documentation they will accept and as far as I am aware most if not all will only accept embassy affidavits as proof of month income.

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Declan **********

Best thing I can suggest is talking to the US embassy to see if you can get that letter certified by them and then talking to the immigration office where you will be staying to see if they will accept that as an alternative.

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Declan **********

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Darren ******

U arrive here on a 30 days free visa.

Once here U get a bkk bank acc.

And have Ur pension placed into it.

Then U get a 60 day extension.

This gives U min 2 month for Ur pension to show.

Then U find the docs needed , like residence paper and evidence of Ur pension etc...

Go to Immigration with 1900b and join the que for a retirement visa. Or U pay an agent and sit back till done.

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Kace *******

i live in phnom penh cambodia just around the corner from the thai embassy and brought the documents with me already establishing my pension. but i do have a few glitches on my background from 40 years ago. they all qualify for expungement but i think they will show up anyway. i am hoping i can explain them at the thai embassy here in cambodia. maybe if i get a lawyer and or offer a security deposit. i have had zero trouble for many years now. what do you advise?

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Darren ******

I'm in the same boat with my past and I've been here many years and never once been asked my background.

Ur best option is above , 30 day visa on arrival and an agent to do all for U no questions asked.

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Kace *******

but the fbi background check??? you DID do that and it came out clean or your agent took care of it for you?? and is the retirement visa something done once and then it’s DONE or does it need to be reevaluated yearly? i don’t want to put you on the spot or anything. you can DM me if you choose. but this is crucial to my plans. pohm rahk pra thed thai. excuse my spelling.

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Darren ******

DM sent

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Kace *******

much appreciated Darren

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Kace *******

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Jim *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I see that this was a humorous or stupid question to a couple of people. There's a reason I'm asking this that I can't explain at this time. But thank you for any information someone might be able to give me. It would greatly be appreciated and help me to make some decisions for my future.

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Graham ******

Yes, very different

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Jim *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Graham, could you please explain a little more?

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Graham ******

Cambodians can continually leave and re-enter at land borders for a new entry stamp, no restrictions, no Visa needed. An American can only do this twice in a calendar year without a Visa, this is the main difference.

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Graham ******

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