The Law on Nationality of Cambodia (Cambodian Citizenship) determines who is a citizen of Cambodia under a 1996 nationality law. [1] Cambodian citizenship is typically acquired through ancestry (being born to at least one Khmer parent) or naturalization. [2] Citizenship can also be applied through business investments and donations. [2] Dual nationality is permitted, although dual nationals may be viewed as Cambodian citizens in court proceedings. [1]
Controversies
Dual citizenship
In 2019, Reuters published an investigation that disclosed at least 8 relatives and high-ranking associates of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, including Lau Meng Khin, Choeung Sopheap, Neth Savoeun, and Aun Pornmoniroth, had acquired Cypriot citizenship through an investment scheme. [3] [4] In response, Cypriot opposition parties demanded an investigation. [3] The program was disbanded in 2020. In October 2021, the Parliament of Cambodia passed constitutional amendments that ban the prime minister and presidents of the National Assembly, Senate , and Constitutional Council from being citizens of other countries. [5] [6] The law was enacted in November 2021. [7]
Type of Application of Citizenship
Cambodia's nationality laws enable foreigners to apply Cambodian citizenship through business investments or donations to the Cambodian government's national budget. [8] [2] This pathway has enabled qualified foreigners, including Angelina Jolie, to acquire Cambodian citizenship. [9] [10]
Refer to Khmer Mekong Law Group articles, there are different types of applications for Cambodian citizenship:
- By Birth: If at least one of your parents is Cambodian, you're automatically a citizen. It doesn't matter where you were born.
- By Investment: This one's a bit unusual. If you invest a big sum of money in Cambodia, you can become a citizen faster. It's not just about the money, though. You need to meet some other requirements, like being healthy and having a valid passport.
- By Marriage: If you marry a Cambodian citizen and your marriage lasts at least three years, you can become a citizen too. But you have to go through some legal steps.
How to Get Cambodian Citizenship
Khmer Mekong Law Group [11]mentioned that Foreigners can apply for Cambodian citizenship by naturalization, this is according to Article 7 of the Law on Nationality of Cambodia. The same law explains that naturalization is not the right of the applicant, it is only the Kingdom of Cambodia's favor to decide on the acceptance of any foreigner as a Khmer nationality. In either case, the application may be rejected by discretion. Article 8 stipulates that foreigners who can apply for naturalization must meet the following conditions: [12]
- Must have a certificate of good manners and ethics issued by the commune chief or commune chief of his / her residence.
- Must have a letter of conviction stating that he has never been convicted of any crime
- Must have a certificate stating that the person resides in the Kingdom of Cambodia and resides for 7 years from the date the residence permit is issued. Within the framework of the Immigration Law. If you are an investor or a donator, read the note below.
- Must be a resident of the Kingdom of Cambodia at the time of applying for naturalization.
- Must speak the Khmer language, know Khmer script, understand some Khmer history, and show clear evidence that he can live in Khmer society harmoniously Both get good traditions and customs of Khmer
- Must have intelligence and physical fitness that does not lead to danger or burden the nation.
Disclaimer *
The information provided on the Wikipedia or Khmer Mekong Law Group website is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any specific matter. For detailed and comprehensive legal advice tailored to your circumstances, we recommend contacting the legal consultant or lawyer directly. Please note that this webpage may include links to external websites, and external websites may link to the Wikipedia or Khmer Mekong Law Group website. However, Wikipedia or Khmer Mekong Law Group is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external sites. We hereby disclaim all liability, whether direct or indirect, arising from the content or operation of any external websites linked to or from the Khmer Mekong Law Group website.
References
- ^ a b "Cambodia International Travel Information". travel.state.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ a b c "Explainer: Cambodian citizenship by investment - The 2022 Guide". Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ a b "Cyprus to probe how Cambodian elite obtained EU passports". Reuters. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "How relatives and allies of Cambodia's leader amassed wealth overseas". Reuters. 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Cambodia passes law barring dual citizenship for holders of top posts". Reuters. 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Cambodia Considers Dual Citizenship Ban for High Office Holders". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ Dara, Voun. "King promulgates 'dual citizen' ban for top posts". www.phnompenhpost.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Pros and cons of selling Khmer citizenship". www.phnompenhpost.com. 1996-08-09. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ AsiaNews.it. "Casino tycoon arrested as human trafficking casts shadow on the 'new silk road'". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Chinese Criminals With Cambodian Citizenship Will Be Targeted In New Campaign ⋆ Cambodia News English". Cambodia News English. 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "𝗞𝗛𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗞𝗢𝗡𝗚". www.kmklaws.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "𝗞𝗛𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗞𝗢𝗡𝗚 - How To Obtain Cambodian Citizenship". www.kmklaws.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
The Law on Nationality of Cambodia (Cambodian Citizenship) determines who is a citizen of Cambodia under a 1996 nationality law. [1] Cambodian citizenship is typically acquired through ancestry (being born to at least one Khmer parent) or naturalization. [2] Citizenship can also be applied through business investments and donations. [2] Dual nationality is permitted, although dual nationals may be viewed as Cambodian citizens in court proceedings. [1]
Controversies
Dual citizenship
In 2019, Reuters published an investigation that disclosed at least 8 relatives and high-ranking associates of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, including Lau Meng Khin, Choeung Sopheap, Neth Savoeun, and Aun Pornmoniroth, had acquired Cypriot citizenship through an investment scheme. [3] [4] In response, Cypriot opposition parties demanded an investigation. [3] The program was disbanded in 2020. In October 2021, the Parliament of Cambodia passed constitutional amendments that ban the prime minister and presidents of the National Assembly, Senate , and Constitutional Council from being citizens of other countries. [5] [6] The law was enacted in November 2021. [7]
Type of Application of Citizenship
Cambodia's nationality laws enable foreigners to apply Cambodian citizenship through business investments or donations to the Cambodian government's national budget. [8] [2] This pathway has enabled qualified foreigners, including Angelina Jolie, to acquire Cambodian citizenship. [9] [10]
Refer to Khmer Mekong Law Group articles, there are different types of applications for Cambodian citizenship:
- By Birth: If at least one of your parents is Cambodian, you're automatically a citizen. It doesn't matter where you were born.
- By Investment: This one's a bit unusual. If you invest a big sum of money in Cambodia, you can become a citizen faster. It's not just about the money, though. You need to meet some other requirements, like being healthy and having a valid passport.
- By Marriage: If you marry a Cambodian citizen and your marriage lasts at least three years, you can become a citizen too. But you have to go through some legal steps.
How to Get Cambodian Citizenship
Khmer Mekong Law Group [11]mentioned that Foreigners can apply for Cambodian citizenship by naturalization, this is according to Article 7 of the Law on Nationality of Cambodia. The same law explains that naturalization is not the right of the applicant, it is only the Kingdom of Cambodia's favor to decide on the acceptance of any foreigner as a Khmer nationality. In either case, the application may be rejected by discretion. Article 8 stipulates that foreigners who can apply for naturalization must meet the following conditions: [12]
- Must have a certificate of good manners and ethics issued by the commune chief or commune chief of his / her residence.
- Must have a letter of conviction stating that he has never been convicted of any crime
- Must have a certificate stating that the person resides in the Kingdom of Cambodia and resides for 7 years from the date the residence permit is issued. Within the framework of the Immigration Law. If you are an investor or a donator, read the note below.
- Must be a resident of the Kingdom of Cambodia at the time of applying for naturalization.
- Must speak the Khmer language, know Khmer script, understand some Khmer history, and show clear evidence that he can live in Khmer society harmoniously Both get good traditions and customs of Khmer
- Must have intelligence and physical fitness that does not lead to danger or burden the nation.
Disclaimer *
The information provided on the Wikipedia or Khmer Mekong Law Group website is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any specific matter. For detailed and comprehensive legal advice tailored to your circumstances, we recommend contacting the legal consultant or lawyer directly. Please note that this webpage may include links to external websites, and external websites may link to the Wikipedia or Khmer Mekong Law Group website. However, Wikipedia or Khmer Mekong Law Group is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external sites. We hereby disclaim all liability, whether direct or indirect, arising from the content or operation of any external websites linked to or from the Khmer Mekong Law Group website.
References
- ^ a b "Cambodia International Travel Information". travel.state.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ a b c "Explainer: Cambodian citizenship by investment - The 2022 Guide". Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ a b "Cyprus to probe how Cambodian elite obtained EU passports". Reuters. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "How relatives and allies of Cambodia's leader amassed wealth overseas". Reuters. 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Cambodia passes law barring dual citizenship for holders of top posts". Reuters. 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Cambodia Considers Dual Citizenship Ban for High Office Holders". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ Dara, Voun. "King promulgates 'dual citizen' ban for top posts". www.phnompenhpost.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Pros and cons of selling Khmer citizenship". www.phnompenhpost.com. 1996-08-09. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ AsiaNews.it. "Casino tycoon arrested as human trafficking casts shadow on the 'new silk road'". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Chinese Criminals With Cambodian Citizenship Will Be Targeted In New Campaign ⋆ Cambodia News English". Cambodia News English. 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "𝗞𝗛𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗞𝗢𝗡𝗚". www.kmklaws.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "𝗞𝗛𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗞𝗢𝗡𝗚 - How To Obtain Cambodian Citizenship". www.kmklaws.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
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