Foreign individuals working in Cambodia are required to hold a valid work permit and employment card issued by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT). A valid Cambodian visa with appropriate immigration status is also required. These requirements are separate and both must be satisfied to work lawfully in Cambodia.
Digital Management System (FWCMS)
Since 2023, work permit and employment card applications and renewals are processed through Cambodia’s Foreign Workers Centralized Management System (FWCMS). Applications — including initial applications and annual renewals — are submitted through this online platform. Employers should ensure they are registered on FWCMS and that all foreign employees are enrolled.
Annual Renewal Deadline
Work permits and employment cards must be renewed annually. The standard renewal deadline is March 31 of each year. In 2025, this deadline was extended to May 31, 2025; the applicable deadline for 2026 and subsequent years should be confirmed with MLVT notifications at the beginning of each year.
Who Requires a Work Permit?
Any foreign individual present and working in Cambodia for any period of time is generally required to obtain a work permit. Only a locally-established entity in Cambodia can apply for a work permit on behalf of a foreign worker.
Shareholder and director exemption (Notification No. 110/23, December 2023): Foreign shareholders or board members whose names appear in a company’s constitutional documents may be exempt from the work permit requirement if they do not hold a Cambodian resident visa. However, foreigners whose names appear on a company’s patent-tax certificate may still be treated as employees for quota and work-permit purposes. The application of this exemption depends on the individual’s specific circumstances and should be confirmed with current MLVT guidance.
Sequencing: Work Permit and Work Visa
Under MLVT Notification No. 022/24 (August 12, 2024), newly hired foreign workers are generally required to obtain an initial work permit before applying for a work visa. In practice, however, the initial application for a work permit may still require an initial Cambodian E-class (ordinary) visa as a supporting document. Employers hiring new foreign workers should plan to complete the work-permit process before the initial visa’s standard 30-day stay expires, to avoid a gap in legal status.
Quota Requirements
The Labour Law requires employers to give priority to Cambodian nationals. As a general rule, 90% of an employer’s workforce must be Cambodian nationals. The 10% foreign-worker quota is typically allocated as: 3% office staff, 6% specialized employees, and 1% non-specialized employees. Employers needing more foreign workers with specialized skills may apply to the MLVT for an increased quota. Annual quota requests must be submitted before the end of December each year.
Prerequisites for a Work Permit Application
A work permit application cannot be submitted without the following prerequisites being in place:
- A locally incorporated entity acting as the employer
- Completion of enterprise-opening declaration and personnel declarations with MLVT
- MLVT quota approval for the foreign employee
- Medical examination certificate for the foreign employee
- Valid Cambodian visa or entry status
Each foreign employee’s written employment contract must be registered with the MLVT (for Phnom Penh) or the relevant provincial Department of Labour and Vocational Training (for other provinces).
