Updated July 2026
Quick answer: Foreign investors can register a 100%-foreign-owned company in Cambodia entirely online through the Ministry of Commerce Single Portal (registrationservices.gov.kh). The portal combines company registration, tax (GDT) registration and Ministry of Labour declaration in one application; straightforward cases are typically approved in about 8 working days, and the minimum registered capital for a private limited company is only KHR 4 million (≈ US$1,000).
Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure
Most foreign manufacturers register a Private Limited Company — it allows 100% foreign ownership, limits liability to registered capital, and needs only one shareholder and one director. Other available forms:
- Private Limited Company — the default choice for factories and trading companies
- Public Limited Company — for businesses that will issue shares publicly
- Branch Office — extension of a foreign parent; parent bears liability
- Representative Office — market research and liaison only, no revenue-generating activity
- Sole Proprietorship / Partnership — rarely used by foreign investors
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
For a private limited company you will need: passport copies of shareholders and directors, a registered office address in Cambodia (lease agreement), the company name in Khmer and English, articles of incorporation, and photographs of signatories. No minimum capital deposit certificate is required at filing, and there is no Cambodian-shareholder requirement.
Step 3: Register Online via the Single Portal
Since 2020, registration runs through the CamDX-based Single Portal, which files your application simultaneously with:
- Ministry of Commerce — certificate of incorporation and business registration
- General Department of Taxation — tax registration (TIN and patent tax)
- Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training — enterprise declaration
Government fees are paid once through the portal, and approvals typically arrive within about 8 working days for a standard application.
Step 4: Complete Post-Registration Obligations
- Open a corporate bank account in Cambodia and inject registered capital
- Register employees with the NSSF (National Social Security Fund)
- Obtain sector-specific licenses where applicable (factory permit from the Ministry of Industry for manufacturing operations)
- File monthly and annual tax returns — see our Cambodia Tax Guide for rates and obligations
Step 5 (For Manufacturers): Apply for QIP Status
If you are building a factory, register your project as a Qualified Investment Project (QIP) with the Council for the Development of Cambodia. QIP status unlocks a 3–9 year income tax exemption and duty-free import of machinery and construction materials — and since 2026 the QIP application also runs online.
Investors locating inside a special economic zone can complete company registration, QIP application and permits through the zone’s one-stop service. See our complete guide to Cambodia’s SEZs, or contact MSEZ for end-to-end setup support in Bavet.
Capital and Currency Rules
The general minimum registered capital is KHR 4 million (≈ US$1,000); certain regulated sectors require more. Cambodia is one of Asia’s most dollarized economies with no foreign-exchange controls on ordinary business remittances — profits and capital can be repatriated through authorized banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Cambodian company?
Yes. Cambodia allows 100% foreign ownership in almost all sectors, including manufacturing. The main exception is land, which only Cambodian entities can own — foreign investors use long-term leases instead, such as land leases inside SEZs.
How long does business registration take in Cambodia?
About 8 working days through the online Single Portal for a standard private limited company, plus time for bank account opening and any sector licenses. Inside an SEZ with one-stop service, end-to-end setup is commonly completed within a few weeks.
How much does it cost to register a company in Cambodia?
Government fees for incorporation, tax registration and patent tax are paid once through the Single Portal and generally total a few hundred US dollars for a private limited company, before professional service fees.
Do I need a Cambodian director or shareholder?
No. Both shareholders and directors can be foreign nationals; a registered local address is required.
What is the difference between company registration and QIP?
Company registration creates the legal entity; QIP is an additional investment-incentive status for qualifying projects that grants tax holidays and duty exemptions. Manufacturers typically do both.
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