Updated: August 2026
Yes. Foreigners can open bank accounts in Cambodia, although the requirements vary from one bank to another. Several Cambodian banks specifically publish account-opening requirements for foreign nationals, expatriates, residents and, in some cases, non-residents. Depending on the bank, you may need more than simply a passport and Cambodian visa.
Your length of stay in Cambodia, employment status, proof of address and type of visa can all affect the documents a bank asks you to provide.
This guide explains what foreigners should expect when opening a personal bank account in Cambodia.
What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Open a Bank Account in Cambodia?
There is no single set of requirements used by every Cambodian bank.
However, based on the requirements currently published by several banks, foreign applicants may be asked to provide some combination of:
- A valid passport
- A valid Cambodian visa
- Proof of residence in Cambodia
- A rental or lease agreement
- A certificate of residential address
- An employment contract or employment certificate
- A work permit
- Proof of business ownership if self-employed
- Information about occupation and source of funds
- A Cambodian or other contact phone number, email address or other contact details
The exact requirements depend on the bank and account being opened.
For this reason, foreigners should check the requirements of their chosen bank before visiting a branch.
Bank Account Requirements for Foreigners: Some Examples
The following examples are based on information currently published by the banks themselves.
ABA Bank
ABA Bank explicitly allows foreigners aged 18 and above to apply for a Savings Account.
For foreign applicants, ABA currently requires an original valid passport and a valid Cambodian visa. The bank states that any visa type approved by the Cambodian government is acceptable, but the applicant must also provide documentation supporting their residency status.
ABA lists several ways to demonstrate this status. These include:
- A visa valid for six months or longer
- Consecutive visas with a combined period of at least six months or 182 days
- A house rental or lease agreement of at least six months
- A certificate of residential address
- A hotel lease or bill covering at least six months
- Evidence of employment covering at least six months
- Proof of business ownership for a self-employed applicant
ABA states that applicants must meet its outlined requirements before an account can be opened.
ACLEDA Bank
ACLEDA Bank also publishes specific requirements for foreigners.
Foreign customers must have a passport valid for at least three months. ACLEDA also asks for supporting documentation such as a Cambodian residential document certified by a local authority, certification of employment, an employment contract, a business agreement with a Cambodian partner, or a mission document. Contact information such as a phone number, fax number or email address is also required.
ACLEDA states that its deposit services are available to legally eligible individuals aged 18 and above.
An unusual feature of ACLEDA is that it also publishes a procedure for people living abroad to open an account from overseas. This process requires an account-opening application, passport documentation and certification by a notary or other recognised authority, together with additional verification specified by the bank.
Canadia Bank
Canadia Bank’s Savings Account requirements also specifically address foreign customers.
Foreign applicants must be at least 18 years old and present an original valid passport with a valid visa. Canadia states that proof of residence in Cambodia is required if the person is physically present in Cambodia for more than 182 days during the calendar year.
The bank lists acceptable supporting documents including:
- House rental contract
- Certificate of residential address from an authority
- Hotel lease or bill
- Employment contract
- Certificate of employment
- Business licence or certificate for a self-employed applicant
Canadia’s published Savings Account conditions also distinguish between resident and non-resident customers for some minimum ongoing balances and fees.
Sathapana Bank
Sathapana Bank explicitly states that its Smart Savings Account is available to individuals aged 18 and above who are either resident or non-resident.
Its published requirements include a valid national identification card or valid passport, a completed application form, and other documents if necessary.
For other Sathapana deposit products, the bank may also request information about the applicant’s occupation and source of funds.
J Trust Royal Bank
J Trust Royal also publishes specific requirements for foreign applicants for some of its deposit products.
For its The One account, the bank lists a passport and work permit as required documentation for foreigners. The account currently has a published minimum initial deposit of USD 1 or KHR 4,000.
This is a good example of why foreigners should check individual bank requirements rather than assuming that the documents accepted by one Cambodian bank will automatically be accepted by another.
Do You Need to Be a Resident of Cambodia?
Not necessarily in every case.
Some Cambodian banks distinguish between residents and non-residents.
For example, Sathapana Bank explicitly states that its Smart Savings Account can be opened by both resident and non-resident individuals.
Canadia Bank also publishes different conditions for resident and non-resident customers on its Savings Account page.
Other banks have more extensive residency-document requirements. ABA, for example, asks foreign applicants for documentation demonstrating residency status in addition to a valid passport and visa.
Therefore, being a foreigner does not automatically prevent you from opening a bank account in Cambodia, but your residency situation can determine which bank accounts are available to you and which documents you need to provide.
Can a Tourist Open a Bank Account in Cambodia?
Visitors should not assume that a passport and short-term visa alone will be sufficient at every Cambodian bank.
ABA, for example, accepts different Cambodian visa types but separately requires qualifying documentation supporting residency status.
At the same time, Sathapana explicitly identifies its Smart Savings Account as being available to resident and non-resident individuals.
The practical answer therefore depends on the bank, the account and the applicant’s circumstances.
If you are in Cambodia only temporarily, it is advisable to check directly with the bank before visiting a branch.
Can You Open a Cambodian Bank Account From Overseas?
At least one Cambodian bank currently publishes a procedure for doing so.
ACLEDA Bank states that individuals living abroad can open, operate and close an account from overseas.
The process is more involved than opening an account at a branch in Cambodia. ACLEDA requires application and identification documents to be appropriately certified. Depending on the circumstances, certification can involve a notary public, an embassy or representative office, or verification through an intermediary bank using SWIFT. Documents sent for overseas account opening must also be officially translated into English where required by the bank’s procedure.
This should not be taken to mean that all Cambodian banks offer remote account opening to foreign customers.
Are Bank Account Requirements the Same for Every Foreigner?
No.
Even among banks that accept foreign customers, requirements can differ considerably.
For example:
- ABA places significant emphasis on evidence supporting residency status.
- ACLEDA accepts several different forms of residential, employment, business or mission documentation.
- Canadia distinguishes between resident and non-resident customers in its published account conditions.
- Sathapana explicitly offers a Smart Savings Account to resident and non-resident individuals.
- J Trust Royal lists a passport and work permit for foreigners applying for its The One account.
Applicants should therefore consider the requirements of the specific account, rather than simply asking whether a particular bank accepts foreigners.
What Should You Bring to the Bank?
If you are planning to open an account in person, start with your original passport and valid Cambodian visa.
If available, it is also sensible to bring the documents relevant to your situation, such as your:
- Rental or lease agreement
- Proof of residential address
- Employment contract
- Certificate of employment
- Work permit
- Business registration documents if self-employed
Not every bank will require all of these documents, but several Cambodian banks currently list one or more of them as acceptable or required supporting documentation for foreign customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners have a bank account in Cambodia?
Yes. Several Cambodian banks explicitly publish account-opening requirements for foreigners, including ABA Bank, ACLEDA Bank, Canadia Bank and J Trust Royal Bank. Sathapana Bank also states that its Smart Savings Account is available to resident and non-resident individuals.
Do foreigners need a Cambodian visa to open a bank account?
Some banks explicitly require one. ABA requires foreign Savings Account applicants to hold a valid Cambodian visa, while Canadia requires an original valid passport with a valid visa for foreign applicants.
Requirements should be checked with the individual bank.
Do I need a work permit?
Not every bank listed above publishes a work permit as a universal requirement.
J Trust Royal currently lists a passport and work permit for foreigners applying for its The One account. Other banks publish different methods of establishing eligibility or residency status.
Can non-residents open bank accounts in Cambodia?
Some banks explicitly provide for non-resident customers. Sathapana’s Smart Savings Account states that it is available to resident and non-resident individuals, while Canadia publishes certain Savings Account conditions separately for residents and non-residents.
This does not mean that every Cambodian bank accepts non-residents under the same conditions.
Opening a Bank Account as a Foreigner in Cambodia
Opening a Cambodian bank account as a foreigner is possible, but there is no single document checklist that applies to every bank.
A passport is central to the application process, while visa, residency, employment, work permit or business documentation may also be required depending on the institution.
Before choosing an account, compare the requirements of several banks and check the latest conditions directly with the bank. Requirements, fees and account conditions can change.
Bank-Cambodia.org provides information about banks operating in Cambodia to help residents, expatriates, businesses and visitors compare their banking options.
This article is provided for general information only. Account-opening applications remain subject to each bank’s requirements, verification procedures and approval.