Your first 90 days in Cambodia: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Arrive on the E-class visa, not the tourist visa — this one choice determines whether you can stay, and it cannot be fixed after the fact without leaving and re-entering. Also note that the six- and twelve-month extensions are handled by agents in practice, and the quality of agent varies enormously.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Convert your E-class (ordinary) visa into an EB, ER or EG extension of stay through the General Department of Immigration
Before the 30-day E-visa expires — the extension is applied for inside Cambodia and is what actually lets you stay long-term
The critical detail is arriving on the E (ordinary/business) visa rather than the T (tourist) visa: only the E class can be extended for six or twelve months. A tourist visa cannot be converted, and people discover this at the immigration counter after they have already landed.
Get your TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the General Department of Taxation
Employment and business activity require it; Cambodia taxes salary sourced in Cambodia and residents on worldwide income in principle, though enforcement on foreign income is light.
Registered with the General Department of Taxation, usually through your employer or when registering a business; there is no personal number issued with the visa extension.
Open a bank account
ABA, ACLEDA and Wing open accounts for foreigners holding a valid extension of stay — ABA in particular is used by nearly every expatriate and its app is the everyday payment rail. Cambodia is heavily dollarised, with US dollars used alongside riel for most transactions, which removes almost all currency friction for American arrivals.
Enrol in healthcare
Public healthcare is minimal. Foreign residents use private hospitals in Phnom Penh (Royal Phnom Penh, Raffles) for routine care, and anything serious means evacuation to Bangkok, which is a short flight and the standard plan. International insurance with Bangkok-inclusive cover and evacuation is the practical baseline.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence is not valid for long — residents obtain a Cambodian licence through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and licences from many countries convert on paper with a medical certificate. Driving is on the right; traffic conventions are informal and motorbike accidents are the leading cause of expatriate injury.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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First 90 days in Cambodia: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Cambodia?
Convert your E-class (ordinary) visa into an EB, ER or EG extension of stay through the General Department of Immigration — Before the 30-day E-visa expires — the extension is applied for inside Cambodia and is what actually lets you stay long-term. The critical detail is arriving on the E (ordinary/business) visa rather than the T (tourist) visa: only the E class can be extended for six or twelve months. A tourist visa cannot be converted, and people discover this at the immigration counter after they have already landed. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the General Department of Taxation is Cambodia's personal tax/ID number. Employment and business activity require it; Cambodia taxes salary sourced in Cambodia and residents on worldwide income in principle, though enforcement on foreign income is light. Registered with the General Department of Taxation, usually through your employer or when registering a business; there is no personal number issued with the visa extension.
Can I drive in Cambodia on a US license?
A foreign licence is not valid for long — residents obtain a Cambodian licence through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and licences from many countries convert on paper with a medical certificate. Driving is on the right; traffic conventions are informal and motorbike accidents are the leading cause of expatriate injury. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Cambodia?
Public healthcare is minimal. Foreign residents use private hospitals in Phnom Penh (Royal Phnom Penh, Raffles) for routine care, and anything serious means evacuation to Bangkok, which is a short flight and the standard plan. International insurance with Bangkok-inclusive cover and evacuation is the practical baseline. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Cambodia's system treats foreign residents.