Cambodia Investment Review
Global CBI, ATEC, and AGSMS hosted the Residence by Investment & Working Abroad Workshop at bringing together international experts to share practical pathways for Cambodians seeking to work, study, or invest abroad.
The event, attended by business professionals, entrepreneurs, and migration consultants, covered a range of programs from Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, and Europe — all designed to open doors for skilled migration and investment-based residency.
Regional Pathways for Skilled Professionals
Opening the workshop, Rasmey Sokmongkol (Raz), Managing Director of AGSMS, ATEC, and AIA QLD, emphasized the importance of understanding visa regulations and the employment opportunities available under Australia’s evolving skilled migration framework.
Raz outlined key visa pathways including the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visas — both granting permanent residency to eligible professionals — as well as the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa, which allows workers to gain permanent residency after living and working in designated regions for three years
He also discussed the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858), which targets entrepreneurs, researchers, and global talent across technology, renewables, and fintech sectors, and the newly launched Active Investor Plus Visa in New Zealand — granting residency for investors who place NZ$5 million (≈USD 3 million) into approved funds over three years.
“These programs are not only about relocation,” Raz explained. “They are about contributing to future-ready economies that value innovation, skills, and entrepreneurship.”
Cyprus: A Diplomatic and Investment Gateway to Europe
In the centerpiece session, H.E. Salah Essa, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Cyprus, spoke about the growing diplomatic and economic relationship between Cyprus and Cambodia, marking 25 years of bilateral ties.
Read More: Honorary Consulate in Cambodia Marks 65th Anniversary of Cyprus Independence
He presented the Cyprus Permanent Residency Program, which provides non-EU investors and their families a lifetime right to reside in Cyprus and travel within the European Union
To qualify, applicants must invest €300,000 plus VAT in real estate, a Cyprus-registered company, or an investment fund. They must also show a minimum annual income of €50,000 and maintain health insurance coverage. The program allows inclusion of spouses, children, and parents, with an application process that typically takes four to six months.
H.E. Salah emphasized Cyprus’s appeal as a “secure, family-friendly, and strategic gateway to Europe,” highlighting its stable tax regime, access to EU education and healthcare, and status as a European Union member state offering political and economic stability.
For more information contact H.E. Salah Essa’s office on consul@cyprusconsulatecambodia.com / (+855) 12 992 070 / (+855) 16 992 070
Global Citizenship: Expanding Mobility Through Investment
The workshop concluded with a presentation by Untac Nem, Private Client Advisor at Henley & Partners’ Cambodia office, who discussed a wide range of citizenship and residence by investment programs available globally.
Untac outlined how Cambodian investors can enhance global mobility and wealth diversification through alternative citizenships — citing the Antigua & Barbuda passport (visa-free access to over 150 destinations) and Malta passport (187 destinations) as examples. By comparison, Cambodia’s passport currently ranks 88th globally with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 50 countries.
He described citizenship and residence-by-investment as “a form of geopolitical insurance” that allows individuals and families to protect against uncertainty while accessing international markets, education, and travel freedom. Henley & Partners, which operates in over 70 offices worldwide, has advised more than 25,000 clients and facilitated over USD 15 billion in foreign direct investment through such programs.
For more information, contact Untac at the Henley & Partners Cambodia office: https://www.henleyglobal.com/contact/office-cambodia
Growing Cambodian Interest in Global Access
As more Cambodians explore global business, education, and lifestyle opportunities, events like this workshop underscore a rising appetite for structured migration and investment solutions.
The discussions reflected a broader trend — that international mobility is increasingly viewed as both a financial and strategic asset. For Cambodian professionals and entrepreneurs, the message was clear: global residency and citizenship programs are no longer limited to the ultra-wealthy but are becoming attainable tools for those seeking long-term growth and security abroad.
