Updated July 2026.
Cambodia is not the obvious choice for an American looking to move abroad, which is a large part of why it works. It is one of the few countries where a US citizen can arrive, get a visa at the airport, and stay indefinitely without a lawyer or a points system.
Why are Americans moving here?
Four reasons come up repeatedly.
The dollar is the currency. Not pegged, not converted. Rent, salaries and restaurant bills are quoted and paid in US dollars. Khmer riel functions as small change, around 4,000 to the dollar. No exchange rate risk on your salary, no watching the currency markets.
Immigration is genuinely simple. Get the E-class ordinary visa for USD 35 on arrival and extend it indefinitely. No quota, no sponsorship queue, no minimum income test. Compared with the paperwork of moving to Europe, it barely registers.
Your money goes considerably further. A single person in Phnom Penh spends around USD 780 to 1,250 a month all in, against expat salaries of USD 1,500 to 4,000.
The career step is bigger. The shortage of experienced professionals means Americans routinely take on roles here two rungs above what they could reach at home, with responsibility that would take another decade in the US.
What does it actually cost?
| Item | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| One bed apartment, central Phnom Penh | USD 400 to 700 |
| One bed in expat areas such as BKK1 | USD 500 to 800 |
| Utilities and internet | USD 50 to 90 |
| Groceries and eating out | USD 300 to 400 |
| Local meal | USD 1 to 4 |
| Western restaurant meal | USD 6 to 15 |
Health insurance, which is a substantial line item in the US, is frequently included in professional packages here.
What about my US taxes?
The one thing Americans cannot ignore, and it catches people out.
The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Moving to Cambodia does not end your filing obligation. You will still file a US return every year.
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit exist for exactly this situation and often mean little or no US tax is actually owed, but you have to file to claim them. For 2026 the exclusion is USD 132,900 per person, with a separate housing exclusion on top.
Separately, if your foreign bank accounts total more than USD 10,000 at any point in the year, you must file an FBAR. This is a reporting requirement rather than a tax, and claiming the exclusion does not remove it.
None of this is a reason not to come. It is a reason to speak to an accountant who handles expatriate returns before you go, rather than in your first April here.
Do Cambodians welcome Americans?
Generally yes, and more warmly than many arrive expecting. Cambodia is used to foreigners, the tourism and NGO sectors are long established, and Americans are not treated as unusual.
Cambodia has a difficult modern history, some of it involving the United States. In practice this comes up far less often than Americans anticipate, and when it does it is usually curiosity rather than hostility. Learning a little history before you arrive is worth doing regardless.
What language do people speak?
Khmer is the national language. English is widely spoken in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, in business, hospitality and among younger people. You can live and work here comfortably in English alone, and most expats do.
Learning some Khmer changes how people respond to you, though. Even basic greetings and numbers go a long way, and Cambodians are generous about attempts.
Where should I visit?
Siem Reap and Angkor is the obvious one, and it earns the reputation. Give it more than a day.
Kampot and Kep in the south are relaxed river and coastal towns, popular for weekends away.
Koh Rong and the islands are a few hours from Phnom Penh and genuinely beautiful.
Battambang is quieter, with colonial architecture and a strong arts scene.
And the wider region is on your doorstep. Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore are all short, inexpensive flights.
What about Phnom Penh itself?
The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the riverside along the Tonle Sap, and the Central and Russian markets are the standard starting points.
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek killing fields are difficult but important, and most people who live here go at least once. They explain a great deal about the country you are moving to.
What work is available?
The sectors consistently hiring international talent are banking and finance, technology, engineering and construction, hospitality, education and the NGO sector.
You will need an E-class visa rather than a tourist visa, plus a work permit separate from it. Work permit enforcement tightened in 2026, so confirm with any employer that they will sponsor and pay for yours.
Our guide to finding work in Cambodia covers sectors and salaries in detail.
Thinking about it?
Nextstep works across recruitment and relocation in Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Browse current opportunities, or get in touch and we will give you an honest picture of what the move would look like.
