Opening a bank account in Cambodia

In 3 bullets

• ABA Bank is the default choice for expats: account opened same day, excellent mobile app, KHQR / Bakong / KHQR integration.
• Plan for passport + long-stay visa + proof of address (lease, employer letter or Sangkat letter). An in-branch visit is mandatory.
• Wing is not a bank but a mobile payment service — useful as a complement, not as a primary account.

Eligibility

Any Cambodian bank licensed by the NBC (National Bank of Cambodia) will open an account for a foreigner provided:

• You are 18 or over.
• You hold a valid passport (≥ 6 months).
• You hold a Cambodian visa: all types accepted in theory, but in practice banks prefer an EB, ER or a T visa with an already-validated business / long-stay extension. A plain unextended T visa will often be refused.
• You provide proof of local presence: signed lease, employment contract, Sangkat letter, or a long-term hotel attestation (rare).

Cost and duration

Activation lead time:

• ABA Instant Account: account opened and active within the hour, card issued on the spot in most major branches.
• ACLEDA: card within 3 to 7 business days.
• Canadia / FTB: 3 to 5 days for the card.

How to open an account

1. ABA Bank (recommended for most expats)

ABA is the mobile banking leader in Cambodia. Procedure:

1. Download the ABA Mobile app and create a draft application (passport, photo).
2. Show up at an ABA branch (everywhere in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, plus Aeon Malls) with your physical file.
3. Choose the account type:
   • Instant Account: USD or KHR, no minimum deposit, ATM Visa card issued on the spot.
   • Current Account or Premium: for larger balances, dedicated services.
4. The clerk scans your passport, checks the visa, and hands over the card + mobile app activation.
5. First cash deposit possible immediately.

2. ACLEDA Bank

More local, more withdrawal points in rural areas (~265 branches vs ~85 at ABA). Procedure almost identical, but the mobile app is less polished. A good choice if you live outside major cities.

3. Wing — mobile payment, not a bank

Wing is a popular e-wallet in Cambodia, mostly for transfers to / from rural accounts and bill payment (water, electricity, taxes). Procedure:

1. Download the Wing app.
2. Sign up with passport + local KH number (Cambodian SIM required).
3. Possible visit to a Wing kiosk for full KYC.
4. Cash top-up at any kiosk (very dense network).

To use as a complement to an ABA / ACLEDA account, not as a primary account.

4. Canadia, FTB, J Trust Royal — traditional banks

Procedure close to ACLEDA: in-branch visit, full file, card within 3-7 days. A valid choice if you have a business account or ties to one of these brands.

Required documents

• Original passport + photocopy of main page and visa page.
• Long-stay visa (EB / ER / business extension) in current validity.
• Proof of Cambodia address: signed lease, employer letter, Sangkat letter (see the dedicated guide), or utility bill (water, electricity).
• Cambodian phone number: essential for SMS authentication (OTP) — see the SIM guide.
• Valid email.
• Recent photo (often taken in-branch).
• First deposit in USD or KHR cash if the bank requires it.

Quick comparison

Which profile?

• Employed in Phnom Penh / Siem Reap, daily use, KHQR payments: ABA.
• Living in the provinces, frequent rural cash withdrawals: ACLEDA.
• Business account / Co. Ltd.: Canadia, FTB or J Trust Royal (business fees better structured).
• Friend-to-friend transfers, bill payment, mobile top-up: Wing or TrueMoney as a complement.
• High balance, dedicated advisor: ABA Premium or Vattanac Bank.

KHQR / Bakong

All Cambodian banks are connected to NBC’s Bakong / KHQR system, which enables:

• Instant inter-bank transfers (< 5 seconds).
• Payment by KHQR QR code at merchants (>230,000 outlets end of 2025).
• Alipay+ compatibility, plus payments from Korea, Japan, Malaysia.

In practice: from your ABA Mobile app you can pay at ACLEDA, Wing, FTB, etc. — a single QR code is enough.

Extension / Renewal

A Cambodian account does not expire as long as it is active. But:

• Prolonged inactivity (> 12 months without a transaction): the bank can suspend the account; in-branch unblocking with passport.
• Expired visa: the bank may block transactions until a new visa is provided. Keep your KYC file up to date.
• Renewed passport: present the new passport in-branch for update, otherwise withdrawals / transfers may be blocked.

Common pitfalls

FAQ

Can I open an account without a long-stay visa?

Officially no, but some ABA or ACLEDA branches accept a T visa with a 6-month extension or a T visa + employer letter as a bridge. To test branch by branch, but not the standard route.

Why have a KHR account?

To pay public services (water, electricity, internet), receive a local salary and avoid FX fees on everyday payments. Many expats hold two accounts (USD + KHR) at the same bank.

How do I receive my salary in Cambodia?

If you are an employee of a KH company: HR declares your account (often ABA) to payroll, salary credited in USD or KHR the following month. If you are remote / freelance: open a personal account and have funds transferred from abroad via SWIFT (see international transfers).

Is the account taxable in France?

Yes. Every French tax resident must declare foreign accounts on form 3916 (attached to the 2042 return) each year. Failing to declare exposes you to a fine of 1,500 € per undeclared account (15,000 € if the country is non-cooperative — not the case for Cambodia, but check the current year).

Can I close the account when leaving Cambodia?

Yes, in-branch with passport + visa + ATM card. Request a zero balance or final transfer. If you leave a balance behind, it will be frozen (and subject to inactivity fees after ~12 months).