Repatriating Profits from Cambodia 2026: How to Send Money Home
One of Cambodia's most underrated investment advantages is its complete absence of foreign exchange controls. Unlike Vietnam, China, India, or Thailand, there is no government approval required to transfer money abroad. Business profits, dividends, savings, and salary can all be wired out freely — provided the correct withholding taxes are paid first.
Cambodia Has No Foreign Exchange Controls
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) does not impose restrictions on the conversion or transfer of foreign currency. Businesses and individuals can freely transfer USD and other major currencies abroad without central bank approval. This is codified in Cambodia's Law on Foreign Exchange 1997 and has remained unchanged through multiple governments.
This makes Cambodia a stark contrast to other regional investment destinations:
Strict controls — profit repatriation requires MOF approval and proof of tax compliance
Extensive capital controls — USD outflows require State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) approval
No approval required — transfer freely via SWIFT, subject only to standard bank AML checks
The absence of foreign exchange controls does not mean there are no tax obligations. The correct procedure for repatriating business profits — paying CIT, declaring dividends formally, paying withholding tax — must still be followed. The freedom is in the transfer mechanism, not in bypassing tax obligations.
Repatriating Business Profits: The Correct Legal Route
The following process applies to a foreign-owned Cambodian Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) distributing profits to non-resident shareholders. Using this example: USD 100,000 net profit before CIT.
Company Earns Profit
Your company generates net profit after all business expenses are deducted. Revenue must be properly recorded with valid Cambodian tax invoices.
Pay 20% Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
File and pay the annual CIT return by 31 March. On USD 100,000 profit, this is USD 20,000 — leaving USD 80,000 after CIT.
Declare a Dividend
Hold a shareholder meeting, pass a resolution to declare a dividend, and document the minutes. This is a legal requirement — you cannot simply transfer profits without a formal dividend declaration.
Pay 14% Withholding Tax on the Dividend
For dividends paid to non-resident shareholders, 14% withholding tax (WHT) applies. On USD 80,000 dividend, WHT is USD 11,200 — leaving USD 68,800. File the WHT with the GDT by the 20th of the following month.
Transfer to Personal Bank Account
Transfer the net dividend from the company bank account to your personal Cambodian bank account. Keep the shareholder resolution and WHT payment receipt on file.
Wire Transfer Abroad
Initiate an international wire transfer from your bank. No government approval required. Bank will process via SWIFT. Typical cost: USD 15–25 + 0.1% of amount. Processing: 1–3 business days.
Effective Tax Rate Example
USD 100,000 gross profit
→ Less 20% CIT: – USD 20,000
→ Dividend declared: USD 80,000
→ Less 14% WHT on dividend: – USD 11,200
→ Net repatriated: USD 68,800 (effective rate: 31.2%)
If your home country has a DTA with Cambodia, you may be able to claim a credit for the WHT against your home country tax liability, reducing the effective combined rate.
Transferring Personal Savings & Salary
For personal transfers — salary already received net of Salary Tax, savings accumulated in a personal account — there is no specific legal process. Simply walk into your bank or use the mobile app, initiate an international wire transfer (SWIFT), and it will be processed. No government forms, no approval.
Banks may request source-of-funds documentation for large transfers as part of their own AML compliance program. This is a bank policy requirement, not a government restriction. Having payslips, tax witholding certificates, or bank statements showing the accumulation of funds makes this seamless.
Best Banks for International Transfers
ABA Bank
Best mobile app in Cambodia, fastest processing, widest ATM network, English-language support
Canadia Bank
Long-established, strong correspondent banking network, good for large business transfers
Acleda Bank
Largest branch network in Cambodia, strong presence in provincial areas, government-linked
BRED Bank (Cambodia)
French-owned, strong correspondent banking to Europe, good for EU transfers
Maybank Cambodia
Malaysian-owned, excellent for transfers to Malaysia and SE Asian corridors, competitive FX
Bangkok Bank Cambodia
Thai-owned, ideal for transfers to Thailand, physical branches on both sides of border
Using Wise, Western Union & International Services
Wise (formerly TransferWise): Legal and practical for personal transfers from Cambodia. Wise offers mid-market exchange rates which are significantly better than Cambodian bank FX rates. Wise is most useful for: remitting personal salary abroad, paying foreign suppliers, receiving international payments. For formal dividend repatriation, a Cambodian bank wire is preferable to maintain clear documentation.
Western Union / MoneyGram: Available for smaller personal transfers, particularly for cash pickup at the receiving end. More expensive than Wise for amounts above USD 1,000. Practical for sending money to family in countries with limited banking infrastructure.
Withholding Tax on Other Cross-Border Payments
| Payment Type | WHT Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends to Non-Resident Shareholders | 14% | Most common repatriation method. Deducted before distribution, remitted to GDT monthly. |
| Interest Payments to Non-Residents | 14% | Applies to loan interest paid to foreign lenders. Lower 6% rate may apply to financial institutions under some DTAs. |
| Royalties to Non-Residents | 14% | Applies to licensing fees, IP payments, franchise fees paid to foreign entities. |
| Rental Income (Cambodia Property) | 10% | Withheld by tenant if tenant is a registered taxpayer; otherwise owner files directly. |
| Service Payments to Non-Registered Persons | 15% | Applies to freelancers and unregistered service providers paid by your Cambodian company. |
Best Practices for Smooth Repatriation
- Maintain annual audited financial statements — makes large transfers straightforward with banks
- File all WHT returns on time (by 20th monthly) — GDT clearance letters are sometimes requested by banks for large transfers
- Keep shareholder meeting minutes for every dividend declaration — legal requirement, also protects you on audit
- Use ABA Bank for its strong English-language support and fast international processing
- For DTA countries: apply for treaty benefits before the first dividend payment to lock in any reduced WHT rate
- If repatriating more than USD 100,000 per transaction, notify your bank in advance to avoid delays
Get in Touch Directly
For corporate banking setup, dividend structuring, or repatriation planning:
mustoinvestincambodia@gmail.comWe respond within 24 hours on business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how much money I can send abroad from Cambodia?
No. Cambodia has no foreign exchange controls and no limit on how much money you can transfer abroad. This is a significant advantage compared to countries like Vietnam, China, or India, which impose strict capital controls. You can transfer any amount you wish, subject only to your bank's internal processes and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance checks. For large transfers — typically those involving cash amounts of USD 10,000 or more — your bank is required by law to verify the source of funds. For wire transfers of business profits, having a clear paper trail (dividend resolution, WHT receipt, audited accounts) makes large transfers straightforward.
What withholding tax applies to dividends paid to foreign shareholders?
Dividends paid to non-resident shareholders are subject to 14% withholding tax under Cambodia's Law on Taxation. This tax is deducted from the dividend before it is distributed and must be remitted to the GDT by the 20th of the following month. For example: USD 80,000 dividend × 14% = USD 11,200 WHT, so the shareholder receives USD 68,800 net. If Cambodia has a DTA with the shareholder's home country, the treaty may reduce this rate — for example, the Cambodia-Singapore DTA sets a maximum 10% rate on dividends in some circumstances. Always check the specific DTA provisions.
Can I use Wise (formerly TransferWise) to transfer money out of Cambodia?
Wise supports transfers from Cambodia to foreign accounts. You can use Wise for personal transfers using a Wise account, and the mid-market exchange rate Wise offers is typically far better than what Cambodian banks offer. However, Wise is more suitable for personal transfers and smaller business amounts. For formal repatriation of business profits (dividends), you should use a Cambodian bank to ensure your WHT and dividend documentation aligns with the transfer — this is important for GDT audit purposes. Using Wise for informal profit extraction without proper dividend declaration and WHT payment is not a compliant approach.
What documentation does my bank need for a large international transfer?
For personal salary transfers, banks typically require minimal documentation for reasonable amounts. For large business-related transfers (typically USD 10,000+ equivalent), expect your bank to ask for: (1) Source of funds documentation — e.g., company audited accounts, dividend resolution, bank statements; (2) Purpose of transfer — a brief written explanation; (3) Beneficiary information — full name, bank account, SWIFT/BIC code, bank address. For repatriation of dividends specifically, having the following on file greatly speeds up the process: shareholder meeting minutes declaring the dividend, GDT WHT remittance receipt, and company CIT payment confirmation.
How do I handle large cash transfers? What triggers AML checks?
Cambodia's Anti-Money Laundering Law (AMLL) requires banks and financial institutions to report cash transactions exceeding USD 10,000 equivalent to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the NBC. This is a reporting requirement, not a prohibition — it does not mean your transfer will be blocked. For wire transfers (non-cash), the threshold for enhanced due diligence varies by bank, but most Cambodian banks will ask for source-of-funds documentation on transfers over USD 50,000–100,000. The best practice is to build your paper trail from the beginning: regular audited accounts, proper dividend declarations, and timely WHT payments mean that large annual profit repatriations are straightforward and well-documented.
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Legal Disclaimer: Withholding tax rates, AML thresholds, and banking procedures are subject to change by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the National Bank of Cambodia. This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Bank fees and processing times are approximate and may vary. Always engage a licensed Cambodian tax advisor and your bank directly for specific transfer requirements.
Our legal content is developed in partnership with licensed Cambodian attorneys and business consultants who specialise in foreign investment, immigration, and property law.
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