Your First Week in Cambodia as a New Expat

Moving to Cambodia is genuinely exciting — but the first week can feel overwhelming if you try to do everything at once. Cambodia is a country where systems work differently from what most Western expats expect: there is no formal address verification for bank accounts, rental agreements are often informal (though this is changing), visa extension is outsourced to visa agents, and much of expat life is organized through Facebook groups rather than official channels.

This guide sequences the first week pragmatically. Day 1 is intentionally light — you have just arrived in a new country, possibly jet-lagged, and trying to open a bank account on Day 1 is a recipe for mistakes. By Day 7, you should have: a working phone number and data plan, a bank account with a debit card, a visa extension in progress, a signed lease for your apartment, functioning internet, and at least one social event attended or upcoming.

The guide is written primarily for Phnom Penh, which is where most Cambodia expats base themselves. For Siem Reap, Kampot, and Sihanoukville expats, the sequencing is similar but the neighborhood names, apartment prices, and social venues will differ. Siem Reap expats should substitute BKK1 for Sala Kamreuk and Svay Dangkum districts; Kampot expats will find everything in the small river town center.

Day 1 has one goal: get settled. Resist the urge to rush bureaucracy. Nothing important closes permanently on Day 1, and the SIM card and embassy registration you do today will make everything on Days 2–7 easier.

At the Airport (1–2 hours)

• SIM Card: Buy at the airport arrivals hall immediately. Smart Axiata and Cellcard are the two main carriers. Smart is generally preferred for data coverage outside Phnom Penh (better rural and Angkor coverage). Cellcard has a strong Phnom Penh network. Monthly plans: $2–5 for 30-day unlimited data (speed throttled after 30GB). Buy a 30-day plan, not a 7-day tourist plan — you will need this number for your bank account and lease registration. Keep the number — changing numbers monthly is frustrating once you are registered with banks and services.
• Currency: Cambodia runs on USD and Khmer Riel (KHR). ATMs dispense USD; change is given in KHR (approximately 4,100 KHR per $1 USD). You do not need to exchange your home currency — USD is universally accepted and preferred. Withdraw $200–400 from the airport ATM (ABA or ACLEDA have the best rates; avoid smaller machines with high fees).
• Transport: Download PassApp (Cambodian ride-hailing app) and Grab before leaving the airport. PassApp is preferred for tuk-tuks; Grab for cars. Airport tuk-tuk to BKK1 (central Phnom Penh): $5–7 by PassApp. If your accommodation is pre-booked, use that. If not, tell your driver you need a guesthouse in BKK1 — they will take you to The Billabong ($35–55) or a budget option.

Embassy Registration (30 minutes online, same day)

• Register with your home country embassy online as soon as you have Wi-Fi. This is the single most important administrative step many expats skip and should not. In a genuine emergency (accident, medical evacuation, civil unrest), your embassy can only help you if they know you are in the country.
• USA: STEP program (step.state.gov) — takes 5 minutes, registers you with the US Embassy Phnom Penh.
• UK: FCDO registration (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia) — similar process.
• Australia: Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au) — register and subscribe to Cambodia alerts.
• Other nationalities: search "[Your country] embassy Cambodia registration" — most embassies have an online form.

Apps to Install Today

• PassApp — tuk-tuk and car hailing, the Cambodian equivalent of Grab. Essential.
• Grab — also works in Cambodia for cars. Download as backup.
• ABA Mobile — pre-install. You will open an account tomorrow; the app is needed immediately upon account opening.
• WING — local mobile payment system. Accepted for utility payments, local food delivery, and many landlords.
• Nham24 — the main food delivery app in Cambodia. Better restaurant selection than international options.
• Google Maps — download Cambodia offline map. Street addressing in Cambodia is inconsistent; GPS is the only reliable navigation method.
• Facebook — Cambodia's social infrastructure runs on Facebook. Groups, events, apartment listings, expat networking — all on Facebook. Join Cambodia Expats Online (CEO) immediately.

Your Temporary Accommodation

• If you have not pre-booked, BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1) is the best base for your first week. It has the highest density of cafes, restaurants, services, and the most English-speaking expat infrastructure. Hostels start at $12–18 for a private room. The Billabong Hotel ($35–55) is an excellent mid-range base with a pool and breakfast, well-positioned for apartment viewings in the surrounding neighborhoods.
• Serviced apartments for month-to-month rental are also available in BKK1 from $350–500/month for a studio — useful if you want to avoid hostel life while apartment hunting. Search for "serviced apartment BKK1" on Booking.com or directly in the CEO Facebook group.

Days 2 and 3 tackle the three most important bureaucratic items: your visa extension, your bank account, and beginning your apartment search. These can be done in parallel across two days — the visa agent appointment is typically a 30-minute drop-off, and the bank account opening is a 20-minute process. This leaves plenty of time for apartment research.

Day 2 Morning: Visa Extension Appointment

• Most expats use a visa agent rather than going to immigration directly. The price difference is minimal ($10–20) and agents handle the queuing, form-filling, and communication in Khmer that can make direct immigration visits difficult for new arrivals.
• Recommended visa agents: Cambodian Visa Processing Center (BKK1, Street 63), Mekong Visa Agency (Street 174, Phnom Penh), or any of the dozens of small travel agents in the BKK1 area. Ask at your guesthouse for their recommended agent — most have a trusted partner.
• What to bring: passport, 2 passport photos (can be taken at any pharmacy or photo shop near BKK1 for $2–3), $300–350 cash for a 1-year ordinary (EG) extension. Processing time: 7–10 business days. You will leave your passport with the agent — this is standard practice in Cambodia and legitimate for authorized agents.
• Visa options for long-term expats: The most common is the 1-year ordinary visa (EG category, "Ordinary" or "General" visa) at $300–350 via an agent. This is renewable annually and is the workhorse visa for most working expats. Business visa (EB) holders can work legally. If your employer is sponsoring your visa, they will handle this — check before paying an agent.

Day 2 Afternoon: Open a Bank Account

• ABA Bank is overwhelmingly the expat favorite. English-speaking staff, excellent mobile banking app (ABA Mobile), free ATM withdrawals at ABA machines (the most common ATM network in Cambodia), and quick account opening. Walk into any ABA branch with your passport and visa stamp. You will also need your local phone number (hence doing this on Day 2, not Day 1).
• Account opening: 20–30 minutes. You receive a debit card immediately (in some branches; others post it within 3 days). Activate ABA Mobile on your phone before leaving the branch — you will need it for KHQR payments (Cambodia's universal QR payment system) and local transfers.
• Canadia Bank is an alternative — well-regarded for business accounts and has more branches outside Phnom Penh. Acleda Bank is the largest local bank, stronger in rural areas, and accepts a wider range of visa types for account opening.
• Deposit $500–1,000 as your opening balance. You will need this for apartment deposits (typically 1–2 months rent) and initial utility setup.

Days 2–3: Begin Apartment Search

• The Cambodia rental market moves primarily through Facebook groups and local agents, not through Airbnb-style platforms (though 1-month Airbnb stays exist as a bridge option).
• Primary search sources:
  • Facebook group: "Phnom Penh Expat Rentals" — post your requirements (budget, neighborhood, move-in date) and agents and private landlords will contact you directly within hours.
  • Facebook group: "Cambodia Expats Online" (CEO) — housing section. Largest expat community group with active rental listings.
  • realestate.com.kh — the main property listing website in Cambodia. English interface, filter by neighborhood and price.
  • Local agents: walk into any real estate agent in BKK1 (there are dozens) and describe your requirements. Most speak adequate English. Agent fees are typically paid by the landlord, not the tenant — agents are free to use.
• What to specify in your search: monthly budget (in USD), furnished or unfurnished (furnished is standard for expats), number of bedrooms, preferred neighborhood, move-in date, and whether you need a pool (common in expat buildings, adds $50–100/month).
• Neighborhoods to focus on:
  • BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1): the premium expat neighborhood. Closest to international restaurants, embassies, Western supermarkets (Lucky, Sons). Studio $400–600/month; 2BR $700–1,200/month.
  • Toul Tompoung (Russian Market area): more local feel, cheaper, excellent cafe and restaurant scene. Studio $300–450/month; 2BR $550–900/month.
  • BKK2/BKK3: adjacent to BKK1, slightly lower prices, similar amenities. Studio $300–500/month.
  • Tonle Bassac (Street 308 area): riverside, modern high-rise developments, popular with younger expats and digital nomads. Studio $400–700/month with gym and pool.
• Book 5–8 viewings across Days 4 and 5. Cambodia landlords are generally flexible and responsive — same-day viewings are usually possible if you message directly.

Days 4 and 5 are the most physically intensive of the first week — you will spend a lot of time in tuk-tuks moving between viewings. This is normal. Committing to an apartment is a significant decision, and seeing 6–8 options gives you a proper sense of what is available at your budget before you commit.

Day 4: Apartment Viewings

• Schedule 4–5 viewings in the morning (9am–12pm) in the same neighborhood where possible to minimize transit time. Use a tuk-tuk hired by the hour via PassApp ($5–7/hour) rather than booking individual rides — the driver can wait while you view and take you to the next location.
• What to check at each viewing:
  • Water pressure (run the shower and tap for 30 seconds)
  • Air conditioning — check that all units work and how many there are
  • Hot water (not all apartments have it — particularly older buildings)
  • Internet speed — ask the landlord for the current ISP and monthly cost; test the connection on your phone if possible
  • Electricity rate — ask specifically: "What is your electricity rate per kWh?" Legitimate answers are $0.18–0.24. Anything above $0.30 is excessive.
  • Furniture inventory — photograph everything in the apartment with your phone before committing; this is your protection if the landlord later claims items were damaged
  • Building security — intercom, CCTV, security guard hours
  • Nearest supermarket and pharmacy (walkability matters in Phnom Penh's heat)
• Schedule 3–4 more viewings for Day 5 in different neighborhoods if nothing in Day 4 was suitable.

Day 5: Sign the Lease

• Once you have found your apartment, the lease negotiation in Cambodia is simpler than many expats expect. Standard terms: 1-year lease, 1–2 months deposit paid upfront, monthly rent in USD. Some landlords accept quarterly payment in exchange for a 5–10% discount.
• Lease red flags: no written lease offered (insist on one); deposit more than 2 months rent; landlord refuses to specify the electricity rate in writing; no inventory list of furniture.
• Pay your deposit by bank transfer (more traceable than cash). Get a receipt signed by the landlord. Photograph the apartment again on move-in day to document condition — send photos to your own email so they are time-stamped.
• Negotiate before signing: in the current Phnom Penh market, most landlords have some flexibility. Asking for the first month at 50% or a free parking space is reasonable. Asking for 10–15% off for a 2-year commitment is also reasonable.

Day 5: Utility Setup

• Internet: SINET and MetFone are the most reliable ISPs for home fiber in Phnom Penh. SINET plans start at $30/month for 30Mbps, $50/month for 100Mbps. MetFone is competitive at $25–40/month. Installation takes 2–5 business days after application. Apply online or call the ISP directly — landlords often know which ISP serves the building. Many buildings also offer internet in the rent (typically 20–50Mbps shared) — ask.
• Water: Usually billed by the landlord and included in rent or charged at cost. Drinking water in Phnom Penh is from filtered water dispensers — order a 20-litre water dispenser jug ($1.50 per jug, delivered). Ask your landlord or building management for the regular water supplier they use.
• Electricity: Billed monthly by the landlord from the building meter. Keep your own meter record photographed at move-in to avoid disputes. Phnom Penh experiences occasional power cuts (especially in wet season) — a small UPS ($30–50 from Lucky Supermarket) for your router and laptop is a good investment.
• Furniture top-ups: AEON Mall (multiple Phnom Penh locations) has everything from mattresses to kitchen items. Lucky Supermarket (BKK1) stocks basic household goods. For cheap and cheerful furniture, Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung) has secondhand furniture from departing expats at significant discounts — posted regularly on CEO Facebook group too.

By Day 6, the administrative sprint is mostly done. Your visa extension is processing, your bank account is open, your apartment is signed, and your internet is ordered. Days 6 and 7 are about building the social and practical infrastructure that makes Cambodia feel like home rather than an administrative project.

Day 6: Expat Community and Social Connections

• Cambodia Expats Online (CEO) — the essential Facebook group (60,000+ members). Post a "just arrived" introduction and you will receive genuine responses, restaurant recommendations, visa advice, and event invitations within hours. CEO also hosts a monthly meetup event (check the group's events tab). This is the fastest way to meet people in Cambodia.
• Hash House Harriers Phnom Penh — weekly running club (actually a social club that happens to run). Monday evenings, different start locations posted in their Facebook group. Costs $5–8 per run including post-run drinks and food. Attended by a mix of long-term expats, tourists, and locals — one of Phnom Penh's best social institutions. No particular fitness level required.
• Country-specific groups: search Facebook for "American expats Cambodia," "British expats Cambodia," "Australian expats Cambodia," or your nationality. Most active national groups have their own events, WhatsApp groups, and informal gatherings.
• Industry networks: if you are working in development or NGOs, look for sector-specific mixers (Development Practitioners Cambodia, UN agency events). For digital nomads: check the Cambodia Digital Nomad Facebook group and the coworking spaces in BKK1 (Factory Phnom Penh on Street 360, The Factory on Street 123) which often host networking events.
• Neighborhood exploration: spend 2–3 hours walking your new neighborhood on foot. Cambodia's street food vendors, bakeries, coffee shops, and pharmacies are all discovered by walking. Most locals are friendly and curious about new expats — basic Khmer greetings ("Sousday" for hello, "Aw-kun" for thank you) will be appreciated enormously.

Day 7: Grocery Routine, Gym, and Emergency Contacts

• Supermarkets: Cambodia has three main expat supermarket chains.
  • Lucky Supermarket (multiple BKK1 and citywide locations): the most comprehensive. Western brands, Cambodian produce, good wine selection, reliable bakery. English labels. Open 7am–10pm daily.
  • Sons Supermarket (BKK1, Street 63): Korean-operated, excellent for Asian ingredients, fresh produce, and imported Korean/Japanese products. Loved by the BKK1 expat community.
  • Aeon Mall Supermarkets (Sen Sok and Chamkarmon): Japanese-operated, widest international selection, higher prices. Good for specialty items.
• Local markets: for fresh produce, Phsar Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market) and Phsar Boeung Keng Kang are the best-regarded expat-friendly local markets. Prices are 30–50% lower than supermarkets for fruit, vegetables, and meat. Bring your own bags.
• Gym: Cambodia's gym scene has exploded in recent years. Monthly memberships start at $20–30 at local gyms (California Fitness) up to $50–80 at better-equipped expat gyms (Fitness Concepts BKK1, True Fitness). Many expat apartment buildings include a basic gym. CrossFit Phnom Penh and various yoga studios ($5–15 per class) are also popular with expats.
• Doctor registration: register with a clinic before you need one. Recommended: SOS International Medical Clinic (BKK1, 24/7, international standard), Royal Phnom Penh Hospital (Monivong Blvd, good ER), or Naga Clinic (BKK1, walk-in). All have English-speaking staff. Appointments are usually same-day or next-day.

Build Your Emergency Contacts List

• Save these contacts on your phone before anything else goes wrong:
• Your country's embassy emergency line (find it at your embassy's website)
• Your travel insurance 24/7 emergency line (on your policy card)
• SOS International: +855 23 216 911 (24/7 medical)
• Tourist Police: 012 942 484
• Police: 117
• Ambulance: 119
• Your visa agent's mobile number
• Your landlord's mobile number
• Your closest expat neighbor or contact from CEO group