How to make money in Cambodia

Hi everyone....

Who wants to go to Cambodia with me???    : )

Where do I go to teach English....I have a certificate in ESL

I have an ESL certificate, too. Pay was $3 an hour when I was looking for jobs about 7 years ago, so I started freelance writing instead. Some of the better English schools pay more now, but positions fill fast. Better jobs are in bigger cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, I think.

Open to speaking with people knowing the ins and outs of business in P.P.  I have 35 years experience owning various businesses in the USA and cast knowledge and business contacts.  Had two successful New York City restaurants, adult businesses, and numerous businesses involving transportation and trucking industries.  Extensive contact and family members in the casino industry as well.

[ Moderate by Maximilien : avoid posting your personal details on a public forum pls ]

Please serious only and working English conversation. Thanks!

Please, can you tell me where the UN office is in Phnom penh ?
I am working & have visa for 1 year, however my salary not enough & I'm looking for some extra work ?
Much appreciated for any leads.....

ruthasia wrote:

Please, can you tell me where the UN office is in Phnom penh ?
I am working & have visa for 1 year, however my salary not enough & I'm looking for some extra work ?
Much appreciated for any leads.....

Google for the address. It is there. UN does not give part time employment.

There is no money ro be made in cambodia. Come with your money, keep it close, and NEVER give it away. Enjoy life as it can be good here but trust no one. TRUST NO ONE!!!  Don't give to churces, don't give to NGO's. Do not put in local banks, and do not give to orphans or ophanages. You can not trust anyone.

Hi there,
I want to reply to that bullshitter  Nick , who  says he's living in a hugh Cathedral looking apartment. 3-4 bedrooms and all that for 250 Dollars. Hah ha .Where in Phnom Penh do you live ??? In a Squat ??? I live in Cambodia , in Sihanoukville in a beautiful 1 bedroom room executive apartment with all mod cons and Including a lift . Which for some strange reason in this backward country is a real treat to even have one ! I pay 450 Dollars plus utilities.. Wages working as a teacher are crap like 8 Dollars an hour . And for a cost of living that is similar to the States ! Grocery wise at least.. Which I was there just last year   ( states this is)  so things cant change that much. Be careful of the idiots who writing  very misleading information on this site. As I read so much of it before I came here 7 months ago and Glad to leave shortly !!!!
Its a beautiful country with amazing potential. People are great too. But its not good value for money. beer and cigs are cheap ! But that's not what life is about. and be prepared for lots of slowness etc. Like taking 4 hours to get from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh. Which is only 200 kms away. They even got to stop half way for a break !!!! No rules of the road exist .And streets and beaches  full of crap , rubbish and god knows what else.  On top of it crooked cops who take bribes right left and centre!! Where has all the billions and billions from tourism gone and from the world bank , charity organizations,  etc etc. I could  go on forever . Again do come here for a short holiday But forget about living here . Stay in Thailand  if you want to live your tropical dream.or whatever. Its a little more civilized and less filth every where !!!. Good luck.
Sihanoukville.

dannybun wrote:

Hey, I've been thinking about moving to Cambodia along time now, but just cant seem to find the business or line of work.

I can speak, read and write Khmer.

Any good ideas would be greatly appreciate.

thanks

Danny

Danny, are you still interested in moving to Cambodia?  I am already here.  If you ever come for a visit, I am interested to meet with you and talk about the possiblity.

I've lived in Sihanoukville for nine years. I can't comment on American prices, but it's certainly cheap compared to Australia. I built a two-storey brick house for $50,000 in 2007. I live with my wife and her family (8 in all) and can keep us all fed for $1500 a month (that includes gas and electricity). Some of the beaches are pretty grungy, but if you know where to go, you can find beautiful beaches. I eat out every night. I can get a decent meal and a glass of wine for $3.50. If I want a more upmarket meal, it costs more like $5 to $7. When my son was here over Christmas, he laughed when he saw the meal bill. He, his girlfriend and I went to Maybe Later and had a great Mexican dinner complete with two Margaritas each. Total cost was $39. He said he would have paid that much for just 3 Margaritas in Sydney. It's not for everyone, but I'm happy here. Oh, and the police don't rip me off, either. If I'm not wearing a helmet, I'll pay a dollar fine.

Cambodia is like a litmus test and many don't pass. Some even pay with their lives.

But then would they pass in Colombia for example, or in Romania? Is it the country or is it us? Are our expectations and plans reasonable and sustainable? etc.

Good for you Oz,
Your obviously married to a native plus the whole tribe too. So you got  ahead start over everyone else on finding cheap places to eat. But when you say cheap ya 3-4 Dollars is nothing Wouldn't even get you a pint back home .But your eating in a very basic place  which I understand for that price.Of course you can build a house here for the price you pay for a shed in Dublin or any other European city. As compared to Ireland its very cheap indeed as it is to a lot of the EU countries.  But you got all the hassles of dirt and filth ..Probably not even a cemented road or piped water and electricity either Which you got to sort out too. A Cambodian girlfriend of mine was building  a house and she told me all the hassles and the things you got to do just to get running water and electricity etc. Just normal  basic things. .And talking  of  just Some beaches . Lots and lots of dirty beaches where you can actually see the sewage flowing into the sea. Again I know this is just a developing country But come on with the Billons and Billions they get from Tourism. Is there anyone accountable for this ! Yes and there all creaming it off. The world is sick of giving this country money hand over fist and they don't even help themselves. As for the Police fine .Its more like 3 Dollars. But again you know the in's and out's grant it. As I said previously its slightly cheaper than the States , and  much cheaper than Europe of course. But big difference in lifestyle and civilization. Just coz it rains heavy here Even the electricity stops working !! Only yesterday a friend of mine was offered 6 Dollars an hour for teaching English in a very well known school .Needless to say they are off to BKK where the offers are better. Now these are real facts not some clown saying how wonderful it all is. Would be great if people just be honest and get their facts right before telling bullshit stories.
That's all we want to read about. Good honest stories. Good luck.
Sihanoukville.

palmsprings wrote:

Only yesterday a friend of mine was offered 6 Dollars an hour for teaching English in a very well known school .Needless to say they are off to BKK where the offers are better. Now these are real facts not some clown saying how wonderful it all is. Would be great if people just be honest and get their facts right before telling bullshit stories.
That's all we want to read about. Good honest stories. Good luck.
Sihanoukville.

That's an error in your thinking - or you have made up your mind about the place and now just want to hear everyone sharing negative stories that you agree with - everyone's story IS a true story; from the guy who started the FCC group or the couple who bought the island for $15K and turned it into a high-end luxury resort, to the many foreign small business owners all over the country and finally down to the most unlucky deathpat, sadly ending his life in Cambodia or having it ended for him. There simply isn't *the one true* Cambodia story.

Plus about your friend: Expecting a well paid low level English teacher job in a country where the minimum wage is $128/month is not a thought I would entertain at this point.

Are people saying that Cambodia is the new pot 'o gold at the end of the rainbow? I haven't heard that and neither would I believe it - but that would go for any country. You usually can't copy what someone else did, you don't know the same people, your approach is different, so there will always be widely different "expat career trajectories".

Here's a true story for you: I stayed at a small resort in Kep (I think this should be really spelled Kaeb, because that's the way the local pronounce it) last year. The French owner told me he had invested $75K (including $15K for one of the smallest pools I have ever seen), made his money back after five years and now lives for free. There are many stories like that all over the place but you will only hear them if you get to know these people. There are also many stories of failure and downright betrayal, crime and extortion. Buddhists would say it depends on your karma, which comes down to our thoughts and actions and really, that's still the best explanation.

It usually isn't possible to see at the beginning how our plans will end but that's the same everywhere, isn't it?



P.S. I should add to my previous post that sometimes you do everything right but it just isn't the time or the place.for you.

hi, we are moving to cambodia ,been here 2 times,how do we get our   one yr visa do we get  aone month business visa, then return to airport, befor it expires,  ask for 3 mth visa, then same and ask for a one year visa,. is this correct

Hi there,
Well obviously Mr.Domo is a crazed Cambodian fan. This is great.  As I said , a pal of mine being offered 6$  an hour is just a joke. A highly educated person with  a   Masters and  a degree in English and they offer that ! Well I won't even bother saying anymore on this subject. But never mind this point. As there is a book called move to Cambodia which actually tells people expect to earn 14$ an hour .teaching. English. So I think somebody has it wrong?? As for listening to negative stories  these stories you listen too are very real , Yes there are good stories and bad stories.. I have been all over  the  world and lived in many  different countries. I'am well aware of good and bad things no matter where you go. And as I said I just like for people to get real and be honest when writing their stories. We can all talk up or down places .This is easy. But the hard thing is to be honest  and fair in your ways of thinking. I can assure you Mr. Domo im certainly not  a negative person. But real YES. Nobody comes to Cambodia thinking it's the latest place to make lots of cash. Because if you do You certainly are mad. But at least to have  a nice experience for the time you are here. As I said before come for a short stay which is wonderful. Good luck.
Sihanoukville.

Cambodia the economic outlook…

Cambodia is an emerging country, a country of opportunities; this is if you have some cash floating around and like to invest. It is my advice, not to be misguided by a 1 year multi entry visa, this is not a work permit, the multi-entry visa allows you to enter and re-enter Cambodia to spend your own cash and enjoy; if Cambodia is a place you like.

The ratio of cheap accommodation, food etc and high income is not yet there and most likely it will never be, just look at other countries, such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Philippines, Indonesia, or Thailand, income, salary in relation to expenditure will equally escalate so will the immigration law and work permit situation.

If you look at a high paid job, let's say as a teacher, well it is my guess you are at the wrong place, rather look at the income you make to be an addition to your projected spending, and being on an extended holiday.

The same goes for owning land, a restaurant or guesthouse, the act, outlays specific rules and regulations, e.g. restaurants and guesthouses / hotel under 100 rooms is not favored to be considered to be operated by expatriates. Land lease can be up to 99 years depending on the business and investment license you apply for, you might have to consider a Cambodian partner if you want to go further.

In a developed country one has a one tire scenario, whereby income versus outflow equals, e.g. an average person will make adequate income to pay all the bills and will have something left over to go on a yearly holiday.

In developing countries a two tire systems applies, locals earn little income and expenditure is equally low, e.g. low rent and local food. The expat community has a high income and equally spends considerable on accommodation and food, basically it balances it out, and hardly one can mix the one with the other. 

In general, I think Cambodia is a great country with many opportunities and with (still) little investment to build a considerable business/income but it is also my guesstimate that things will change and a tighter rule regarding owning a business, immigration etc will be adopted.   

Best Regards
Mike

palmsprings wrote:

Hi there,
Well obviously Mr.Domo is a crazed Cambodian fan.

"Crazed?" Are you joking? Read my post again and it is very balanced. I think I'm a realist and Cambodia is what it is and a challenging place to make a living for locals and foreigners alike.

palmsprings wrote:

This is great.  As I said , a pal of mine being offered 6$  an hour is just a joke. A highly educated person with  a   Masters and  a degree in English and they offer that .

I would not recommend to look for teaching jobs in Cambodia (and expect to find great offers), that was the gist of my reply, which seems to have gone over your head.

palmsprings wrote:

Nobody comes to Cambodia thinking it's the latest place to make lots of cash. .

We certainly are in agreement there

While some certainly have managed, it's very challenging for the average foreigner.


I hope that those that do give the place a try are not purely there because the place seems cheap but because they feel this is where they want to be right now.

daveglen3000 wrote:

hi, we are moving to cambodia ,been here 2 times,how do we get our   one yr visa do we get  aone month business visa, then return to airport, before it expires,  ask for 3 mth visa, then same and ask for a one year visa,. is this correct

No, this is not correct. There are no 3 months visas to the best of my knowledge for the 'Ordinary visa' type, only 6 and 12 months. These are multiple entry visas. No need for visa runs in Cambodia, unless you want to. When you get to the end of the 6/12 months, you simply renew from within the country as described below.

You ask for an "Ordinary visa" at the airport (it will start with the letters "EI" while tourist visas start with "TI"). For length of stay, it should match somewhat.

You can take your passport to Lucky Lucky motorcycle on Monivong Blvd. (very close to Capitol GH, just in the next block down) and request a 6 month or a 12 month extension from the first day of your arrival until before the visa expires. They will always extend from the expiration date of the visa, so even if you go significantly before that, you won't lose any days from your first month.

Real life example: I entered the country 2 March '15, went to Lucky Lucky same afternoon. Got passport back about 5 days later stamped issue date 03 March '15 - Expiration date: 02 October '15 = 7 month validity.

Other places may do this as well but I have only done it at Lucky Lucky so far.

It is not possible that the foreigner can own real estate but they can rent or buy the second floor of a flat but not the land.
Yep, some Cambodian buying and selling things on Internet nowadays!

I am working with smart kid, I hope to join with good partner to run this kinda biz

wath do you think about ,a whisky bar ,,in cambodia

Bars are a dime a dozen in phnom penh and sihanoukville so there's quite a bit of competition for customers. I  think it depends what kind of bar you are planning on opening. will it be a place to eat, drink and watch sports or a girlie bar where customers will buy girlie drinks and you'll collect a bar fine.Other factors are how much you have to invest. to get a true idea or opinion on this site i think you need to be more specific and share a little bit of your concept or business plan.

From what I've been told, most bars in Sihanoukville change hands regularly. There are so many of them, only a handful get enough regular customers to survive. Some, I'm told, cook their books to make it look like they've done better than they have. You have to be careful when buying any business. Not a good idea for newcomers.

ive seen the same and ive only been coming since 2012 although i do know two people that are doing well in sihanoukville. Turnover rate is very high.

Hi all,
    I have just seen this blog and thought I will add my 2 cents, I have been going to Cambodia for the past 6 years and have some insights into how things work. For people who are looking for English teaching jobs, any school offering English teaching would be willing to hire you, Pay depends on where you are from, Khmer gets the least, other Asians are next and if you are from west and white the best pay because it is a good advertisement for the schools. If you are well educated, can try the universities there you may be able to earn between $1200-$2000 a month or so.
   Business is a different ball game all together, English schools are good business, but I think a good vocational school will do great, At least in SR there are not to many teaching you how to fix things like AC and heating, Motorcycles and cars etc, Currently the more traditional ways are starting as an apprentice and taking years to master the trade are more common then anything.
Any business will do good as long as you know what you are doing and has the ability to talk to people and promote your business, Unfortunately most Cambodians are still learning how to ( different things) and are good followers but need direction and, i am sure they are fully capable of getting there but do need guidance, so if you start a business, you have to be the leader.
Don't take me wrong, I love the people, They are honest and hard working, Just not business savvy yet/ It is my hope that After China and Vietnam, Cambodia will become the next frontier.

Where are the best schools to go to in Phnom Penh to look for a teaching position? And do I need to have a teaching degree from the USA or Toefl?

If you are white, there's a bigger chance that they will hire you even if your grammar is ridiculous..as long as you are a native speaker (LOL).most of them are racist so to say.

Yes it is true, if your a true native English speaker that is Caucasian you will most likely get a job at a school.  Foreign teachers get paid about $8 per hour and up.  Most native teachers start at $10 per hour and up.  If you have a TESOL or TOEFL certificate you greater your chances of  getting a job quickly and maybe a higher starting pay.  Experience of course would be nice but they at times ignore it. 

Now the big problem in a lot of the private schools here is the high turn over rate of teachers.  Expats usually don't stay and teach for long.  I've seen teachers work for a few days and abruptly quit.  So they are always in need of teachers.

If you would like to teach go to camhr.com and they have a good list of schools needing teachers.  Try schools such as; Westline, Western International, New York International, Asean International, etc.  There are several so good luck and have fun.

david gaetke wrote:

visa works this way. 30 day tourist in PP airport($30). then travel agent can order (used to be called "business visa') 1 yr for $290+.

This is wrong. A tourist visa can be extended once only and not be changed into the ordinary type. You'd have to leave the country again.

Get an ordinary visa at the airport for $35 or in your country via the Cambodian consulate and that can then be extended for 6/12 months.

I was wondering if any one can share their advice on flipping land.  I am a Cambodian-American so I am able to own land.  What would be good areas to get some get cheap plots to sit on and sale for profit?  I hear there are several plots around 5m * 15m for around 5000 USD. 

Who has experience in this matter and any tips and advice?

sanou01, at the price you are quoting, you will be far away from PP (or any other urban city center, even in "downtown Kampot", I've seen $200 / m2 plots) and it gets harder to predict the future.

Location's # 1, as always. Find an area that you like and make friends. Chances are other people will like it there too. Not sure those who are on to a good deal will be willing to talk.

Reminds me of one of my neighbors in Kampot buying a hectare for $3K (many years ago) and now asking $10 per m2... = $100K per hectare.

I dare to make the prediction that the (beautiful) area near the so called "secret lake" about 13 kms from Kampot will become more popular in the future. A Korean co. has supposedly been buying up a lot of land there for cheap and will build some type of Korean retiree village there.

Hi Jay, Keith here from Ireland....
Is there any farms for rent near you that you would have any ideas for??
I would be interested in finding a partnership if you had an interest we could talk .... I have a small amount of money to invest if you have some ideas??
Warm regards, Keith

Nodisco wrote:

Hi Jay, Keith here from Ireland....
Is there any farms for rent near you that you would have any ideas for??
I would be interested in finding a partnership if you had an interest we could talk .... I have a small amount of money to invest if you have some ideas??
Warm regards, Keith

Hello Keith

Welcome to Expat.com

Kindly note that this thread has been inactive since last year and you may not get any response.

Regards
Kenjee
Expat.com

Hi mate,  would you please tell me about the website that I can earn money from by online writing.

Thanks a lot,
Kim

Wow, trust no one.  Tough words.  Sounds like you have been taken...badly

Most school only accept Native tongue English and certificated teacher ,smh

hi there,
Writing tofind out aboutyour experiences in Cambodia. I am from Singapore and seeking business opportunties there. If you are interested, let's discuss.

Regards
Jazz4me

I'm looking to form partnership with Cambodian who resides in phnom penh. Looking forward to hear from an energetic and motivated person.

I am shortly going to be a out of work "security consultant" specialist in risk/threat management i will be coming to Cambodia 2016 year end (November or December)for wander around and also look for the market for my kind of work, is there a market for specialist security companies/ security consultancy in Cambodia?
I have done my share of work now l am looking out for my self.

Any advice would be valuable and appreciated.
Thanks

I am a Cambodian and I live in Phnom Penh so what can I help you?
I want to make a friend with the foreigner maybe we can discuss together about the Business In Cambodia.