Doc67 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:19 am

Apparition wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:30 pm Hey everyone,

Here's the long version; I'm a professional musician in the UK. During lockdown I had a long think about life (I'm sure you can relate) and I decided I wanted to get out of the UK and try something new. I still make music and make a decent-ish (thanks spotify) income from it, but I realised I can survive without having to DJ if I really need to. I was originally planning on going to Vietnam, and even learned the language to a reasonable level. However, Vietnam have now reformed their visas, and it won't really work for me (at least I got a language out of it and made some friends).

I am interested in seeing what life in Cambodia is like. But I would like to know what the reality of getting a visa is like, because I don't want to just womble around SE Asia on tourist visas (I'm 40, I'm pretty sure backpacking is illegal at this point). I am working on getting a TEFL qualification, as I'd be happy to teach if it offered me the chance to stay for a while.

Does anyone have any ideas/advice/moral support?

Thanks for reading my essay,

Jon

You can arrive on a Tourist visa (available online), and you can now convert those, while still in country, to a 1 year EB visa which will cost you about $375 for a year (hassle and paperwork free) or cheaper if you actually have a real job and can prove it. I have a good agent who is widely known and respected on this forum: 'Call Kim' +855 92 256 388. You can WhatsApp her from the UK with any queries. That's it, your visa worries are now over, it's just an expense.

Once you book your flight and are definitely coming over you can ask any specifics on the Ask the Expats section on this forum, it was by far the best resource when I got here.

As for house hunting, do a full list of what you want / don't want and post it in the Housing section. You'll be swamped with advice, and much will be useful. The housing stock here will be a culture shock for you, but it can be very cheap as long as you're not too fussy. And there is non of that credit or background check bullshit; You find, you sign and pay, you get the keys - on the same day

Just do it...

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:07 pm

Doc67 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:19 am

Apparition wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:30 pm

Thanks, Doc, I appreciate it. This is really useful & comforting info to read. Proving what I do to get visas is right pain in the arse (I've jumped through those flaming sh*t-coated hoops for USA work visas before) so if I can just pay that would be preferable. This was kind of my issue with Vietnam, seems like the visa run culture might be over.

I'm definitely coming over, I'm waiting until June to get all my stuff in order here.

Thanks for the housing info; this country seems like it has my kind of attitude towards red tape.

I don't think the Vietnam gig is up you just need to be in country and greasing the right palms as in most SEA nations?
Personally I prefer the Khmer they are more laid back and the ladies aren't as cold as their Vietnamese counterparts,although the English speaking Vietnamese men I met seemed very friendly when compared with the rather xenophobic Thai males?

Singapore Slinger wrote: ↑Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:12 am

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:07 pm

Doc67 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:19 am

Apparition wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:30 pm

Thanks, Doc, I appreciate it. This is really useful & comforting info to read. Proving what I do to get visas is right pain in the arse (I've jumped through those flaming sh*t-coated hoops for USA work visas before) so if I can just pay that would be preferable. This was kind of my issue with Vietnam, seems like the visa run culture might be over.

I'm definitely coming over, I'm waiting until June to get all my stuff in order here.

Thanks for the housing info; this country seems like it has my kind of attitude towards red tape.

I don't think the Vietnam gig is up you just need to be in country and greasing the right palms as in most SEA nations?
Personally I prefer the Khmer they are more laid back and the ladies aren't as cold as their Vietnamese counterparts,although the English speaking Vietnamese men I met seemed very friendly when compared with the rather xenophobic Thai males?

My ex is Vietnamese, cold as the ice planet Hoth...maybe that's my fault, though.

You're probably right, but I'll still go to Cambodia first. I like what I'm reading about it, laid back works for me and it sounds a bit 'edgier' than Vietnam.

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 6:54 pm Thanks, I'm not sure there's much call for drum & bass in Cambodia, though!

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 6:54 pm

Gazzy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 6:29 am There's something for everyone here. Visas are easy to come by. It's an easy place to live. The music scene, used to be pretty vibrant, now it's dull, so any contribution is appreciated. I say c'mon over matey.

Thanks, I'm not sure there's much call for drum & bass in Cambodia, though!

dbigwalker wrote: ↑Sat Apr 16, 2022 5:08 pm

Apparition wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 6:54 pm

Gazzy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 6:29 am There's something for everyone here. Visas are easy to come by. It's an easy place to live. The music scene, used to be pretty vibrant, now it's dull, so any contribution is appreciated. I say c'mon over matey.

Thanks, I'm not sure there's much call for drum & bass in Cambodia, though!

How about blues, jazz and funk?