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Just finished reading a big thread on k440 about people here on 1 year visas getting told they must pay in arrears for work permits --- even though they are not working here. Having just gone through it there seems to be some real current concerns.

I am here on a 1 year Visa and have no employer here. A handful of you have met me and I am by no means a "bottom feeder". I choose not to work because I do not need to. I am basically using the one year visa as a substitute for a retirement visa. My understanding before doing this, that this was perfectly legal (e.g., I am not working here illegally). I actually prefer living in Cambodia to Thailand and Philippines (both of which offer actual retirement visas).

Is this just another vicious rumour? Or is there actual substance to it?

How is it enforced? (e.g., would i be stopped at airport exit?)

How does a work permit work? (eg, is it stamped into passport? or is it a separate document?)

This seems remarkably shortsighted as many of us do put in a lot into the economy in terms of apartment rentals, living expenses etc. (I know this is Cambodia). Some even have wives/girlfriends/families that they support here even though not working.

Anyway this issue is quite relevant to me now as my Visa expires in a month and I was about to begin a new apartment search.

If these rumors are true I may be forced to go to a country with a proper retirement visa.

Feedback appreciated.

Yep, this would mess with our day, too.

StroppyChops wrote:Yep, this would mess with our day, too.

Seems to be a lot of confusion on this topic right now. Have you gotten any feedback from people in your circles who are not necessarily employed but doing other activities here?

Me? No.

They came to my house once like a year ago. (2 from immigration, 2 from city police and 2 from the sangkat and 1 general)

They knew barangs were living here.

They started out with a song and dance about "work permits, and health checks" etc. etc.

We paid them some "Tea Money", they gave us a document that basically said to leave us alone, if anyone else comes for it.

There seems to be stories about this every year. The cops scout out neighborhoods looking for Barangs and then send in the calvary to do the dirty work. I'm not sure if the current situation in Kampot is the case of the "cops just catching on" or if they are just sick of barangs.

I wouldn't worry, just try to negotiate downwards, or tell them you have to talk to your embassy and lawyer to get the required documents and they will likely leave you alone.

My previous western landlord cops this once a year, says it went up significantly last time, had to argue hard to bring it down to a more reasonable price.

I just dropped my passports off for visa renewal (like (like 20 min ago). No talk of work permit requirements. Prices are as follows from Sophiya Travel in BKK.

Adult 1yr multiple entry visa: $290 (price went up $4 1 month ago)
Child: my son is almost 3: his visa is only $30, up $5 from last year

We also have police occasionally visit our house and ask for passports, visas, etc. I don't think they knew we spoke some Khmer at the time and I heard them asking our landlord if we had money. I interrupted and said we are not paying you money for doing a census on foreigners in the area. Sorry. They packed up and left and have been back twice since then, but haven't asked for a dime.

I'm telling you, be polite, but firm. You DO NOT have to pay bribes to make it here. Stop doing it!

You have nothing to worry about, Rain Dog.

Unfortunately, being Cambodia, it would be impossible for anyone to give you a concrete definite answer, because there isn't one.

The most common time for someone to have trouble for not having a work permit in the past is when they apply for one when a new job requires it.


Easy example:

Johnny's been on holiday for 2 years in Cambodia.

Johnny has been TEFLing for 3 years with no work permit.

^ During the 5 years above, he has always been on the Regular Visa that all of us have. That's it.

He decides to apply at a Law firm now. They require him to be on a work permit.

He goes to get the work permit and they want to back-charge him from the first time he entered Cambodia on a Regular Visa.

He cries and cries, and tells them he wasn't even working the first 2 years he was here.

They don't care. He's not in any trouble. They don't keep his passport and he's not red flagged at the airport. He's not detained or forced to pay any money......BUT.....They WILL NOT process the work permit he needs in order to work at the law firm unless he pays the amount requested.


So, he can either pay what is requested, or he can forget about getting a work permit (which he kind of needs to work at the law firm).

General Mackevili wrote:You have nothing to worry about, Rain Dog.

Unfortunately, being Cambodia, it would be impossible for anyone to give you a concrete definite answer, because there isn't one.

The most common time for someone to have trouble for not having a work permit in the past is when they apply for one when a new job requires it.


Easy example:

Johnny's been on holiday for 2 years in Cambodia.

Johnny has been TEFLing for 3 years with no work permit.

^ During the 5 years above, he has always been on the Regular Visa that all of us have. That's it.

He decides to apply at a Law firm now. They require him to be on a work permit.

He goes to get the work permit and they want to back-charge him from the first time he entered Cambodia on a Regular Visa.

He cries and cries, and tells them he wasn't even working the first 2 years he was here.

They don't care. He's not in any trouble. They don't keep his passport and he's not red flagged at the airport. He's not detained or forced to pay any money......BUT.....They WILL NOT process the work permit he needs in order to work at the law firm unless he pays the amount requested.


So, he can either pay what is requested, or he can forget about getting a work permit (which he kind of needs to work at the law firm).

Thanks. So is this whole Kampot/Kep thing just a police scam?

^ This will be interesting to watch! Who knows what will happen. I'm guessing much ado about nothing.

And what happens to those select few is very unlikely to affect us.

Wasn't this supposed to be all sorted by the end of June?

We'll see.....