Cambodian CM2H vs. Thailand Golden Visa Programs 2023

This article will discuss 10-year residence visas by Thailand and Cambodia – the Cambodian CM2H program and the Thailand Long Term Resident Visa.

Home to three of the largest economies in the world by nominal GDP, Asia is an investment haven for foreign and local investors.

From the Global Peace Index to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings, you will always find Asian countries in the top ten spots of all the global lists that matter.

Moreover, Asia has consistently rolled out red carpets for foreigners willing to live, work, or invest in the continent.

At Nomad Capitalist, we love Asia and everything it has to offer. Why?

Because from lucrative tax incentives to one of the best?offshore banking?options, Asia offers everything a Nomad Capitalist could ever need.

Although not an easy region to get citizenship, Asia makes up for it by putting its best foot forward through its versatile?residency programs.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or a digital nomad, Asia has a?residence visa?for you, and Nomad Capitalist can help you get it. All you have to do is?reach out.

Thailand and Cambodia’s 10-Year Residence Visas 2023

Thailand is not new to the world of RCBI and has issued several types of visas over the years.

From its tourist visa to the non-immigrant visa to the most popular?Thai Elite visa, Thailand has no shortage of visas for foreigners willing to visit the country for various reasons.

And now, with its newly launched 10-year Thailand Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa, the country has expanded its?golden visa?portfolio.

On the other hand,?Cambodia?has recently made its debut in the residence-by-investment world with its?only?government-official 10-year golden visa program, Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H).

Due to the proximity and the similar validity period, many people have compared the two programs in terms of what they offer for the investment required.

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So, let’s see what these neighbors offer in exchange for considerable foreign investment.

Thailand Long-Term Resident Program (Thailand Golden Visa)

Foreigners can live and work in Thailand for ten years under its recent Long-Term Resident (LTR) program.

The program offers several benefits in the tax and non-tax fields to foreigners willing to invest their capital in the country.

The Thai government has introduced the LTR program to drive wealthy and talented foreign residents into the country to improve Thailand’s economy.

The Thai LTR visa targets four categories of foreigners, each with its own requirements.

Foreigner Categories for Thai Long-Term Resident Visa

1. Wealthy Global Citizens

To be considered a wealthy global citizen under the new LTR program, you must:

• Own at least $1 million in assets
• Have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 for the past two years
• Make a minimum investment of $500,000 directly or in Thai government bonds or real estate.

1. Wealthy Pensioners

To be considered a wealthy retiree/pensioner under the new LTR program, you must:

• Be aged fifty years or above
• Have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 at the time of application
• If your annual income is over $40,000, but under $80,000, you must make a minimum investment of $250,000 directly or in Thai government bonds or real estate.

1. Work-from-Thailand Professionals

Following are the requirements if you want to work from Thailand under the new LTR program:

• You must have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 in the past two years.
• If your annual income is over $40,000, but under $80,000, you must hold a Master’s degree or above OR own intellectual property OR receive Series A Funding
• You must show an active and valid employment contract with a local (Thai) or offshore business.
• Your current employer must be a public company on the stock exchange or a private company operating for at least three years with combined revenue of at least $150 million in the last three years.
• You must show at least five years of work experience in relevant fields of your current employment within ten years of the application date.

1. Foreign Experts with Special Skills

Following are the requirements for foreign experts (PhDs, government officials, etc.) looking to get the Thai LTR visa:

• You must have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 in the past two years.
• If your annual income is over $40,000, but under $80,000, you must hold a Master’s degree or above in science and technology OR have particular expertise regarding your Thai job
• You must show an active and valid employment contract with a local (Thai) or offshore business.
• You must show at least five years of work experience in relevant fields of your current employment unless you have a Ph.D. or above.
• No income threshold and work experience are needed if you work for the Thai government.
• You must be employed by a corporate or higher education institution, research institution, specialized training center, or Thai government agency in any of the targeted industries.

All visa applicants must have a health insurance policy covering at least $50,000 worth of medical expenses in Thailand OR at least $100,000 held in a Thai or offshore bank account for no less than twelve months before the date of application.

The application cost for the LTR program is 50,000 Baht.

As an LTR visa holder, you can bring along four dependents, including your spouse and children under 20.

Privileges Offered to Thailand Golden Visa Holders

The latest Thailand Golden Visa, i.e., the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa, offers many benefits ranging from tax reductions to ease of working and doing business in Thailand.

Multiple Entry Renewable Visa

The LTR visa is a 10-year renewable visa divided into two 5-year terms. Initially, you’ll be permitted to stay in the country for five years, after which your visa can be extended for another five years.

The LTR visa holders may exit and enter the country as they please.

Tax Reductions

Thailand taxes personal income at a progressive rate that goes up to 35%, but highly skilled LTR visa holders can expect to pay personal taxes at a reduced rate of 17%.

Moreover, foreign-sourced income is also tax-exempt.

Ease of Working

Thailand offers a wide berth of work privileges to LTR visa holders.

LTR visa holders must apply for a Thai work permit if they want to work from Thailand but don’t have to wait for the issuance of the work permit to continue.

Moreover, they are also exempt from the?four Thais to one?foreigner employment requirement ratio.

Now that we know the requirements and privileges of the latest Thai LTR visa let’s see what Cambodia’s CM2H program is all about.

Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) Program

Cambodia My 2nd Home Program (CM2H) is an initiative launched by the Cambodian Ministry of the Interior (MOI) in collaboration with the Khmer Home Charity Association (KHCA) to attract foreign investment into the country.

The program intends to compete with similar programs in the South East Asian region, like the Thai LTR program and Malaysia’s MM2H visa program.

According to the CM2H official site, Cambodia My 2nd Home Program is the?only government-approved?program that allows foreign individuals to live in?Cambodia?with a Golden Visa for ten years.

Requirements for the Cambodian Golden Visa Program

The CM2H program offers a renewable 10-year visa with no entry or exit restrictions in Cambodia.

Minimum Investment

According to the CM2H website, you must invest a minimum amount of $100,000 in Cambodia to be eligible for the CM2H program.

Moreover, you must own a government-approved Cambodian real estate project.

These are the only two?investment?requirements for the CM2H program.

Other Requirements

In addition to the minimum investment, some other notable CM2H conditions are mentioned below:

• The applicant must be a citizen of a country or region recognized by Cambodia.
• The applicant must be an adult (aged 18 or above).

Benefits of the Cambodian Golden Visa Program

The following are some of the most significant privileges offered by the CM2H program:

Only Official Pathway to Cambodian Citizenship

CM2H visa holders can apply for?Cambodian citizenship?after five years.

Moreover, CM2H is the only government-official pathway to obtaining a Cambodian passport.

Getting a Cambodian passport in only five years is a pretty sweet deal, considering citizenship is usually off the table in the?ASEAN?countries.

Cambodia also has direct citizenship by investment program.

Ease of Working

CM2H visa holders can expect free professional assistance for many of their personal and work-related matters in the country.

Whether it’s?company incorporation, opening?bank accounts, establishing a?trust, or obtaining a Cambodian driver’s license, Khmer Home Charity Association (KHCA) will assist CM2H holders without additional cost.

With the CM2H program, the Cambodian government is doing its best to help foreigners lead privileged life in the country.

Other notable privileges include one-year free medical insurance in Cambodia and VIP access at Cambodian airports.

Cambodia My 2nd Home Program vs. Thailand LTR Program

The latest Thailand Golden Visa seems far more detailed at first glance than the CM2H program.

On the other hand, the CM2H program seems more flexible than the Thailand LTR program because it doesn’t require specific medical coverage or offshore capital proof.

CM2H offers a five-year pathway to Cambodian citizenship, whereas the Thai LTR visa neither leads to?citizenship?nor permanent residence.

But, Cambodia is still a newbie in the Residence by Investment (RBI) world and has a lot to learn from its well-known neighbor with a more powerful?passport?in terms of travel freedom.

In essence, both countries are trying their best to pull foreign investment to their shores and make a name for themselves in the RCBI world.

Thailand’s LTR program is the latest name in the long list of Thai residence programs.

High-net-worth?individuals looking for a more high-profile residence visa with exceptional privileges can look into the Thailand Elite Residence Program.

Thai Elite Residence Program

Managed by the Thailand Privilege Card Company, the Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term residence visa (Privilege Entry Visa) allowing foreigners to reside in Thailand for five to twenty years, depending on their chosen route.

The visa holders can enjoy privileges like government concierge services, VIP airport services, etc.

The following are the qualifying routes under the Thailand Elite Residence Program:

• Elite Easy Access
• Elite Privilege Access
• Elite Family Excursion
• Elite Family Alternative
• Elite Superiority Extension
• Elite Ultimate Privilege Option
• Elite Family Premium
• Flexible One Program

Elite Ultimate Privilege and Elite Family Premium programs also have an annual fee.

Which Golden Visa to Get?

Cambodia has made its debut in the Golden Visa world with its CM2H program, while Thailand seems to be consistently expanding its?residence?visa programs.

Whether you want a five-year residence visa or more, Thailand has got you covered.

Moreover, these are not the only options in the region or the world. More and more countries are introducing residence-by-investment programs to attract wealthy foreigners to their shores and improve their economies.

A few decades back, the problem was a lack of options. Today, it’s the opposite.

There are too many residency and?citizenship by investment programs?worldwide offering you a range of benefits for your investment.

The trick is to find the program that works best for you, and that’s where we come in.

We have helped over a thousand clients go where they are?treated?best, and we would love to do the same for you.

Want us to make your offshore dream a reality??Reach out.