More than 100 Thai nationals who entered Cambodia illegally were deported through the Poipet International Border Checkpoint in March 2025. - Interior Ministry via PPP/ANN
PHNOM PENH: Property owners or managers of “collective residential premises”, like guesthouses or apartment buildings, will face stiff financial penalties for hosting foreigners who dwell in the Kingdom illegally. A new sub-decree made Wednesday (Jan 7), will see them fined four million riel (US$1,000) for each illegal resident, in addition to existing legal penalties.
The sub-decree, on the “Management of Security and Safety at Collective Residential Premises”, signed by Prime Minister Hun Manet on January 5, is described as aiming to ensure security, social safety and public order.
It applies to all heads of units, owners or managers of collective residential premises, as well as residents at such premises throughout Cambodia, apart from properties managed by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the National Police.
The sub-decree defines “collective residential premises” as collective accommodation and/or housing of public or private institutions or enterprises, including condos, apartments, resorts, bungalows, co-owned buildings, factories, enterprises, farms, special economic zones, economic land concession areas, guesthouses, hotels, dormitories, pagodas, religious buildings and orphanages, among others.
“Competent authorities who fail to perform their duties with integrity and who intentionally conceal foreigners who have entered the Kingdom of Cambodia illegally and allow them to stay at any collective residential premises within their jurisdiction shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal from public service, without prejudice to any criminal penalties prescribed under existing laws,” it stipulated.
The heads of units, owners, or managers of collective residential premises are obligated to record all residents in registries, either in paper and/or electronic form, as prescribed by the authorities. The list of registered residents must be provided to commune authorities within 24 hours.
Before allowing foreigners to stay at premises under their responsibility, they must require foreigners to present documents proving their legal right to stay in Cambodia.
They must, upon request, provide competent authorities with the security and safety system layout of residential buildings within the premises under their responsibility.
The sub-decree also requires that all data recorded by security cameras at collective residential premises be retained for at least 90 days, while entry and exit records must be retained for at least one year.
The Ministry of Interior is responsible for leading the implementation of the sub-decree and may delegate responsibilities related to residence management and security and safety management at collective residential premises to municipal, provincial, city or district administrations. These administrations shall be accountable to the ministry for carrying out any delegated responsibilities. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
