Remittances are a significant source of income for many Cambodian households, with the World Bank estimating inflows equivalent to approximately 5% of GDP in recent years. This guide covers the major providers, key corridors, fees, and regulations for sending and receiving money in Cambodia.
Cambodia has a large migrant worker population, with hundreds of thousands of Cambodians working in Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, and beyond. Remittances from these workers represent a critical income source for rural households and contribute meaningfully to Cambodia's GDP.
According to the World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide database, the cost of sending money to Cambodia has declined over the past decade as digital providers have increased competition. However, the average cost of sending $200 to Cambodia remains above the World Bank's 3% target, highlighting ongoing opportunities for fintech innovation in this space.
The National Bank of Cambodia regulates remittance service providers under the Law on Negotiable Instruments and Payment Transactions. All operators must be licensed and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) requirements.
| Origin Country | Primary Reason | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Large Cambodian migrant worker population | High |
| South Korea | EPS (Employment Permit System) workers | High |
| Malaysia | Cambodian construction and manufacturing workers | Medium-High |
| USA | Cambodian diaspora (est. 300,000+) | Medium |
| Japan | Technical intern trainees (Tokutei Ginou) | Growing |
| Australia | Cambodian diaspora and students | Medium |
Cambodia's largest mobile money operator; extensive agent network for cash pickup nationwide
Available through partner banks and agents across Cambodia; widely trusted for international transfers
Available through ACLEDA Bank and other partner institutions in Cambodia
Specialises in remittances from Korean and Japanese workers back to Cambodia
Full SWIFT capabilities for international wire transfers; also supports cross-border KHQR for linked countries
Not locally licensed in Cambodia; used by expats and diaspora sending money to Cambodian bank accounts
* Fee and speed information is indicative. Contact providers for current rates. Last updated June 2026.
Remittance service providers in Cambodia must be licensed by the National Bank of Cambodia under the Law on Negotiable Instruments and Payment Transactions. The NBC issues PRAKAS (sub-decrees) governing the conditions for licensing, capital requirements, and operational standards for money transfer operators.
Cambodia is a member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) and has implemented AML/CTF frameworks aligned with FATF recommendations. Remittance providers must conduct customer due diligence (CDD), maintain transaction records, and report suspicious transactions to the NBC's Financial Intelligence Unit.
The Bakong cross-border payment linkages with Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and China are creating new regulated channels for remittances at lower cost, potentially reducing reliance on informal transfer methods.
Use the World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide tool to compare costs across providers for your specific corridor.
Digital providers like Wise and Wing's app typically offer lower fees than cash-based agents.
Ensure your recipient can receive via bank transfer, mobile wallet, or cash pickup depending on their location and access.
If sending from Thailand, Malaysia, or South Korea, cross-border KHQR payments via Bakong may offer a fast, low-cost alternative.