As far as we know Cambodia is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are notarised in Cambodia, legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and then attested by the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh. Indian citizens can usually sign before the Indian consular officer. Cambodia is not a reciprocating territory, it is a New York Convention country, and India and Cambodia have signed a tax treaty.
- Document route
- Cambodian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 behind Cambodia all year
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- Not in force as far as known: consular attestation (check current status)
Indians in Cambodia and Cambodian business with India
The Indian community in Cambodia is small but active, with businesses in garments, pharmaceuticals, IT, hospitality and trading, and professionals working for multinational and development organisations. Cambodian importers buy pharmaceuticals, vehicles and machinery from India, and Indian firms invest in Cambodian manufacturing. At the same time, the Indian government has reported thousands of Indians lured to Cambodia with fake jobs and forced to work in cyber scam operations, and many Indians in India have lost money to scams run from there.
We help with powers of attorney, property in India, trade contracts, recovering money from Indian parties, and the Indian legal side of cyber fraud and criminal matters connected with Cambodia.
Signing documents in Cambodia for use in India
Cambodia is not, as far as we are aware, a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents follow the legalisation route. Confirm the current position with us before you sign. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a notary or have your signature certified by the competent authority in Cambodia, with your passport.
- Have the document legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Phnom Penh.
- Have it attested by the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, then courier it to India and stamp it within three months.
Indian citizens can usually sign directly before the Indian consular officer, which is the simplest route. Khmer documents need a certified English translation.
Most requested services from Cambodia
These six services cover most of what people and businesses in Cambodia, and families affected by Cambodian scams, need from an Indian lawyer.
Power of Attorney
Sign at the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh and let a relative act for you in India.
Buying & Selling Property
Indians working in Cambodia buy and sell Indian property through an attorney holder.
Commercial Contracts
Trade and supply contracts between Cambodian and Indian companies, with enforceable arbitration.
Cyber & Investment Fraud
Complaints, FIRs and recovery for victims of scams run from Cambodia and their families.
Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Advice and anticipatory bail for returnees questioned over scam centre activity.
Money Recovery from India
Cambodian importers and exporters recover unpaid dues from Indian parties.
Scam centres, trafficking and fraud
Indian nationals have been recruited through social media and agents for well-paid jobs in Cambodia, only to have their passports taken and be forced to run online frauds targeting people in India. The Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh has helped rescue many of them. In India, recruiting agents can be prosecuted for trafficking under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and for illegal recruitment under the Emigration Act 1983. Returnees may be questioned by police investigating the frauds, and should take legal advice before giving statements.
People in India who have lost money to scams traced to Cambodia should report on cybercrime.gov.in or helpline 1930 immediately, because quick freezing of the receiving accounts gives the best chance of recovery.
Tax, property and moving money
India and Cambodia signed a double taxation avoidance agreement in 2015. Cambodian tax residents can claim treaty benefits on some Indian income with a tax residence certificate and Form 10F. NRIs in Cambodia can buy and sell Indian property, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, freely, and repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account after tax. Cambodian citizens without OCI status generally cannot buy property in India.
Cambodian judgments and contracts
Cambodia has not been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, so a Cambodian judgment can only found a fresh suit in India. Cambodia is a party to the New York Convention, so arbitration awards can generally be enforced in India. For contracts with Indian parties, an arbitration clause seated in Singapore or India is usually the safest option.
All services for clients in Cambodia
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Cambodia
The Embassy in Phnom Penh provides passport, consular and attestation services and assists Indian nationals in distress, including victims of trafficking.
- Embassy of India, Phnom Penh
Frequently asked questions
Does Cambodia issue apostilles for documents going to India?
As far as we know Cambodia is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are legalised by the Cambodian Ministry and attested by the Indian Embassy.
My brother is stuck in a scam company in Cambodia. What should we do?
Contact the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh at once, and file a complaint in India against the recruiting agent.
I returned from Cambodia and the police want to question me. Do I need a lawyer?
Yes. Take advice before giving any statement, and consider anticipatory bail if there is a risk of arrest.
I lost money to a scam run from Cambodia. Can it be recovered?
Report on cybercrime.gov.in or 1930 immediately. Recovery is possible if the receiving accounts are frozen in time.
Can a Cambodian judgment be enforced in India?
Not directly. A fresh suit is needed.
Is there a tax treaty between India and Cambodia?
Yes, signed in 2015.
Can I sign a power of attorney at the Embassy?
In most cases yes, if you are an Indian citizen and have an appointment.
How do we communicate?
By email and WhatsApp day to day, and video calls when we need to talk things through. Cambodia is 1 hour 30 minutes ahead of India.