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Action required: Apply for FEQ 2026 to employ foreign employees in Cambodia.

Written by ,
 2 October 2025.

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) has opened the application period for the 2026 Foreign Employee Quota (FEQ). All enterprises employing or planning to employ foreign employees in 2026 are required to apply via the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) between 1 September and 30 November 2025. Early submission is strongly encouraged, as processing times may take several weeks.

This requirement also applies to newly established factories and enterprises. If your enterprise is formed after this notification and intends to hire foreign employees, you may apply for the FEQ immediately upon commencing operations.

Notably, the MLVT reminds all foreign nationals working in Cambodia that they must apply for a work permit through the FWCMS within 90 calendar days of their initial entry into the country.

Failure to apply by the deadline will result in fines of KHR 12.6 million (approx. US$3,150) as stipulated in Article 264 of the Cambodian Labour Law and Inter-Ministerial Prakas No. 498 dated 31 July 2023.

For further information or to discuss how these regulations might impact your business, please contact us.

Action required: Apply for FEQ 2026 to employ foreign employees in Cambodia

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