Whether you are a local or foreign landlord, it is crucial to stay updated with the latest regulations and laws that affect your responsibilities as a property owner in Cambodia.
One such law is the new FPCS under Circular No. 028 of the Ministry of Interior, released in July 2019, which mandates all landlords and owners of residences to report the presence of foreigners residing in their properties through an online system known as FPCS (Foreigners Present in Cambodia System).
Under the Article 18 of the Law on Immigration, the registration process must be completed within 24 hours from the arrival date of the foreigner. Landlords are responsible for submitting the necessary information through the FPCS app, which is specifically designed to regulate the presence of foreigners in Cambodia.
Despite the fact that it has been effective for some time now, there are some property owners who still remain unaware of its provisions and have yet to fulfill their reporting obligations through the FPCS app. To fully understand why it’s crucial to comply with this new law and avoid the legal consequences, here’s a quick guide on how to use the FPCS app for reporting foreign tenants:
- Download the FPCS app:
- Create an account:
- Open the FPCS app and Click “Create an account” button
- A page will appear where you will need to select either your Passport or National ID for scanning using the device’s camera
- Provide your contact details (only a Cambodian phone number will be accepted) and create a unique password
- A verification code will be sent to your phone via SMS. Enter the code and press “Confirm”.
- Verify your information before proceeding to the next step
- Register your accommodation or property:
- Once your account has been created, go to your profile
- Click on “Create Accommodation” to start registering your property or accommodation
- Fill in details about your property, such as property type, property name, and property address
- Check-in a foreign tenant:
After registering your property, you can now check-in foreign tenants. To do this, you will need a copy of their passport for scanning on the app- Go to Home page and select “Check-in”
- A page will appear where you will need to scan the tenant’s passport using the device’s camera
- Verify the details scanned from the passport
- Fill in the check-in date, check-out date, room number, guest’s visa expiration date, and visa number
Although it is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to do the registration process on FPCS, foreign tenants are strongly advised to inform their landlords of their presence as well.
For landlords, failure to comply with the reporting obligation can have serious consequence. Authorities may take legal actions against non-compliant landlords, leading to potential fines or other penalties. Additionally, it is important for foreigners residing in the properties in Cambodia to be aware that their stay may be affected if the landlord fails to report their presence as they will be unable to extend their Cambodian visa or get necessary permits.
It is important for both the landlords and foreigners to be aware of this new policy and to take the necessary actions in order to prevent the potential legal consequences. Meanwhile, as property managers in Cambodia real estate, IPS takes care of this process on behalf of the landlords, and for the foreign tenants of all our managed properties.
By following this policy, you are not only doing your duty as a landlord but also helping to create a safer and more secure rental community in Cambodia.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice. For any inquiries or assistance specific to the FPCS app, please contact the General Department of Immigration.
KH