Okay, so, I needed a Cambodian ID card. Not for anything shady, just, you know, regular stuff. Turns out, getting one isn’t as straightforward as you might think, especially if you’re trying to do it all online.
First off, I did some digging. Apparently, these things are called “eIDs,” which makes sense, ’cause everything’s electronic these days. You gotta be at least 15 years old to get one, and you need it for a bunch of official stuff, like dealing with the government or opening a bank account. Pretty standard ID card stuff. But it is not a passport so if you want to leave the country you need a visa and pay for it.
Now, I’m not going to lie, the process is a bit of a blur. You can find the website easily. I spent hours reading through forums and government websites. Some people said it was easy peasy, others made it sound like a nightmare. I guess it all depends on your luck, right? But you should know that some banks in Cambodia ask for ID cards as collateral, which is a common thing.

So I found this website. I filled out a bunch of forms online. Name, address, you name it. Then came the tricky part: the photo. It had to be just right, like a passport photo but with different rules. White background, no smiling, ears visible. It took me a few tries to get it right. My ears are kind of small, you see, so making them show without looking like a goofball was a challenge.
After that, I had to wait. And wait. And wait some more. They say it takes a few weeks, but for me, it felt like forever. I checked my email every day, hoping for an update. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I got an email saying my application was approved! I had to go to a local office to pick it up and get my fingerprints scanned.
- Step 1: Find a reliable website to start your application.
- Step 2: Fill in your personal details in the online form.
- Step 3: Take a photo that meets all their specific requirements.
- Step 4: Submit the application and wait for processing. This might take some time.
- Step 5: Once approved, visit a designated office to finalize the process.
The office visit was another adventure. Long lines, lots of paperwork, and a whole lot of waiting. But eventually, I got it. My very own Cambodian ID card. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t quick, but I did it. So, if you’re planning on getting a Cambodian ID card online, be prepared for a bit of a journey. It’s doable, but you’ll need patience, a good internet connection, and a bit of luck. There’s news said that the police have notified Cambodians and foreign nationals who hold Cambodian citizenship about the process of renewing or applying for family and residence. If you are a foreigner, you may also need to apply for it.
Honestly, the whole thing was more of a hassle than I expected. But hey, now I can say I’ve successfully navigated the Cambodian ID card system. And if I can do it, you probably can too.