Teaching English Online from Cambodia: A Complete Guide

Cambodia offers a refreshing balance for anyone looking to work online while experiencing life in Southeast Asia. It’s one of the region’s most affordable countries, and that low cost of living stretches far—meaning even part-time online work can cover your basic needs. Cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have fast Wi-Fi, plenty of cafés and coworking spots, and a surprisingly strong community of teachers, creatives, and digital nomads.

The TEFL scene here is steadily growing, but it’s less saturated than in nearby Thailand or Vietnam. That means more opportunities to carve out your own teaching path—whether that’s online, in-person, or a mix of both. The lifestyle is slow-paced but lively, and the locals are known for their warmth and openness toward foreigners.

Whether you’re working from a riverside café in Kampot or a studio apartment in the capital, Cambodia makes it easy to focus on teaching while enjoying the freedom that comes with working remotely.

Who This Guide Is For

This is for the English teacher who wants more than just a job—it’s for the traveler who wants to stay a little longer, the freelancer who wants a cheap place to build their student base, and the classroom teacher looking to earn a little extra on the side.

If you’re already teaching English in Cambodia, picking up a few online students can seriously boost your monthly income without adding much to your workload. If you’re arriving as a digital nomad or remote worker, online teaching is a great way to support yourself while living in one of the easiest countries to settle in long-term.

It’s also a solid option for new teachers who want to gain experience without diving straight into a competitive job market. Cambodia has enough flexibility to try things out, adjust your schedule, and see what works best for your lifestyle.

Internet, Work Environment, and Infrastructure

Cambodia might not be the first place that comes to mind for remote work, but it’s more prepared than you’d think. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, high-speed internet is widely available, especially in apartments, hotels, and coworking spaces. Wi-Fi speeds are generally reliable enough for video calls and online classes—just make sure to test the connection before signing a long-term lease.

Coworking spaces are growing steadily, especially in Phnom Penh, where places like The Desk and Emerald Hub offer quiet, AC-cooled environments with stable internet and flexible memberships. Siem Reap also has a few cozy coworking cafés that cater to travelers working online. If you’re staying in a guesthouse or hostel, you’ll often find a strong enough connection for casual work—but it’s worth checking in advance if you plan to teach daily.

Teaching from home is common, but a few essentials make the difference: a backup mobile hotspot (Smart and Metfone offer decent coverage), noise-cancelling headphones, and a quiet setup away from street traffic or construction. In smaller towns like Kampot or Kep, internet can be patchier and power outages more frequent, so always have a Plan B—whether that’s a fully charged laptop or a local café with backup power.

Types of Online English Teaching Jobs

Global Teaching Platforms

The easiest way to get started teaching English online from Cambodia is through international platforms. Companies like Cambly, Preply, italki, AmazingTalker, and Engoo let you connect with students around the world, set your own schedule, and teach from wherever you’re living.

These platforms have varying requirements. Some are open to non-native speakers and don’t require a degree or TEFL certificate (Cambly), while others are more selective. Pay rates typically range from $8 to $25 USD per hour depending on experience, platform, and student type.

Cambodia’s timezone (GMT+7) works perfectly with student demand in China, Korea, Japan, and even the Middle East—making it easier to line up a consistent schedule without pulling all-nighters.

👉 Explore your options on our full Teach English Online Guide.

Local and Regional Platforms

Cambodia doesn’t have as many well-known local online platforms, but opportunities still exist. Some language centers—especially in Phnom Penh—offer hybrid or online-only classes, often using Zoom or Facebook groups to connect students and teachers.

You’ll also find ad-hoc tutoring jobs through local expat Facebook groups like “Teaching Jobs Cambodia” or “Expats in Phnom Penh.” These gigs might involve working with local families, international school students, or even adults prepping for IELTS or TOEFL.

It’s not unusual for in-person teaching contracts to evolve into part-time online lessons—particularly during holidays or if students travel. If you're already teaching in a school, it's worth asking if your employer offers or allows online options as part of your role.

Freelance and Private Students

Going freelance is one of the most rewarding paths if you’re confident managing your own schedule and marketing yourself. Many online teachers in Cambodia build a client base of students from around the world, or even pick up private clients locally through referrals.

You can start by offering trial lessons via marketplaces like Preply or italki, then transition long-term students to private arrangements. Niche offerings like pronunciation coaching, IELTS prep, or conversation fluency tend to attract the most reliable students.

For payments, most freelancers use Wise, PayPal, or Stripe, depending on where their students are based. Cambodia doesn’t have the best local banking system for online work, so international accounts are key to getting paid smoothly.

With the low cost of living, even a handful of consistent students can go a long way—giving you more freedom to travel, save, or just enjoy your time without financial pressure.

Visa Options and Legal Considerations

One of the big advantages of living and working online from Cambodia is how relaxed the visa system is. Compared to neighboring countries, it’s refreshingly simple and flexible—especially for long-term stays.

Tourist and E-Class Visas
You can enter Cambodia on a 30-day tourist visa (T-class) and extend it once, but most people doing longer stays opt for the Ordinary Visa (E-class), which you can convert into a 6- or 12-month extension. These are often labeled as “business visas” but don’t necessarily require you to work for a registered Cambodian company.

The most common extension for teachers, remote workers, and freelancers is the EG visa (general extension), followed by the ER (retirement) and EB (business/working) extensions. These are relatively easy to get through a visa agent without jumping through too many hoops.

Can You Legally Teach Online from Cambodia?
This is where it gets a bit grey. Technically, Cambodian visas don’t explicitly permit or prohibit working online for foreign clients. Because your income isn’t Cambodian-sourced and doesn’t take a job from a local, most online teachers operate without issue—especially if you're not advertising local services publicly.

If you’re teaching online as a side hustle while working in-person at a school, it’s even more common—and generally seen as fine by employers and immigration alike.

What Most Online Teachers Do

• Arrive on an E-class visa and extend it with an EG or EB visa for 6 or 12 months
• Work entirely online without registering a local business
• Maintain a low profile if working for private clients
• Use international payment platforms (like Wise or PayPal) to receive earnings

Cambodia’s approach is refreshingly low-enforcement, but it’s still smart to avoid advertising yourself as “open for business” to local clients unless you're fully legal. Teaching online for students overseas remains the safest and most common option.

Cost of Living vs. Online Teaching Income

Cambodia is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia to live in—especially if you're earning in USD through online teaching. Whether you’re staying in the capital, a tourist town, or a small riverside city, it doesn’t take much to live comfortably.

Typical Monthly Costs

• Phnom Penh: $600–$1,000 for a private apartment, meals out, transport, SIM/data, and basics
• Siem Reap: $500–$900 for a similar lifestyle, a bit cheaper and more relaxed
• Kampot/Kep: $400–$800 if you’re living simply and cooking more often

Rent ranges from $200–$400/month for a private studio or 1-bedroom apartment in most cities. Utilities and fast internet add another $50–$100, and food costs are low—local meals cost $2–$3, while Western options run $5–$10.

How Much Do You Need to Earn?
To live well in Cambodia as an online teacher:

• $800/month is enough to get by modestly
• $1,200/month allows for regular comforts and some savings
• $1,500+/month means full comfort, travel, and the ability to save or reinvest

Even if you're working just 15–20 hours a week online, that’s usually enough to cover your base expenses. If you add in-person teaching on the side, you can easily boost your income to $2,000/month or more.

Combining Income Sources
Many teachers in Cambodia use a hybrid strategy:

• Local teaching job for visa sponsorship and a steady paycheck
• Online teaching for flexibility, extra income, and global experience

This setup offers stability while keeping the freedom to grow your income on your terms—and it makes living in Cambodia not just affordable, but genuinely enjoyable.

Best Places in Cambodia for Online Teachers

Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s capital is where most of the country’s teaching jobs, coworking spaces, and reliable infrastructure are concentrated. Internet speeds are strong in most parts of the city, and there’s no shortage of modern apartments, cafés, and quiet corners to work from. The cost of living is still low by regional standards, though slightly higher than in smaller towns. It’s a good fit for teachers who want a balance between work, social life, and creature comforts—plus access to embassies, hospitals, and decent shopping.

Siem Reap

Famous for being the gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap has transformed into a chill, creative hub with a surprisingly strong remote work scene. It’s smaller and quieter than Phnom Penh, but still offers good internet, affordable housing, and a growing number of coworking cafés. Because it’s a major tourist spot, there’s a lot of English spoken and a steady flow of new people passing through. The atmosphere is more relaxed, and the pace of life makes it ideal for teachers who want to work a few hours a day and enjoy their surroundings.

Kampot & Kep

Down by the coast, Kampot and Kep offer a slower, more scenic version of expat life. These towns are popular with people looking to unplug while still getting work done. Internet can be hit or miss depending on your building or provider, so it’s essential to test speeds or bring a backup mobile connection. You won’t find coworking spaces everywhere, but plenty of quiet cafés serve the same purpose. These towns are ideal for experienced teachers who already have a steady stream of students and want a break from busy cities.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

• Phnom Penh: Great infrastructure and job access, but busy and hotter
• Siem Reap: Balanced, friendly, touristy, good amenities
• Kampot/Kep: Peaceful and scenic, but limited resources and slower pace

Where you base yourself really depends on your teaching style and lifestyle goals—but the good news is that it’s easy (and cheap) to move around and try a few places before settling in.

Pros and Cons of Teaching English Online from Cambodia

✅ Pros

• Low cost of living – You don’t need a big salary to live well. Even part-time online work can fund a comfortable lifestyle.
• Visa flexibility – Long-term stays are possible without complicated paperwork or constant border runs.
• Relaxed pace of life – Cambodia is a great place to slow down, focus on teaching, and enjoy your time abroad without burnout.
• Strategic time zone – Teaching students in Asia or Europe is easy to schedule from Cambodia.
• Easy to combine with in-person work – Many teachers build a hybrid routine of classroom and online teaching to diversify income.

⚠️ Cons

• Internet can be unreliable – Especially outside the main cities. Always have a mobile backup or choose your apartment carefully.
• Fewer local online platforms – Most opportunities come from global companies or freelance work, not Cambodian-specific platforms.
• Limited professional networking – Cambodia has a smaller digital nomad and TEFL crowd than places like Thailand or Vietnam.
• Banking and payments – Local banking is less integrated with international platforms, so you’ll rely on services like Wise or PayPal.

For teachers who value independence, flexibility, and affordability, Cambodia is one of the easiest and most enjoyable countries to teach online from—even if it requires a little extra resourcefulness along the way.

Tips for Succeeding as an Online Teacher in Cambodia

Teaching online from Cambodia can be smooth and rewarding, but it helps to plan ahead—especially if you’re moving between cities or working with international clients.

Create a reliable workspace.
Whether you're in Phnom Penh or a sleepy beach town, make sure your internet is strong enough for video calls. Choose an apartment with fiber if possible, or pick up a local SIM card with data (Smart and Metfone are solid options) to use as a hotspot. Have a quiet corner set up with decent lighting, a good headset, and a comfortable chair—these small things go a long way in making lessons more professional.

Stay organized.
Juggling students across platforms and time zones can get messy quickly. Use tools like Google Calendar, Notion, or even Trello to keep track of classes, student progress, and scheduling preferences. Always double-check time zones, especially during daylight saving changes in other countries.

Make payments easy.
Since most platforms and private students won’t pay into Cambodian bank accounts, set up international services like Wise, Payoneer, or PayPal to receive funds. Keep in mind that some platforms only support specific methods, so check this before committing to one.

Plan for power and tech issues.
In smaller towns, occasional power cuts are part of life. Keep your devices charged, consider a power bank or small backup battery, and always have a hotspot ready. Let students know if you’re in a location where disruptions might happen—it helps set realistic expectations and builds trust.

Is Cambodia a Good Base for Teaching English Online?

Cambodia suits a particular kind of teacher—the kind who values freedom, flexibility, and doesn’t mind a little unpredictability now and then.

It’s a great fit for:

• New teachers who want to build experience while living affordably
• Budget-conscious digital nomads who need to stretch their income
• Freelancers or side-hustlers combining online teaching with other projects
• In-person teachers looking to top up their salary or transition online

If you’re after a highly structured, ultra-modern setup, Cambodia might not be your ideal destination. But if you're adaptable, self-directed, and want to enjoy Southeast Asia without breaking the bank, it offers the perfect mix of work and adventure.

Many teachers use Cambodia as a starting point, gaining experience and saving money before moving on to more expensive countries—or they fall in love with the rhythm of life and end up staying much longer than expected.

Useful Resources and Next Steps

• Teach English in Cambodia – Learn about in-person teaching opportunities, qualifications, and visa options.
• English Teaching Jobs in Cambodia – See current job openings across Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and beyond.
• Teach English Online Guide – Compare top platforms, freelance tips, and payment tools to start your online teaching journey.