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Employer-sponsored permit for professionals and skilled workers. The Brunei employer applies through the Labour Department; the employee must hold relevant qualifications. Tied to the sponsoring employer.
For semi-skilled and lower-skill workers sponsored by a Brunei employer. Renewable annually; the employer is responsible for the employee including repatriation costs. Open to most nationalities.
Issued to spouse and dependent children of Work Pass holders meeting a minimum salary threshold (typically BND 3,000/month for sponsor). Work authorization is not included and is rarely granted to dependents.
ASEAN member nations enjoy visa-free entry to Brunei for 14-30 days depending on the specific bilateral arrangement. Other nationalities may receive visa-free access based on separate bilateral agreements (e.g., UK, US, EU countries).
Brunei allows citizens of ASEAN member states and many other nationalities to enter visa-free for 14–30 days for tourism or business visits. Longer stays and employment require a Work Pass or Temporary Employment Pass sponsored by a Brunei employer and approved by the Labour Department. Brunei is a small, affluent sultanate on the island of Borneo with a significant expatriate workforce in the energy sector.
All foreign workers in Brunei must be sponsored by a registered employer who applies for a Work Pass or Temporary Employment Pass from the Labour Department. Permits are tied to the specific employer and role; changing employers requires a new permit application. Brunei has a Bruneianization policy prioritizing local workers, so employers must demonstrate the necessity of hiring foreign nationals.
Spouses and dependent children under 18 of work pass holders can obtain a dependent pass valid for the duration of the principal applicant's permit. Dependents do not have automatic work rights and need separate authorization to be employed in Brunei.
Brunei has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax, making it one of the most tax-friendly jurisdictions in Asia for individual expatriates. Corporate tax is 18.5% on chargeable income. There is no VAT or GST in Brunei, and government subsidies keep fuel and utility costs extremely low.
Brunei has an excellent public healthcare system providing heavily subsidized care to citizens and permanent residents; expatriates with valid work passes can access government hospitals at low cost. Brunei's two main government hospitals, RIPAS Hospital and Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hospital, are well-equipped by regional standards. Private clinics in Bandar Seri Begawan also serve expatriates for routine and specialist care.
Opening a bank account in Brunei requires a valid work pass and passport; major banks like BIBD (Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam), Standard Chartered, and Maybank serve the expatriate community. The Brunei Dollar (BND) is pegged at par with the Singapore Dollar (SGD), providing strong currency stability. Banking services are in English and digitally accessible.
Brunei does not have a formal golden visa or investor residency program targeting individuals. The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) facilitates investment approvals for significant projects, particularly in energy, downstream industries, and logistics. Business investors establishing qualifying companies may obtain long-term residence through the company's work pass arrangements.