Thai citizens moving to Brunei Darussalam
Thai nationals typically move to Brunei Darussalam through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Immigration and National Registration Department (Brunei), so check each route below for its primary source.
We cover 6 Brunei routes — 4 can be started without a job offer, and 2 lead to permanent residence.
Tourist entry
No. Thai nationals require a visa to enter Brunei Darussalam, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
No nationality-specific treaty routes apply.
Consular processing: a Brunei Darussalam consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
What this means for Thai citizens
Of the 6 Brunei Darussalam routes we cover, 4 can be started without an employer sponsor and 2 can lead to permanent residence. Expect a language test or qualification-recognition step, since language alignment is only partial.
All Brunei Darussalam routes open to Thai applicants
General routes available to all nationalities. Click any to read the full guide.
Work Pass (employer-sponsored employment)
For you if a Brunei employer has offered you a job: the Work Pass is the standard, employer-sponsored route into paid employment, handled by the immigration department's Foreign Work Pass division alongside a valid visa.
Job offer required · Temporary
Long-Term Pass (social, business or professional)
For you if you want a multi-year basis to stay in Brunei: the Long-Term Pass is a newer route with social, business and professional sub-categories - but please read the dated note, because it only took effect at the end of 2024.
No job offer needed · Temporary
Entry Permit (route toward permanent resident status)
For you if you are working toward settling in Brunei: the Entry Permit is the document the immigration department processes for permanent resident status, so this is the formal route toward becoming a permanent resident.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Permanent Residence (discretionary, long-term)
For you if you intend to settle in Brunei for life: permanent residence confirms a long-term right to live there - but please read the honesty note, because it is discretionary and typically takes around fifteen years.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Dependent Pass (family of pass holders)
For you if your spouse or parent holds a Brunei work pass: the Dependent Pass lets close family live in Brunei for the validity of the main holder's pass - though it does not, by itself, let you work.
Job offer required · Temporary
Student Pass (foreign students)
For you if you have a place to study in Brunei: the Student Pass lets you live in the country for the length of your course, linked to your enrolment at a recognised institution.
No job offer needed · Temporary
Frequently asked questions
Can Thai citizens enter Brunei Darussalam without a visa?+
No. Thai nationals require a visa to enter Brunei Darussalam, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Which Brunei Darussalam visa routes are best suited to Thai applicants?+
Thai nationals typically move to Brunei Darussalam through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Immigration and National Registration Department (Brunei), so check each route below for its primary source.
Where do Thai applicants typically apply for a Brunei Darussalam visa?+
Applications are typically processed at a Brunei Darussalam consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Brunei Darussalam's immigration authority without a consular visit.
Do Thai citizens need a job offer to move to Brunei Darussalam?+
Not necessarily. 4 of the 6 Brunei Darussalam routes we cover can be started without an employer sponsor, while the rest need a sponsoring employer or job offer. If you do not have an offer yet, the no-sponsor routes are the place to start.
Can Thai citizens get permanent residence in Brunei Darussalam?+
Yes. 2 of the 6 Brunei Darussalam routes we cover lead toward settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.