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Brunei · Relocation guide

Moving to Brunei: a practical relocation guide

Brunei employment is sponsor-led: the employer or licensed agent obtains labour approvals and the work visa/pass, followed by medical and endorsement steps. Dependants need their own pass and should not assume permission to work.

Content updated 12 September 2026. Individual source-check dates are listed below.

Start with a genuine sponsor

The Immigration Department work-pass page requires an employer or sponsor letter, Labour Department foreign-worker licence and job order, passport and forms. The overseas mission endorsement and medical checks are part of the sequence.

Long-term, dependant and entry-permit routes serve different purposes. A dependant pass does not itself authorise employment.

Start with a genuine sponsor
PlanRoute to examineDependency
Private employmentWork Pass (employer-sponsored employment)Employer labour licence, immigration approval and endorsement.
Accompany workerDependent Pass (family of pass holders)Sponsor relationship and separate pass; check work rights.
Longer non-work stayLong-Term Pass (social, business or professional)Use only the qualifying category confirmed by Immigration.

Complete entry, medical and endorsement steps

Travel only after the employer confirms the entry authorisation and mission process. Work-pass holders need the passport-validity and medical documents stated by Immigration.

Keep the entry record, medical result, work-pass endorsement and identity documents; ask the sponsor which arrival or address record it files.

Keep employment and housing tied to the sponsor

Do not start or change work outside the approved employer and pass. The Immigration page has specific cancellation and employer-change document flows.

If housing is employer-provided, get written terms for utilities, family occupancy and what happens when employment ends. For a private lease, verify the owner and usable address.

Verify medical cover and tax position

A pre-endorsement medical examination does not by itself provide ongoing healthcare cover. Confirm employer insurance and dependant access and maintain private cover until established.

Brunei has no personal income tax on ordinary individuals, but payroll, social-security and foreign-country tax obligations can still apply. Obtain advice for foreign income and company interests.

Arrange dependant, school and banking records

File a dependant pass for each eligible family member and confirm whether the spouse may work only after obtaining their own employment permission.

Bring civil and school records and check placement directly. Banks apply identity, pass, address and source-of-funds checks.

Renew or cancel through the sponsor

Calendar work and dependant passes, passport validity, labour licence and medical requirements. Employer change and cancellation use formal procedures and should precede a new start or departure.

Check the Land Transport Department rule for the issuing-country licence before driving or buying a vehicle.

Your moving checklist

Tick off the tasks that apply to you. The timing is a planning order, not a substitute for the deadlines on your permission or an official instruction.

0 of 12 tasks completed

Before you move
On arrival
Your first month
Later and before renewal

Sources and checks

The linked authorities set the rules. VisaAtlas explains how the steps fit together; planning suggestions are not a decision on your immigration status, tax residence or entitlement to services.

Plan your next step