·Brunei Darussalam·Material change·In force
Brunei publishes updated permanent-resident category guidelines
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Starting 31 December 2024, Brunei's Immigration and National Registration Department (JIPK) shared updated guidelines and eligibility requirements for the categories of application for permanent resident status. Where permanent residence was previously described only as discretionary and typically taking around fifteen years, the published categories now set explicit qualifying periods - up to twenty years of residence or marriage depending on the applicant's tie to Brunei. Foreigners hoping to settle in Brunei are affected.
Effective from .
What changed
Policy claim 1
The application categories are based on family ties to a Brunei citizen or permanent resident (children, adopted children, stepchildren, wives and husbands), stateless status, or proven Brunei descent.
Claim ID: bn-2024-12-pr-category-guidelines#claim-1·Cite this claim
Source: JIPK - Guidelines and eligibility requirements for permanent resident status categories (Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam))·source verified ·page reviewed
Policy claim 2
Qualifying periods vary by category: proven Brunei descent requires ten years' residence if born in Brunei or fifteen years if born abroad, and spouse categories require marriages of ten to twenty years.
Claim ID: bn-2024-12-pr-category-guidelines#claim-2·Cite this claim
Source: JIPK - Guidelines and eligibility requirements for permanent resident status categories (Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam))·source verified ·page reviewed
Policy claim 3
The published categories include no investment-based route and no general long-residence route to permanent resident status.
Claim ID: bn-2024-12-pr-category-guidelines#claim-3·Cite this claim
Source: JIPK - Guidelines and eligibility requirements for permanent resident status categories (Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam))·source verified ·page reviewed
Routes affected
Primary source
Primary source
JIPK - Guidelines and eligibility requirements for permanent resident status categories ↗ · Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam)
Link last verified: