Brunei Darussalam · family
Dependent Pass (family of pass holders)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. The dependent pass runs through the Foreign Work Pass division alongside the main holder's pass; confirm current timing on the official immigration.gov.bn page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. Government fees apply for the visa and pass; refer to the official page for current amounts.
- Typical duration
- Tied to the validity of the main pass holder's pass and renewed alongside it; it is a stay route rather than a settlement route.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 23 July 2026, the Dependent Pass (family of pass holders) for Brunei Darussalam is a sponsor-led Brunei immigration route. Sources: official Brunei Darussalam government pages, reviewed 23 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/brunei/dependent-pass#answer
What is the Dependent Pass (family of pass holders) in Brunei Darussalam?
Dependent Pass (family of pass holders) is a sponsor-led Brunei route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only. Government fees apply for the visa and pass; refer to the official page for current amounts; indicative processing time is Indicative only. The dependent pass runs through the Foreign Work Pass division alongside the main holder's pass; confirm current timing on the official immigration.gov.bn page; typical duration is Tied to the validity of the main pass holder's pass and renewed alongside it; it is a stay route rather than a settlement route. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
If your spouse or parent is working in Brunei on a valid pass, the Dependent Pass lets close family - typically a spouse and children - live in the country for as long as the main holder's pass is valid. It is processed by the same Foreign Work Pass division that handles employment passes, and the main holder usually needs to show sufficient income and suitable accommodation to support their dependents. Honesty box - please read: a Dependent Pass lets you stay but does not by itself grant the right to work, and it is tied to the main holder's pass - so it ends if theirs does. Brunei also has no investment-based permanent residence, so this is a stay route, not a settlement one. Confirm the current requirements on the official Immigration and National Registration Department page.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You are a qualifying dependent - typically a spouse or child - of a valid pass holder in Brunei.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- ✓The main pass holder can show sufficient income and suitable accommodation to support you.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- ✓You can document your relationship to the main holder.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- ✓You meet the standard documentation and good-character requirements.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
Common blockers
- !Assuming the dependent pass lets you work - it does not, on its own.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- !Relying on a main holder who cannot show the required income or accommodation.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- !Expecting it to lead to permanent residence - it is tied to the main holder's pass.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and the completed application documents.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- ·Documents proving your relationship to the main pass holder (marriage or birth certificates).Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- ·The main holder's pass and evidence of income and accommodation.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
- ·Medical and, where requested, background documents.Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm you are a qualifying dependent and that the main holder can support you.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your passport and the certificates that prove your relationship.
Submit through the official channel
The main holder applies for your dependent pass through the official channel.
After approval
After approval, keep your pass valid and renew it alongside the main holder's pass.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Dependent Pass (family of pass holders), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Brunei. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Dependent Pass (family of pass holders) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Dependent Pass (family of pass holders).
Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam) · verified
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Related routes
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work on a Dependent Pass in Brunei?+
Not by itself. The Dependent Pass lets close family live in Brunei for as long as the main holder's pass is valid, but it does not on its own grant the right to work. If you want a job, you would generally need your own work pass, sponsored by an employer. Check what, if anything, is permitted for dependents on the official immigration.gov.bn page before you rely on it.
What does the main pass holder need to show?+
The main pass holder usually needs to demonstrate sufficient income and suitable accommodation to support their dependents, along with documents proving the family relationship. The pass is tied to theirs, so it lasts as long as their pass does and ends when it does. Because the exact requirements are set by the authorities, confirm them on the official page.
Can my spouse and children move to Brunei with me?+
Yes. If your spouse or parent holds a valid Brunei pass, the Dependent Pass lets close family, typically a spouse and children, live in Brunei for as long as the main holder's pass is valid. The main holder usually needs to show sufficient income and suitable accommodation to support their dependents, so confirm the current requirements on the official immigration.gov.bn page.
How long can my family stay in Brunei on a Dependent Pass?+
A Dependent Pass is tied to the validity of the main pass holder's pass and is renewed alongside it, so it lasts as long as their pass is valid and ends when theirs does. It is a stay route rather than a settlement route, so confirm the renewal requirements on the official immigration.gov.bn page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in BruneiHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam)
Last checked: 1 June 2026