For a foreign domestic helper hired by an individual or family holding the dedicated Domestic Helpers Licence.
Brunei
Brunei sits in South-Eastern Asia. Its immigration system runs 18 distinct routes — led by residence-based status, short stay & visit and transit, each set out in official law. All 18 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 18across 10 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 18 of 18cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Residence-based status3 of the 18 routes — see them under Residence-based status below
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Population
- 466,330
- Official language
- Malay
- Currency
- BND
- Time zone
- UTC+08:00
Immigration routes
All 18 routes, grouped by purpose — 18 of 18 cite an official government source directly.
Work
2 routes
For a foreign national hired by an employer in Brunei Darussalam after the employer obtains the required labour licences and job order.
Business & self-employment
1 route
For a foreign company owner or investor who meets the long-term business criteria and contributes to Brunei's socio-economic development.
Talent & merit
1 route
For a foreign expert or professional whose expertise is beneficial and needed for Brunei Darussalam's progress and development.
Study
1 route
For a foreign national admitted to study in Brunei Darussalam and applying through the official student-pass process.
Family
2 routes
For a dependant of an Employment Pass holder, through the dedicated dependant visa and pass application.
For a foreign national with family ties to a Brunei citizen or permanent resident who does not yet qualify for permanent residence.
Residence-based status
3 routes
For an adopted child or stepchild meeting the current sponsor-status, residence, civil-status and document conditions.
For qualifying stateless or foreign-national children of Brunei citizens or specified permanent residents under the current category rules.
For a qualifying spouse of a Brunei citizen or specified permanent resident after the branch-specific marriage period.
Short stay & visit
3 routes
For foreign business visitors attending meetings, exhibitions, investor activity or exploring business opportunities in Brunei Darussalam.
For a foreign specialist making an official professional visit where the specialist's expertise is required in Brunei Darussalam.
For a social visit to Brunei Darussalam, with a visa, visa on arrival or visa exemption according to nationality.
Ancestry & return
1 route
For a person who proves indigenous Bruneian ancestry and meets the residence period based on place of birth.
Transit
3 routes
For a through passenger travelling on a vessel calling at a Brunei port who wishes to land temporarily.
For a qualifying crew member whose recognised seafarer's identity document is treated as a Landing Pass for temporary shore leave.
For transit through Brunei Darussalam, with a transit visa only where the traveller's official nationality category requires one.
Other & special
1 route
For a person whom the Controller of Immigration considers it desirable to authorise in the special circumstances of the case.
Official sources
See which Brunei routes you actually qualify for.
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