Multiplier Honored by Fast Company’s 2024 List of Most Innovative Companies.

Multiplier Logo
Loading Animation Image
Brunei Bg

Work Permit in Brunei

Why is Work Permit Needed?

Companies and overseas candidates must get the necessary permits before they can start work in Brunei. A Brunei work visa and work permit offer an individual legality and a suitable documentation trail during their stay in the country.  

A work visa is also a more ethical and secure means of relocating for employment. During the stay, an employee must adhere to and carry out the activities specified in the work permit. Brunei is known for its strict laws, and a legal work permit will ensure your employee’s safety.

Job Market in Brunei

The economy of Brunei is dominated by the oil and petroleum industry, making the nation a recurrent member of the world’s richest countries list. With a booming economy and English as the official business language, the number of foreigners searching for jobs in Brunei has grown substantially. 

Brunei is also a famous work destination for ASEAN nationals looking for overseas job opportunities. Brunei is classified as a developed country second to Singapore in the Human Development Index in South East Asia. The Brunei government has also started an online job portal called Job Centre Brunei, where foreign workers can browse for job opportunities.

Work Permit in Brunei

Number of Expats:

50,000-100,000

Expats Job Websites:

Popular Industries for Expats:

Petroleum and Gas Sector, Banking, Hospitality, Construction, Education

Types of Brunei Work Visa

For foreigners, Brunei work permits and work visas are of the following categories: 

Business Visa:

The Business Visitor Visa (BVV) is issued to anyone who wants to invest, start, or participate in a business meeting in Brunei. Anyone who possesses valid APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTCs) with an approved “Valid for Travel to BRN” can enter Brunei without a BVV. 

Professional Visit Visa (PVV):

This Visa is issued to anyone who will undertake professional work or is a field expert. Brunei usually offers this visa to foreigners to oversee a project in Brunei. PVV is issued for a maximum of 3 months. 

Employment Visa:

Issued to those who want to stay and work in Brunei. Brunei offers exemption from the Employment Visa to nationals of Singapore and Malaysia. 

Apart from the work visas, Brunei has a few work permits that it issues to foreign workers.

Lesen Pekerja Asing (LPA):

Lesen Pekerja Asing is the Foreign Worker License issued by the Brunei government to foreigners. The LPA is valid for two years (24 months max) from the day it is issued, with an option to renew as and when needed. 

Employment Pass:

The Employment Pass is a long-term work authorization pass, and everyone needs to obtain this to work in Brunei legally. One can apply for the Employment Pass after they get the PLA. 

Special Authorization Work Pass (SAWP):

This is a non-renewable license issued to an applicant if they plan to work in the oil and petroleum sector, IT sector, or construction. This pass is given on the condition that the employee will leave the country within a year. SAWP is issued for a maximum of 12 months only.

Green Smart Identity Card:

This is part of the Smart Identity Card system of the Brunei government. Every person residing in Brunei will be issued a card depending on their status, whether they are citizens, permanent residents, or foreigners. The Green Smart Identity Card is issued to foreigners only, on the condition that they:  
Have an immigration pass 
Want to stay in Brunei for more than three months. 

Therefore, depending on the work commitments, an applicant will have to apply for Brunei work permits as per their situation.

Brunei Work Permit Requirements

Every foreigner who wants to work in Brunei needs a valid Employment Visa issued by their respective country’s High Commission of Brunei Darussalam. This visa will be authorized by the Immigration and National Registration Department of Brunei. 

For those of applicants who will be applying for an Employment Visa in Brunei, the following documents are required by the Brunei Consul:

  • A completed Visa Application form
  • A passport, which will be valid for the next six months, along with six unmarked pages
  • A copy of the passport
  • A copy of the immigration approval letter
  • Two recent passport photographs, no longer than 6 months old, on a white background
  • A copy of the flight ticket (one way) to Brunei, with the flight itinerary
  • A medical checkup form and results

For those of applicants who will be applying for Lesen Pekerja Asing (LPA) in Brunei, the following documents are required by the authorities:

  • Two completed applications of the Foreign Worker Form.
  • A copy of the passport along with the original, which will be valid for the next six months; the passport should have six blank pages.
  • A copy of the employee’s identity card.
  • A copy of the verification document of mandatory registration issued by the Job Centre Brunei.
  • A copy of the employer’s Company Registration Form (Section 16 and 17, Form X).
  • A copy of a letter of approval from relevant government agencies (only if applicable on case-to-case basis).
  • A copy of your employees qualifications for the post they’ll be taking up in Brunei (depends on case-to-case basis)
  • If the applicant will undertake work in the construction sector during their stay in Brunei, a copy of upcoming and ongoing projects.

Application Processing Time

The visa application, for all the different visa types, is processed within five working days and will be issued if approved in that time frame. The application for LPA will be processed by the Labour and Immigration Department of Brunei. The employee will get  the pass in 5 working days. 

The application for the SAWP will be processed by the Department of Immigration and National Registration. Once successfully submitted, the applicant will get their pass in 3 working days.

Cost of Brunei Work Permit

The Brunei Work Visa application fee information will be made available to the applicant by the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam to their country. Brunei Embassies around the world provide the visa fee details in the domestic currency of that respective country. As a result, certain price variations may occur due to fluctuating currencies. To contact and enquire about the same, please refer to this list of Brunei High Commissions around the world. 

This Is How Multiplier Can Help With The Brunei Work Visa

We are a Global EOR firm with experience in handling and supplying HR solutions, with a local presence in over 150 countries. For Multinational Corporate Companies that seek effective personnel management, our team of professionals can handle the process of onboarding and managing the staff. 

Brunei has strict immigration laws and visa requirements. As a result, Brunei work permits and visa applications are spread across multiple departments. Partnering with Multiplier and its in-house specialists can provide you with a one-stop solution to this entire process. We will take care of all the applications from the start and keep you abreast of their progression.

Enjoyed reading this?
Save it for future reference

Work Permit Description Template

Do you want to read this later?

Email Address

Frequently Asked Questions

An Employment Visa is issued if an applicant intends to work in Brunei and grants them legal entry into the country. An Employment Pass is a mandatory certificate for every foreigner who will live and work in Brunei for an extended period. The Employment Pass can be issued for three months and more, depending on the work.

The Employment Visa will be managed by the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam and authorized by the Immigration and National Registration Department. The Employment Pass will be handled by the Labour Department of Brunei, and the application process will take place in the country itself.

No, this identity card is issued to only those foreigners who plan to stay in Brunei for an extended period. The card is a marker of a person’s identity as a foreign worker in Brunei and should be kept safe. The Smart Identity Card system is mandatory for all who reside in Brunei. However, those who visit Brunei for a short period of time (less than three months) for a Business Visit, a Professional Visit, or even a Social Visit do not need this card.

Are work permit hurdles slowing down your hiring process?

Table of Contents

World’s Preferred EOR/PEO Platform for a Global Workforce