Immigration. Travel. Living.

Working in Brunei as an expat

A tropical nation with a population of just over 400,000 awaits expats relocating to Brunei. Because of its growing oil and gas businesses, Brunei boasts one of the greatest levels of life in the whole globe. Approximately 40% of Brunei’s population consists of expatriates drawn by the allure of lucrative career prospects and tax-free earnings.

An illustration of two business professionals, a woman and a man, shaking hands

Job hunting in Brunei

You will probably have a decent chance of obtaining employment as an expat given the structure of its economy. You are unlikely to have a language barrier at work since English is the preferred business language in the nation. Job searchers have a variety of possibilities, with internet job searches being one of the best ways to locate employment. Utilizing websites like LinkedIn may also be quite beneficial and is a great method to make friends after you are in the country. Additionally, there are many prospects for TEFL jobs, which are rather simple to get (especially for native speakers). Of course, there are other more conventional job search techniques. If you know individuals who are already in the nation, word of mouth may be just as effective as any other strategy. To present oneself in a manner that appeals to prospective employers is the greatest method to locate and get any job, wherever. To stand out as the ideal candidate for a career in Brunei, comprehend your industry, polish your resume, and seek ways to use any skills and information you may have.

Legal employment in Brunei

To legally work in this nation, expats must get a work permit. The employer of the expat is required to submit the employment visa application. Certain groups of professionals are excluded from some of these rules. This includes those who work for international organizations or who are covered by bilateral agreements between Brunei and their place of origin.

Brunei’s various work licenses for foreign nationals

In Brunei, there are primarily two categories of work permits for foreigners:

Temporary work visa

This kind of visa is issued for a certain amount of time, often up to two years, and is renewable. It is appropriate for foreigners who will only work temporarily in the nation.

Permanent residence visa

This kind of visa is appropriate for foreigners who will work in the nation continuously or for a long time since it is provided for an indeterminate amount of time.

Eligibility

Expats must obtain a job offer from a Bruneian employer and fulfill the standards imposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be qualified for an employment visa in Brunei.

Application for a work permit in Brunei

The following steps must be taken to apply for a work visa in the nation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade receives a labor agreement request from the employer. The employer must apply for a work visa at the closest Bruneian consulate once the labor agreement has been approved. Expats are obliged to go to Brunei to apply for an employment permit after acquiring their visa. After that, they must finish the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade registration process and get a permanent tax identification number. The procedure is susceptible to many bureaucratic delays and might last for several months. Starting the procedure soon before the anticipated start date of the employment in Brunei is advised.

Brunei work permits papers

Foreign nationals must get a work permit or a labor certificate to work in this nation. The Brunei Immigration and National Registration Department is in charge of handling work permit applications. Depending on the kind of work permit and the applicant’s nationality, the documentation needed for a work permit application may change. However, some of the typical paperwork needed are as follows:

  • a valid ID such as a passport;
  • a contract of employment or a letter of employment offer from a Bruneian corporation;
  • educational credentials, qualifications, and any other relevant documentation;
  • A medical exam certificate from a licensed facility in Brunei or the applicant’s resident country;
  • a police clearance certificate from the applicant’s country of residence;
  • a completed application for a work permit;
  • a duplicate of the company’s business permit and Brunei registration certificate.

Depending on each circumstance, more documentation can be needed.

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