Residence & citizenship
Bruneian Entry Permit (Permanent Residence)
The permit route through which foreign nationals obtain permanent resident status in Brunei.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
- Official name
- Entry Permit (Permit Masuk)
- Route type
- Permanent residence
- Card fee
- BND 50 per card for certain nationalities (e.g. stateless, Indonesian, Filipino, Thai, Australian, non-Commonwealth); BND 5 per card for Commonwealth nationals (e.g. British, Singaporean, Malaysian, Indian)
- Validity
- Generally 1 year (with exceptions for Brunei CI permanent residents, which align to passport validity)
- Handled by
- Entry Permit Section, Department of Immigration and National Registration
- Processes Brunei permanent-resident applications and issues Re-Entry Permits / Re-Entry Visas.
- Nature of grant
- Discretionary
- Permanent residence is granted at the authorities' discretion, not as an automatic right, and there is no automatic path from holding a work pass.
Who it is for
- Foreign nationals seeking to establish permanent residence in Brunei
- Existing residents needing a Re-Entry Permit / visa
How to apply
- Apply to the Entry Permit Division of the Immigration and National Registration Department
- Eligibility categories and requirements vary by nationality
- Pay the applicable card fee for your nationality tier
Requirements
The Entry Permit is the mechanism for obtaining Brunei permanent residence. Eligibility depends on your category — for example Brunei descent, or marriage to a citizen or permanent resident — with a required period of residence that differs by category. Because the qualifying periods are set out in official guidelines and are subject to change, confirm your exact category and residence requirement with the Entry Permit Section rather than relying on third-party figures.
- You must fall within a recognised eligibility category (such as proven Brunei descent, or spouse of a citizen or permanent resident).
- A qualifying period of lawful residence in Brunei, which varies by category.
- Good conduct and character.
- The grant is discretionary — meeting the criteria does not guarantee approval.
Frequently asked questions
No. There is no automatic route from a work pass to permanent residence. Brunei permanent residence is granted at the authorities' discretion, based on recognised eligibility categories such as Brunei descent or marriage to a citizen or permanent resident.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.