Becoming A Brunei Citizen: A Comprehensive Guide

Brunei, or Brunei Darussalam, is a small absolute monarchy in Southeast Asia. The laws concerning citizenship were created to be in accordance with general Islamic law. While the country does not currently operate a formal citizenship by investment programme, there are several ways to obtain Bruneian citizenship. These include by origin, by naturalization, and by marriage. The process of obtaining citizenship can be lengthy and difficult, and it is important to note that Brunei does not recognize dual citizenship.

By birth: Being born in Brunei does not grant automatic citizenship

By Birth

Being born in Brunei does not automatically grant citizenship. This is the case even if your parents are citizens of Brunei. If you were born in Brunei to non-citizen parents, you will not receive the right to permanent residence or citizenship.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you are a child born in wedlock to a Bruneian father, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent, regardless of your country of birth. Similarly, a child born out of wedlock to a Bruneian mother and a stateless or unknown father may also be eligible for citizenship by descent, regardless of their country of birth.

It's important to note that the Bruneian nationality law allows children of expatriates, foreigners, and residents in Brunei to examine their citizenship status and, if necessary, apply for and obtain Bruneian citizenship. This process may involve meeting certain conditions, such as demonstrating proficiency in the Malay language and a deep knowledge of Malay customs, culinary recipes, and poetry.

In addition, if you are a child born outside of Brunei to Bruneian parents, you may hold dual citizenship until the age of 18. At that point, you must choose between the two citizenships.

By descent: A child born to a Bruneian father, regardless of birth country, is eligible

Brunei, or Brunei Darussalam, is an absolute monarchy in Southeast Asia. Its citizenship laws are governed by the Nationality Act, 1962, which was drafted while Brunei was a British protectorate and has since been amended in 1984 and 2002.

One way to become a Bruneian citizen is by descent or origin. This means that a child born to a Bruneian father is eligible for citizenship, regardless of their country of birth. This also applies to a child born out of wedlock to a Bruneian mother and a stateless or unknown father.

To be recognised as a citizen by descent, the child's birth must be registered at a Bruneian diplomatic mission within six months. The father must also meet certain requirements—he must be in the service of the government of Brunei or employed by a company registered in the country.

It is important to note that Brunei does not recognise dual citizenship. An exception is made for children born abroad to Bruneian parents, who can hold dual citizenship until the age of 18, after which they must choose one citizenship.

By naturalisation: Citizenship can be acquired through marriage or adoption

Citizenship in Brunei can be acquired through marriage or adoption. Here's what you need to know about the process:

Marriage

If you are a foreign woman marrying a Bruneian man, you can register for citizenship after 10 years of residency in the country. If you are a foreign man marrying a Bruneian woman, you must obtain permanent residency status, have the means to support yourself, and have lived in Brunei for 15 years. It is important to note that dual citizenship is not recognized in Brunei, except for children born abroad to Bruneian parents, who can hold dual citizenship until the age of 18.

To get married in Brunei, there are several requirements that must be met. Both parties must be at least 18 years old, have resided in Brunei for a minimum of 14 days, not be married to anyone else, and not be related to each other. Additionally, neither party can be of the Muslim faith. If one of the parties is a foreigner intending to marry a Bruneian citizen or permanent resident, they must obtain permission from the Immigration Department before filing a Notice of Marriage. The marriage ceremony in Brunei is quite formal, and attendees are expected to dress respectfully and modestly.

Adoption

Adopting a child in Brunei is a complex process and adoptions by foreign citizens are rare. Under Bruneian law, only Muslims can adopt Muslim-born children, and when a Muslim adopts a non-Muslim-born child, the child is considered Muslim. Non-Muslims can only adopt non-Muslim-born children and cannot adopt children of unknown parentage.

For a married couple to adopt a child, they must be at least 25 years old and at least 18 years older than the child (if Muslim) or at least 21 years older (if non-Muslim). Single men can only adopt male children, while single women can adopt children of any gender. In addition to these requirements, prospective adoptive parents must also demonstrate a stable economic background. Applications by Muslims are processed through Shariah courts, while non-Muslims' applications are processed through civil courts.

Marriage: A foreign spouse can become a citizen after 10 years of residence

Brunei's citizenship laws are governed by the Nationality Act, 1962, which was drafted while the country was a British protectorate. The act was later amended in 1984 and 2002. The laws concerning citizenship are in accordance with general Islamic law.

One way to obtain Bruneian citizenship is through marriage. If you are a foreign female spouse of a Bruneian male, you may register for citizenship after 10 years of residency. If you are a foreign male spouse of a Bruneian female, you must obtain permanent residency status, possess a means of support, and have resided in Brunei for 15 years.

It is important to note that dual citizenship is not recognized in Brunei, except for children born abroad to Bruneian parents. In this case, the child can have dual citizenship until the age of 18, after which they must choose one citizenship to retain.

The process of obtaining Bruneian citizenship through marriage can be complex and may involve additional requirements and conditions. It is always recommended to consult official government sources and seek legal advice for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Dual citizenship: Not recognised, except for children of Bruneian parents born abroad

Brunei does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that any citizen who obtains a foreign citizenship loses their Bruneian citizenship. The only exception to this rule is for children born outside of Brunei to Bruneian parents. In this case, the child can hold dual citizenship until the age of 18, at which point they must choose one citizenship to retain.

If you are a child of Bruneian parents born abroad and have obtained dual citizenship, you must decide which citizenship to keep by the time you reach the age of majority (18). If you choose to keep your Bruneian citizenship, you will need to renounce your other citizenship. This process should be done through the Bruneian Embassy, who can provide the necessary information and paperwork.

It is important to note that if you have dual citizenship when entering Brunei, you should only use one passport. Using multiple passports may cause issues with the country's strict immigration laws.

If you are a foreign citizen looking to obtain Bruneian citizenship, it is important to understand that the path to citizenship can be difficult and may take many years. You must meet the conditions set out in the Bruneian Citizenship Act 1961, including fluency in Malay, passing the Malay language board exams, and taking a military oath. Additionally, you must be of good character and have lived in Brunei for at least 10 to 15 years, depending on your circumstances.

Frequently asked questions