Obtaining A Brunei Work Visa: A Guide For Indians

If you're an Indian passport holder looking to work in Brunei, you'll need to apply for a Brunei Darussalam Employment Visa. This process involves gathering the necessary documents, meeting eligibility criteria, and submitting your application to the Bruneian authorities. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process and increase your chances of a successful application.

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a Brunei work visa, you must meet the following criteria:

Passport

You must have a valid passport with:

• A minimum of two blank pages for the visa stamp.
• A validity period of at least six months ahead of your span of stay in Brunei.
• No signs of damage, tearing, ripping, or splitting.

Photographs

You must provide two recent photographs that meet the following specifications:

• Your face covers 80% of the frame.
• The background is entirely white.
• The dimensions are 35x45mm (length - 45mm, breadth - 35mm).
• The finish is matte.
• Your facial expression is neutral, with no smiling or frowning.
• You are not wearing any glasses.
• Your hair is tied back, and your ears are visible.
• No headgear is worn, except for religious reasons.
• Your teeth are not showing.

Air Ticket

You must provide a confirmed return ticket or print-out of the confirmed to-and-fro journey.

Sufficient Funds

You must possess sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents throughout your stay in Brunei.

Ties to Home Country

You must have strong ties to your home country that will ensure your return after your stay in Brunei.

Criminal Record

You must have a clean criminal record and be of good character. You may need to provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to verify this.

Health

You must meet the minimum health requirements set by the authorities in Brunei.

Other Requirements

• The employer must have a quota license from the Labour Department.
• You must have an approval letter from the work pass section of the Immigration and National Registration Department.
• You must pay a processing fee of BND20.

Prepare the necessary documents

To get a work visa for Brunei from India, you must meet the prerequisite entry requirements and prepare the necessary documents. Here is a detailed list of the documents you will need:

Prerequisite Entry Requirements:

• The employer must have a quota license from the Labour Department.
• An approval letter from the work pass section of the Immigration and National Registration Department is required.
• The worker should have a valid passport/travel document recognised by the Brunei Director of Immigration and National Registration. The passport must be valid for at least six months before entering the country and must have a minimum of two blank pages for the visa stamp.
• A payment fee of BND20, paid in Japanese yen according to the Embassy exchange rate.

Necessary Documents:

• A recent passport-sized photograph that meets the specified photo guidelines.
• A round-trip flight ticket that is confirmed for the entire journey.
• Previous passports, if available. These must be in good condition and original.
• A letter of application from the employer.
• A copy of the labour license.
• A certificate of qualifications.
• A medical examination report, as outlined by the Ministry of Health.
• Any other supporting documents, such as proof of sufficient funds and a clean criminal record.

Understand the visa application process

To obtain a work visa for Brunei from India, you must follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. You must be a genuine traveller with valid reasons for travelling to the country, have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents throughout your stay, have strong ties to your home country, be of good character with a clean criminal record, and meet the minimum health requirements.

Secondly, you will need to gather the necessary documents. These include:

• A valid passport with at least two blank pages for the visa stamp, valid for at least six months after your planned stay.
• Two recent photographs that meet the specified size and background requirements.
• Confirmed return flight tickets.
• Your old passport, if available.
• A letter of application.
• A labour license.
• Approval letters from relevant government agencies.
• A certificate of qualifications.

Thirdly, you will need to submit your application. The process can be done online, and you will need to upload all the required documents. A security deposit is also required, and you will receive your LPA within two weeks. Once you have your LPA, you can apply for your employment pass. This process includes a medical examination and the submission of additional documentation. The employment pass processing time is approximately five days, and the pass will be valid for two years.

Finally, if you plan to work in Brunei for more than three months, you will need to apply for a Green Identity Card. This step is crucial, as the Department of Labor and Ministry of Home Affairs will perform an inspection after the initial approval.

Know the requirements for specific work visas

To obtain a Bruneian work visa, you must have a valid Employment Visa authorised by the Department of Immigration and National Registration. This is issued at the Brunei Embassy.

The following requirements must be met:

• The employer must have a quota license from the Labour Department.
• An approval letter from the work pass section of the Immigration and National Registration Department is needed.
• The worker should have a valid passport/travel document recognised by the Bruneian Director of Immigration and National Registration. The passport must be valid for at least six months before entering the country and must have a minimum of two blank pages for the visa stamp.
• A payment fee of BND20 must be paid in Japanese yen according to the Embassy exchange rate.
• Processing takes around five working days.

The employer is required to lodge the visa application in person directly to the work pass section of the department.

If you are a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and have an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) endorsed for Brunei, you may enter the country for business without a visitor visa.

For long-term work, a foreign worker license, also known as Lesen Pekerja Asing (LPA), is required, in addition to an employment pass. Employment passes are typically required for longer jobs, such as technical work, project planning, and marketing. If you plan on holding an employment pass for three months or more, you must also apply for a Green Identity Card.

If you intend to work in the oil, construction, or IT industries for less than a year, you must apply for a non-renewable Special Authorization Work Pass (SAWP).

Be aware of the timeframes for processing

When applying for a work visa to Brunei from India, it's important to be mindful of the processing timeframes. The time it takes to process a work visa for Brunei can vary depending on several factors, and different types of visas may have different processing times. Here are some key points to be aware of:

• The processing time for a Bruneian work visa typically takes around 5 working days. It is recommended that applicants submit their visa applications at least 30 days before travelling to the country to account for any possible delays or additional processing requirements.
• The Bruneian work visa is valid for a maximum of 3 months. If you intend to stay longer, you may need to apply for an extension or a different type of visa.
• Obtaining the necessary clearances and approvals from relevant government departments and agencies can take some time. As an employer, you must secure approvals from the JobCentre Brunei (JCB) and receive an endorsement from Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP) for your employees' Lesen Pekerja Asing (LPA) or foreign worker license.
• Once the LPA is obtained, your international workers can apply for their employment pass. The processing time for the employment pass is also approximately 5 days. The pass is valid for 2 years and can be renewed if needed.
• If your employees plan to work in Brunei for more than 3 months, they will need to apply for a Green Identity Card in addition to their employment pass. This is an important consideration, as the Department of Labor and the Ministry of Home Affairs will perform an inspection after the initial approval.
• It's worth noting that the visa process for international workers in Brunei is generally shorter than in many other countries, and approval rates tend to be favourable. However, it's crucial to be mindful of renewal periods and to ensure that all necessary documentation is in order to avoid any delays or complications.

Frequently asked questions