Brunei Freelancer and Self-Employment Immigration in 2026

Brunei does not publish a standalone “freelancer visa” or generic foreign self-employment residence permit.

The business-registration rules also differ from countries where a foreign national can simply register as a sole trader and use that registration for residence.

Sole proprietorship and partnership

ROCBN's current guidance says ordinary sole proprietorships and partnerships are available only to Brunei Citizens and Permanent Residents.

A foreign national should therefore not plan on registering a normal sole proprietorship as the immigration basis for freelance work.

Company structure

A company is a separate legal entity and may involve foreign shareholders, subject to company-law and resident-director requirements.

Current ROCBN guidance states that where a company has two directors, at least one must be ordinarily resident in Brunei. Official investment material also recognises foreign ownership, including up to 100% foreign ownership in relevant investment contexts.

But a foreign shareholder or director still needs the correct personal immigration/work status.

Long-Term Business Visit Pass

For a qualifying foreign company owner or investor, Immigration's Long-Term Business Visit Pass may be relevant.

The public Immigration page does not say every small company owner qualifies, and it does not publish a simple freelancer capital threshold.

Foreign clients

Being paid by overseas clients does not itself create Immigration permission. A contractor living and working in Brunei should not rely on visitor status simply because customers are abroad.

Startup and consulting businesses

There is no separate national startup visa. A foreign consultant or startup founder needs to consider company registration, sector-specific licences where applicable, resident-director rules, and the founder's own Immigration category.

Employment alternative

If the person will actually be employed by a Brunei company, use the Employment Work Pass.

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