Brunei, in the numbers that decide it
What life costs
medium confidence- One-bed flat, city
- €650/mo
- Three-bed home
- €1,100/mo
- Groceries, one person
- €250/mo
- Utilities
- €120/mo
- What a local salary buys
- 134/100
Ways in
Moving with family
- Family & reunification routes
- 3
- Routes through marriage
- 1
- Healthcare system
- mixed
Day-to-day life
high confidence- Healthcare
- 58/100
- English in daily life
- high (EF EPI 72)
- Internet speed
- 63 Mbps
Tax, in practice
medium confidence- Real rate at €90k
- 0.0%
- Take-home per month at €90k
- €6,433
- VAT
- 0%
- How it is structured
- none
Brunei offers 10 distinct visa pathways for skilled workers and migrants in 2026. Located in South-Eastern Asia, processing times range from 1 months. The country scores a quality of life index of 7.5/10 and a safety score of 8.5/10. Monthly living costs for a single person range from €1,248–€1,468 depending on the city. The primary language is Malay. Permanent residency is achievable in as few as 15 years. Top-scoring professions for immigration include Doctor (7.0/10), Software Engineer (6.7/10), Cybersecurity Specialist (6.7/10). Overall migration friendliness is rated 5.0/10. Figures as of H2 2026 (official sources, last re-check).
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Application For An Employment Pass | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dependent Pass | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dependent Visa | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Entry Permit | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| Husband of a Citizen of Brunei Darussalam under Chapter 5(6) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PASS LONG-TERM PROFESSIONAL VISIT | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| Professional Visit Visa | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Student Visa | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Work Pass | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Financial Requirements
No fixed income or savings threshold is published for the pathways currently tracked for this country.
Cost of Living
Top Professions for Emigrating
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (license req.) | 7.0/10 | €3,234/mo |
| Software Engineer | 6.7/10 | €2,328/mo |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | 6.7/10 | €2,199/mo |
| AI Engineer | 6.7/10 | €2,587/mo |
| Dentist (license req.) | 6.7/10 | €2,587/mo |
| Pharmacist (license req.) | 6.7/10 | €2,070/mo |
| Data Analyst | 6.2/10 | €1,811/mo |
| Civil Engineer | 6.2/10 | €1,940/mo |
| Mechanical Engineer | 6.2/10 | €1,940/mo |
| Accountant | 6.2/10 | €1,681/mo |
Downloadable Data
Explore More: Brunei
- Visa Comparison for Brunei (2026)
- Brunei for Accountant (2026)
- Brunei for Civil Engineer (2026)
- Brunei for Nurse (2026)
- Brunei for Software Engineer (2026)
- Brunei for Teacher (2026)
- Business Visitor Visa Bvv — Brunei
- Employment Pass Ep — Brunei
- Foreign Workers License Lpa — Brunei
- Professional Visit Visa Pvv — Brunei
- Special Authorization Work Pass Sawp — Brunei
Official sources
Brunei
- Professional Visit Visa — mfa.gov.bn — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Work Pass — immigration.gov.bn — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- PASS LONG-TERM PROFESSIONAL VISIT — immigration.gov.bn — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many immigration pathways does Brunei have?
Brunei: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) has 10 active immigration pathways in 2026, including residence, skilled worker, family reunion, student routes. Each pathway has different requirements for income, qualifications, and experience.
What is the cost of living in Brunei?
Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Bandar Seri Begawan: €1,468/mo; Seria: €1,248/mo; Kuala Belait: €1,248/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.
Can I get permanent residency in Brunei?
Yes. Path to PR timelines by visa type: PASS LONG-TERM PROFESSIONAL VISIT: 1 year. Requirements and conditions vary by pathway.
What are the best professions for emigrating to Brunei?
The highest-scoring professions for Brunei are: Doctor, Software Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist. Scores consider visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, and quality of life.
What types of visas does Brunei offer?
Brunei: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) offers the following visa categories: Residence: APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT; Skilled Worker: Application For An Employment Pass, PASS LONG-TERM PROFESSIONAL VISIT, Professional Visit Visa, Work Pass; Family: Dependent Pass, Dependent Visa, Husband of a Citizen of Brunei Darussalam under Chapter 5(6), Long-Term Social Visit Pass; Student: Student Visa.
Can I bring my family to Brunei?
Yes. 10 pathways allow family members. Options include: APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT, Application For An Employment Pass, Dependent Pass. Spouses may also be eligible to work depending on the visa type.
Does Brunei have a digital nomad visa?
Brunei does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers typically use standard work permits or temporary residence visas.
How long does visa processing take in Brunei?
Processing times vary by pathway: APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT: ~180 days; Application For An Employment Pass: ~180 days; Dependent Pass: ~180 days; Dependent Visa: ~180 days; Husband of a Citizen of Brunei Darussalam under Chapter 5(6): ~180 days; Long-Term Social Visit Pass: ~180 days. Times may vary based on application volume.
What are the financial requirements to emigrate to Brunei?
Most pathways currently tracked do not publish a fixed income or savings threshold; requirements depend on the visa type.
What is the quality of life like in Brunei?
Brunei scores quality of life: 7.5/10, safety: 8.5/10, healthcare: 7.0/10. These ratings consider healthcare access, public safety, infrastructure, and overall living standards for expatriates.
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