Guide to temporary entry for Canadian business persons into Brunei Darussalam under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

On this page

• Before you travel to Brunei Darussalam
• Business visitors
• Installers and servicers
• Intra-corporate transferee
• Investors
• Professionals
• Disclaimer

This guide provides Canadian business persons with important information regarding the eligibility requirements and authorizations necessary to enter Brunei Darussalam temporarily for business purposes under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Brunei Darussalam’s acts and regulations governing entry and stay.

Please familiarize yourself with all relevant travel requirements before seeking entry into Brunei Darussalam.

To be eligible for temporary entry into Brunei Darussalam under any of the categories under the CPTPP, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

More information:

• Consolidated TPP Text – Brunei Darussalam’s Schedule of Commitments for Temporary Entry for Business Persons
• Consolidated TPP Text – Chapter 12 – Temporary Entry for Business Persons

For any questions related to temporary entry commitments under the CPTPP, please contact: enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca

Business visitors

Do I qualify as a business visitor?

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian business visitor is a:

1. Canadian business person who is seeking to travel to Brunei Darussalam for the purpose of the sale of goods or to enter into a distribution or retailing arrangement, who does not make direct sales to the general public or supply goods or services themselves.
2. Canadian service seller who is a sales representative of a service supplier, entering for the purpose of negotiating for the sale of services or entering into agreements to sell services for that service supplier, who will not make direct sales to the general public or supply goods or services directly.
3. Canadian business person attending meetings, conferences or engaging in consultations with business associates.
4. Canadian business person attending or participating in a trade convention or trade fair.

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian business visitor can stay in Brunei Darussalam for up to 3 months and can extend their time for up to 12 months.

Do I need a visa as a business visitor?

Yes. If you plan to visit Brunei Darussalam as a Canadian business visitor you need a Category D3 Business Visit Visa. If you have an APEC Business Travel Card with an approved “Valid for Travel to BRN” designation you may enter Brunei Darussalam without a Business Visit visa.

How do I apply for a business visit visa?

To apply for a Business Visit visa, a registered business must apply on your behalf. The visa application form can be found on the Brunei Darussalam Immigration webpage and must be submitted to the Visa and Diplomatic Section of Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam. If approved, the applicant may take the approval letter to the nearest Brunei Darussalam Mission Abroad to be issued the relevant visa stamp or enter Brunei Darussalam with the visa issuance on arrival basis and complete payment during this process.

For more information, visit the Category D3 Business Visit visa webpage.

Do I need a work permit as a business visitor?

No. A Canadian business visitor will not require a work permit as they will not and cannot be engaged in any income-earning activities.

Installers and servicers

Do I qualify as an installer and servicer?

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian installer or servicer is a person who installs or services machinery or equipment and are employed by a Canadian company, where the installation or servicing is a condition of purchase for the machinery or equipment.

Canadian installers and servicers are not allowed to perform activities which do not relate to the installing or servicing activities outside the scope of the contract and must be paid by the supplying company.

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian installer or servicer can stay in Brunei Darussalam for up to 3 months and can extend their time for up to 12 months.

Do I need a visa as an installer or servicer?

Yes. If you plan to visit Brunei Darussalam as a Canadian installer or servicer you need a Category D3 Professional Visit visa. If you have an APEC Business Travel Card with an approved “Valid for Travel to BRN” designation, you may enter Brunei Darussalam without a Professional Visit visa.

How do I apply for a Professional Visit Visa as an installer or servicer?

To apply for a Professional Visit Visa, a registered business or government-linked company must apply on your behalf. The visa application form can be found on the Brunei Darussalam Immigration webpage and must be submitted to the Visa and Diplomatic Section of Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam. If approved, the applicant must take the approval letter to the nearest Brunei Darussalam Mission Abroad to be issued the relevant visa stamp or enter Brunei Darussalam with the visa issuance on arrival basis and complete payment during this process.

For more information, visit the Category D3 Professional Visit visa webpage.

Do I need a work permit as an installer or servicer?

No. A Canadian installer or servicer will not require a work permit, as they cannot be engaged in any income-earning activities while in Brunei Darussalam.

Intra-corporate transferees

Do I qualify as an intra-corporate transferee?

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian intra-corporate transferee is a manager, executive or specialist employed by a Canadian enterprise established and lawfully and actively operating in Brunei Darussalam, who is transferred to fill a position in the parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of that enterprise in Brunei Darussalam.

A manager is a business person who:

• primarily directs a department or sub-division of the organization or the organization;
• is responsible for supervising and controlling the work of supervisory or managerial employees;
• has the authority to hire, fire or complete other personnel actions;
• exercises authority over day-to-day operations; and
• is not a first-line supervisor, unless they are a professional

An executive is a business person who:

• primarily directs the management of the organization;
• exercises wide latitude in decision-making;
• receives only general supervision or direction from higher-level executives, the board of directors or stockholders of the business; and
• does not directly perform tasks related to the actual provision of the service or services of the organization

A specialist is a business person who:

• possesses knowledge at an advanced level of expertise; and
• possesses proprietary knowledge of the organization’s service, research equipment, techniques, or management

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian intra-corporate transferee can stay for a 3-year period in Brunei Darussalam with a possible extension of 2 additional years.

Do I need a visa as an intra-corporate transferee? 

Yes. If you plan to visit Brunei Darussalam as a Canadian intra-corporate transferee, you need a Professional Visit Visa. If you have an APEC Business Travel Card with an approved “Valid for Travel to BRN” designation you may enter Brunei Darussalam without a Professional Visit visa.

How do I apply for a Professional Visit Visa as an intra-corporate transferee?

To apply for a Professional Visit Visa, a registered business company or government-linked company based in Brunei Darussalam must apply on behalf of the applicant. The visa application form can be found on the Brunei Darussalam Immigration webpage and must be submitted to the Visa and Diplomatic Section of Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam. If approved, the applicant must take the approval letter to the nearest Brunei Darussalam Mission Abroad to be issued the relevant visa stamp or enter Brunei Darussalam with the visa issuance on arrival basis and complete payment during this process.

For more information, visit the Category D3 Professional Visit Visa webpage.

Do I need a work permit as an intra-corporate transferee?

Yes. To work in Brunei Darussalam for a Bruneian registered employer or for long-term work, you will need to apply for a Foreign Worker License (LPA).  

A Foreign Worker License may be required for activities while employed by an employer registered in Brunei Darussalam. For more information check the Foreign Worker License webpage from the Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

If you intend on staying in Brunei Darussalam for more than 3 months you are also required to obtain an Identity Card. In order to obtain an Identity Card you will need to submit an application, passport, and Foreign Workers License in person at a one of the offices of the Department of Immigration and National Registration

More information about the process to obtain a Foreign Worker License can be found on the Foreign Worker License webpage of the Department of Labour’s website

A Foreign Worker License is valid for 24-months from the date issued, with the option to renew.

Investors

Do I qualify as an investor?

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, an investor is a Canadian business person who seeks to make an investment or has made investments in Brunei Darussalam, and seeks temporary entry for the purpose of dealing with any matters concerning their investment.

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, Canadian investors can stay in Brunei Darussalam for up to 3-months with the possibility of extension for up to 12-months.

Do I need a visa as an investor?

Yes. If you plan to visit Brunei Darussalam as a Canadian investor, you need a Category D3 Business Visit Visa. If you have an APEC Business Travel Card with an approved “Valid for Travel to BRN” designation, you may enter Brunei Darussalam without a Business Visit visa.

How do I apply for a Business Visit Visa as an investor?

To apply for a Business Visit Visa, a registered business must apply on your behalf. The visa application can be found on the Brunei Darussalam Immigration webpage and must be submitted to the Visa and Diplomatic Section of Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam. If approved, the applicant must take the approval letter to the nearest Brunei Darussalam Mission Abroad to be issued the relevant visa stamp or enter Brunei Darussalam with the visa issuance on arrival basis and complete payment during this process.

For more information, visit the Category D3 Professional Visit visa page

Do I need a work permit as an investor?

If your investment plans include residence and work in Brunei Darussalam for an extended period, you may also require a Foreign Worker License (LPA). Please confirm with the nearest Brunei Darussalam Mission Abroad.

A Foreign Worker License may be required for activities while employed by an employer registered in Brunei Darussalam. For more information check the Foreign Worker License webpage from the Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

If you intend on staying in Brunei Darussalam for more than 3 months you are also required to obtain an Identity Card. In order to obtain an Identity Card you will need to submit an application, passport, and Foreign Workers License in person at a one of the offices of the Department of Immigration and National Registration

More information about the process to obtain a Foreign Worker License can be found on the Foreign Worker License webpage of the Department of Labour’s website

A Foreign Worker License is valid for 24-months from the date issued, with the option to renew.

Professionals

Do I qualify as a professional?

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a professional is a business person who seeks to travel to Brunei Darussalam temporarily for the purpose of carrying out professional activities. The business person must possess appropriate educational and other qualifications relevant to the service to be provided in Brunei Darussalam.

For Brunei Darussalam’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian professional can stay in Brunei Darussalam for an initial period of 3 months and up to 12 months or the duration of the contract, whichever is shorter.

Do I need a visa as a professional?

Yes. If you plan to visit Brunei Darussalam as a Canadian professional, you need a Professional Visit Visa. If you have an APEC Business Travel Card with an approved “Valid for Travel to BRN” designation you may enter Brunei Darussalam without a Professional Visit Visa.

How do I apply for a Professional Visit Visa?

To apply for a Professional Visit Visa, a registered business company or government-linked company based in Brunei Darussalam must apply on behalf of the applicant. The visa application can be found on the Brunei Darussalam Immigration webpage and must be submitted to the Visa and Diplomatic Section of Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam. If approved, the applicant must take the approval letter to the nearest Brunei Darussalam Mission Abroad to be issued the relevant visa stamp or enter Brunei Darussalam with the visa issuance on arrival basis and complete payment during this process.

For more information, visit the Category D3 Professional Visit visa webpage.

Do I need a work permit as a professional?

Yes. To work in Brunei Darussalam for a Bruneian registered employer or for long-term work, you will need to apply for a Foreign Worker License (LPA). 

A Foreign Worker License may be required for activities while employed by an employer registered in Brunei Darussalam. For more information check the Foreign Worker License webpage from the Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

If you intend on staying in Brunei Darussalam for more than 3 months you are also required to obtain an Identity Card. In order to obtain an Identity Card you will need to submit an application, passport, and Foreign Workers License in person at a one of the offices of the Department of Immigration and National Registration

More information about the process to obtain a Foreign Worker License can be found on the Foreign Worker License webpage of the Department of Labour’s website

A Foreign Worker License is valid for 24-months from the date issued, with the option to renew.

I qualify for temporary entry into Brunei Darussalam under the CPTPP; can my spouse or dependants accompany me?

Brunei Darussalam extends temporary entry coverage to spouses and dependants for select categories under the CPTPP. Spouses and dependants of Canadian business visitors, installers or servicers and investors are not eligible for temporary entry into Brunei Darussalam under its CPTPP commitments. Spouses and dependants of Canadian intra-corporate transferees and professionals are eligible for temporary entry into Brunei Darussalam under its CPTPP commitments. The period of stay offered to spouses and dependants are equivalent to the length of stay of the principal applicant.

Typically, the spouse or dependant of a covered Canadian business person should apply for their Dependant visa at the same time, in a separate visa application from the main applicant’s visa application.

For more information about temporary entry for spouses and dependants, see the Types of Visa page on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or contact the Brunei Embassy in Ottawa.

What if I am a business person under a category that is not covered?

Entry into Brunei Darussalam for Canadian business persons not belonging to any of the categories covered under the CPTPP is subject to Brunei Darussalam’s acts and regulations governing entry and stay.

To explore other paths for entry into Brunei Darussalam, please consult Brunei Darussalam’s immigration portal.

Disclaimer:

The information contained herein is current as of May 2023 (national immigration legislations may change, sometimes at short notice). It is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute general legal advice. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more in-depth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances (including, without limitation, criminal or health-related circumstances) conducted by competent professionals, (iii) indicated processing times and fees herein are approximate, are subject to the specific case circumstances, and change. The information herein does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.