Labour policy in Brunei Darussalam is flexible. The shortage of local labour has been compensated by the recruitment of foreign workers which makes up about one-third of the total work-force. Thus an investor rarely faces difficulties in securing approval for recruiting foreign workers especially in cases where locals are not available to perform the job.

All non-Brunei Darussalam citizens require a work permit which is valid for two years. Application must first be made to the Labour Department for a labour licence. On the recommendation of the Labour Department, the Immigration Department will give permission for the workers to enter Brunei Darussalam. The Labour Department requires either cash deposit or a banker's guarantee to cover the cost of a one-way airfare to the home country of an immigrant worker.

An approved labour licence cannot be altered for at least six months after issue. Applications will not be accepted until the formation of a local company or a branch of foreign company has been officially approved and registered.

VISAS

Malaysian, Singaporean and British nationals with the right of abode in U.K. are exempted from requirement to obtain visa for visits not exceeding 30 days.

Visas are also waived for visit of 14 days for nationals of Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, France, Switzerland, Republic of Korea, Canada, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, Sweden and Republic of Maldives. However, visas are required if nationals of these countries intend to stay in Brunei Darussalam for longer than 14 days.

All other nationals entering Brunei Darussalam must have visas obtainable from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic mission or representatives of other governments who are performing consular functions on behalf of His Majesty's government.

Visitors who wish to enter Brunei Darussalam to take up employment must arrange with their employers to obtain employment passes prior to their arrival. Spouses and children under 18 years of age of pass holders are required to obtain dependents' passes.