How to Register a Company in Brunei as a Foreigner?  

Brunei is located on the northern coast of Borneo and is one of the smallest but wealthiest countries in Southeast Asia. The country is also popularly known for high standards of living, free healthcare and education. Apart from that, Brunei is well-known to have a stable environment for foreign businesses. Brunei is ruled by an Islamic monarchy, the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is recognized as one of the longest and wealthiest reigning monarchs.  

The country offers attractive advantages for its citizens and foreign investors, such as no tax on personal income, a digital company registration process and growing opportunities for business in various industries. As a foreign entrepreneur in Brunei, you will also benefit from the countries free-trade agreements, proximity to other ASEAN countries and 100% foreign ownership without any restrictions.  

This blog will help you understand the legal requirements associated with company registration in Brunei as a foreigner.  

Business Landscape of Brunei  

The Nation of Brunei has been recognized as a stable and welcoming environment for foreign businesses. The authority responsible for company registration and company formation in Brunei is the Registry of Companies and Business Names (ROCBN) under the Ministry of Finance. It is governed by the Companies Act of 1984, and under the laws of Brunei, the rules and regulations are set for compliance.  

Brunei Darussalam, popularly known as Brunei, is a small country but ranks among the wealthiest countries in the region. The country is rich in natural gas reserves and oil, which has highly contributed to Brunei’s overall economic stability and Human Development Index. The country’s business landscape has a mix of both foreign and regional enterprises, influenced by Brunei’s strong support from the government.   

Even today, Brunei Darussalam has maintained a steady economic growth with resilient recovery and a 2.0% to 2.6% market growth projection in 2025-26. Apart from oil and gas, the country is showing excellent opportunities in the agri-food, petrochemical projects, tourism, finance, biotech and healthcare. Additionally, the country’s Vision 2035 has committed to building a skilled workforce and a sustainable economy. 

Legal Structures for Company Registration in Brunei 

To register a company in Brunei as a foreigner, the country offers various legal structures as follows: 

• Brunei International Limited Partnership (Brunei ILP) 

• Brunei Limited Liability Company (SDN BHD) 

• The Brunei Public Limited Company 

• The Brunei Free Zone Company 

• The Brunei branch office 

• The Brunei representative office 

How to Register a Company in Brunei as a Foreigner?  

Brunei is a small country that has been steadily growing for the last two decades. The process of company registration in Brunei is made quick and convenient for all businesses through the official online businessBN portal of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The process to register a company in Brunei as a foreigner is as follows: 

Understand the Business Landscape  

The first step to register a company in Brunei is to understand the business landscape of the country such as regulatory environment, local business landscape and market conditions. You will have to identify the business opportunities, your target customers, competitors, gap in the market and scalability. You will also have to navigate through the country’s regulatory and legal process, including staying updated with Brunei’s economic growth and tax rates.  

Apply for Valid Business Visa  

To enter the Brunei market as a foreigner, you will need a valid business visa depending on your nationality. However, countries that issue APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to its citizens will be exempted from visa requirements. You will have to submit your visa application with supporting documents such as passport copy etc., and submit it to the Brunei Department of Immigration and National Registration.  

Choose a Business Structure  

To register a company in Brunei as a foreigner, you will need to choose the right business structure from the options such as International Limited Partnership (Brunei ILP), partnership, public limited company (Berhad, Bhd) and private limited company (Sendirian Berhad, Sdn Bhd). Each structure is tailored for different business needs therefore choosing the right structure is important as it helps you leverage numerous benefits for your company.   

Select and Reserve a Company Name  

Choose a company name that is available and is not used by any existing companies in Brunei. You can search and reserve company name through the online portal of the Registry of Companies and Business Names (ROCBN). You will have to ensure that the selected company name is compliant with the Trademark Act, Companies Act and the Names and Emblems Act guidelines.  

Register Your Company with Brunei Companies Registry 

To legally operate your business activities in Brunei, you will have to register your company in Brunei with the Companies Registry. To register your company, you will need to submit documents like Articles and Memorandum of Association to support your application. You will also have to login to the official Ministry of Finance and Economy’s online portal and fill the online registration form, submit the documents and pay the fees.  

Apply for Industry Specific License and Permits  

As a foreign investor in Brunei, you will need to apply for industry specific license and permits depending on business type. You will need to apply for license and permits from relevant authorities like Ministry of Industry, Municipal Department and Ministry of Finance. For e.g., if your business is in the financial sector, you will need a financial license from the BDCB and if your business is in food industry, you will need to comply with Halal standards and apply for relevant certifications.  

Comply with Tax and Regulatory Requirements 

To legally operate your company in Brunei, you will need to comply with tax and regulatory requirements and adhere to mandatory employment contracts, working hours, file annual financial statements, maintain financial bookkeeping for the company and file tax returns with the Brunei Island Revenue Department. You will also have to pay a standard corporate tax of 18.5% from the profit earned within the country.  

Benefits of Starting a Company in Brunei as a Foreigner  

The benefits of starting a company in Brunei as a foreigner are: 

• Brunei do not have a minimum share capital for company incorporation.   

• The country has excellent double tax agreements with twenty-five countries.  

• Foreign entrepreneurs in Brunei can enjoy 100% foreign ownership with one director of any nationality, provided the director is a permanent resident of Brunei.  

• The country offers tax benefits and exemption of personal tax for both locals, foreign entrepreneurs and investors.  

• Brunei offers a stable economic and business-friendly environment for foreign entrepreneurs.  

Cost to Register a Company in Brunei  

The cost to register a company in Brunei varies on the type of structure you choose such as whether you choose a branch office or an LLC. The fee of registering a foreign branch office will depend on the share capital and for companies limited by shares, the cost is around USD 3,510 which will include the government and service fees.  

However, for the Brunei public limited companies, the cost will also depend on the share capital. In addition to this, if you take the help of the professional services to help you with company registration in Brunei, you will have to pay for the service taken, which will depend on the services provided. 

Tax Rates in Brunei  

Starting a business in Brunei as a foreign investor will give you many benefits, including tax. The country does not impose any personal income tax or capital gains tax, the tax you will have to pay is a standard corporate tax rate of 18.5% on income earned within the country.  

If your company is in the petroleum exploration and production of gas and oil, you will have to pay a tax rate of 55% on profits. In addition to this, foreigners in Brunei are required to pay withholding tax (WHT) on specific incomes, such as 2.5% on interest and 10% on royalties. The tax registration for both local and foreign businesses in Brunei is done through the System for Tax Administration and Revenue Services (STARS) under the under the Ministry of Finance and Economy. 

In a Nutshell 

Brunei is a thriving country that is offering excellent business opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs like you, as the government of Brunei sees foreign investment and businesses as an important contributor to the country’s economy.  

As a foreign entrepreneur, you can enjoy 100% foreign ownership, a simple tax system and no personal income tax, making the business environment very attractive.  

Brunei also has a strong currency, political stability and modern infrastructure that supports both startups and big corporations. The country’s strategic location in Southeast Asia will give you access to major regional markets with strong legal protection for investors from the government and improving legal framework to make company registration in Brunei as a foreigner simplified and straightforward.  

How Does Enterworld Help? 

With an experience of over 10+ years, working in 100+ countries, we have an expert team of different departments to assist you and identify the best business opportunities for you.  

Enterworld’s expert professionals will help you navigate the complex regulations of company registration in Brunei as a foreigner. We will guide and help you through the entire process of company registration in Brunei, legal documentation, choosing the right business structure and ensuring compliance.  

Enterworld’s tax experts will help you understand Brunei’s tax system and offer expert tax advisory services, leverage tax benefits and tax planning for your business in Brunei as a foreigner. Contact us today to speak with our experts or visit our website to learn more: visit https://enterworld.io/.

Frequently Asked Questions about company registration in Brunei