Moving to Singapore from Brunei: Key Visa & Entry Requirements (Quick Answer)
Brunei citizens can generally enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism or short business trips, but any move to work, study, or live long term in Singapore requires a valid pass issued by the Singapore authorities such as the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).[1][2][6][7]
This cluster guide sits under Homejourney’s broader relocation pillar, helping you move from Brunei to Singapore safely and confidently. Once you understand your Brunei visa-free entry rights, long‑stay passes and entry requirements, it becomes much easier to plan jobs, housing, schools and investments with Homejourney as your trusted real estate partner.
1. Life in Brunei vs Life in Singapore: Why Bruneians Relocate
If you are familiar with the calm pace of Bandar Seri Begawan or Gadong, landing in Singapore’s CBD – around Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar and Marina Bay – feels like stepping into a much denser, faster city. Both countries are safe, orderly, and multicultural, but Singapore is far more urban and globally connected, especially for finance, technology, and logistics.
Many Bruneians consider Singapore for:
- Career growth – regional headquarters in Marina Bay, Suntec, and One-North offer higher salaries and broader roles.
- Education – National University of Singapore (NUS) in Kent Ridge and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in the west are top-ranked in Asia.
- Connectivity – direct flights between Brunei and Singapore, plus easy links to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Tokyo and beyond.
- Quality of life – excellent public transport, reliable healthcare, and diverse neighbourhoods from family‑friendly Tampines to upscale Orchard.
In day‑to‑day living, Bruneians often find food courts (hawker centres) in areas like Tiong Bahru, Toa Payoh and Bedok especially familiar – halal options are easy to find, and prices start around S$4–6 for a basic rice or noodle dish, slightly higher than many eateries in Brunei but still affordable for daily meals.
2. Visa-Free Entry from Brunei and Long‑Stay Passes
2.1 Short Visits: Bruneians Entering Singapore Visa-Free
Most Brunei passport holders can visit Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, family visits or short business trips.[2][5][6] This is what people usually mean when they talk about a visa-free Brunei–Singapore travel corridor.
However, even without a visa, you must still meet ICA’s general entry requirements:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months at time of departure from Singapore.[7]
- Confirmed onward or return ticket (if applicable).[7]
- Sufficient funds for your stay.[7]
- Entry facilities to your next destination (if you are transiting).[7]
Almost all travellers – including Bruneians – must also complete the SG Arrival Card online within three days before entering Singapore.[9] This is not a visa; it is a health and travel declaration required for immigration clearance.
2.2 Moving to Singapore: Work, Study and Long‑Term Passes
To move to Singapore from Brunei, you will need more than the 30‑day visa‑free stay. Long‑term relocation requires a valid pass from MOM or ICA.[1][7] Common options include:
- Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals and managers with a qualifying salary and suitable qualifications; tied to a Singapore employer.[1]
- S Pass – for mid‑skilled workers with defined minimum salary, quota and levy rules; also employer‑sponsored.[1]
- Student’s Pass – for full‑time students admitted to Singapore education institutions.
- Dependant’s Pass / Long‑Term Visit Pass – for eligible family members of certain EP/S Pass holders.
MOM’s qualifying salary thresholds and criteria are updated regularly, so always verify the latest details on official MOM and ICA websites or through a licensed relocation consultant. Homejourney recommends that you do this before signing any property lease or purchase so your housing plan aligns with your immigration status.
3. Jobs and Cost of Living: Brunei vs Singapore
3.1 Employment Opportunities for Bruneians
Bruneians often target sectors where English and regional experience are valued:
- Finance and banking – roles in Raffles Place, Marina Bay and Shenton Way, including risk, compliance, and wealth management.
- Oil & gas / energy – corporate and technical roles with regional responsibilities, often headquartered in Alexandra or HarbourFront.
- Technology and startups – positions in One‑North, Mapletree Business City, or city‑fringe co‑working spaces.
- Education and healthcare – especially for those with recognised professional credentials.
As a practical tip, plan to attend interviews and networking meetings in the CBD and One‑North during one of your short visa‑free visits, then finalise your employment pass after you secure an offer.
3.2 Cost of Living: What to Expect
Compared with Brunei, Singapore’s housing and car ownership are significantly more expensive, but public transport and basic hawker food remain reasonable. A typical lunch near Tanjong Pagar MRT is S$6–10 at a hawker centre, and a 3‑room HDB flat rental in a suburban town like Woodlands or Yishun might start from around S$2,500–S$3,000 per month depending on market conditions, while a one‑bedroom condo in the city fringe (e.g. Queenstown) can be considerably higher.
Homejourney helps Bruneian expats simulate monthly budgets by combining rental or mortgage estimates via Bank Rates with current listing prices from our property search at Property Search . This allows you to compare realistic scenarios against your expected Singapore salary before you commit.
4. Property in Singapore for Expats from Brunei
4.1 What Foreigners Can and Cannot Buy
Under Singapore’s Residential Property Act and URA/Singapore Land Authority guidelines, most non‑resident foreigners (including Bruneians without PR) can freely purchase:
- Private condominiums and apartments.
- Strata‑titled units in approved developments.[1]
However, you generally cannot buy HDB flats as a foreigner, and you need special approval to buy most landed homes (such as terrace houses or bungalows).[1] Homejourney’s Projects Directory helps you filter for projects that are open to foreign buyers, with verified information so you do not accidentally shortlist restricted properties.
4.2 ABSD for Bruneian Buyers
Beyond standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), foreigners are usually subject to Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property purchases.[1] ABSD rates differ for Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners and they are adjusted from time to time by the government through IRAS.
Because ABSD has a major impact on your investment returns, always:
- Check the latest official IRAS ABSD tables before you buy.
- Use Homejourney’s mortgage tools at Mortgage Rates to test different down‑payment and loan scenarios.
- Speak with a qualified tax or legal professional for complex cases.
4.3 Popular Neighbourhoods for Bruneian Expats
From working with Bruneian clients, several neighbourhoods repeatedly come up:
- Tampines / Pasir Ris – family‑friendly, near Changi Airport (useful for frequent flights to Brunei), with major malls like Tampines Mall and White Sands.
- Queenstown / Buona Vista / One‑North – ideal for those in tech or research; a short MRT ride to the CBD and close to NUS.
- Orchard / River Valley – for those prioritising shopping, international schools and a central location, though rentals and prices are higher.
