Brunei’s Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD) has intensified immigration enforcement activities across the country, uncovering multiple violations involving foreign nationals during a series of inspections conducted under “Operasi Kakas 2026.” The development serves as a timely reminder for employers, foreign workers, and multinational organizations operating in Brunei that immigration compliance remains a key government priority.
According to reports published on 25 August 2026, Brunei immigration authorities conducted several enforcement operations across Mukim Sengkurong and Mukim Berakas, inspecting foreign nationals residing and working in the country. [thestar.com.my]
The inspections identified several categories of immigration offenses and reflect Brunei’s ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance.
Common Immigration Risks for Employers
The recent enforcement actions highlight several recurring compliance risks that organizations should monitor carefully:
- Working on the Wrong Immigration Status
One of the most common offenses identified was individuals working while holding visitor passes instead of approved employment authorization. Organizations should ensure all foreign workers receive the appropriate approval before commencing any employment activities.
- Overstaying Immigration Passes
Brunei authorities also identified individuals who allegedly remained in the country after their immigration status had expired. Employers should maintain robust tracking systems to monitor visa and pass expiry dates.
- Working for an Unauthorized Employer
Authorities reported suspected cases involving workers who were not employed by their original sponsoring employer. In employer-sponsored immigration systems such as Brunei’s, authorization is generally tied to a specific employer and approved role.
Organizations managing expatriate populations in Brunei should also ensure that any changes in job role, work location, employer entity, or employment contract are assessed from an immigration perspective before implementation.
Immigration compliance is not merely an administrative process but an ongoing operational responsibility. Immigration compliance extends beyond obtaining an initial work authorization. Ongoing monitoring of visa validity, employer sponsorship arrangements, work duties, and document retention is equally important. Proactive management of immigration status, documentation, and sponsorship arrangements remains essential to avoiding disruption to business operations and employee assignments.
