Guide on Registering Brunei Citizenship Examination (Update#2)

I never thought registering Brunei Citizenship examination are fucking inconvenient. Worst, I don't see local bloggers write about it either in the web search telling us how and what to bring. So to make this easy, I decided to write the guide for my future reference and hopefully able to help you fellow PR.

• Update #2 (2023) - Proofreading, correction and added information for letter change of phone no. and home address.
• Update 1# (2013) - Added ICI travel document copies requirement.
  

For those already graduated or are good at Bahasa Melayu, I strongly encourage you who are 18 years old onward to take the examination early if you intend to continue to stay in Brunei. Do not worry about wasting your time, you are young and can enjoy life. There are only two meetings and one exam, that’s it. Take the opportunity since you have the higher chance of getting citizenship.

Avoid Waste of Time

First of all, people may be told to register in the capital usually way faster. It's true but my question is, do you need to be in that hurry? Bahasa Brunei is not an easy subject to learn, even most local Malay don’t even good at it and remembering every detail of this country takes lots of effort in studying. Unless you already have good confidence in speaking and writing, you may go ahead. Still, if you live in Belait or Tutong or even Temburong district. My suggestion go for the nearest and shortest route to the immigration building for registration.

The reason I recommend that way is nobody knows when the law and rules will change every year in Brunei (as well announced by His Majesty during his Birthday). To be extra cautious and avoid waste of time going back and forth. You better first off prepare the necessary require original and photocopy documents before heading over. My best advice is, JUST BRING EVERYTHING!

Be Mental Prepare

Yes, be mental prepare to get fucked by Government employees. A lot of my friends told me some of these people are rude, trouble and disrespectful during registration. Don't ask why. The only thing you just need to keep your cool down and ignore them 100% all time.

Of course, friends' words can be deceiving and should see the truth with your own eyes. From my personal experience, the lady who served me are really helpful and teaching me how to fill up the forms correctly. Everything went smoothly except had to go back the second time because some documents I don't have photocopied and my original ICI travel document was left at home.

This is what I meant above, such a problem can occur sometimes so it is pointless how fast the registration can be done in the BSB. But once you forget or don't have any of these documents they wanted. In the end, you need to head back home looking for it again. Remember, it's nearly two hours drive up and down. The nearest always saved you time.


What You Need to Know

Note: I was thinking about scanning and uploading the national registration form to the internet saving everyone time. In the end, I held back, not because I was afraid of the law or something. I realized the rules have changed in 2011 so to be safe and make sure the registration form is not replaced. The immigration official website has lacking information and is unreliable. I encouraged you to go in person to your nearest immigration office to get the latest updated forms and requirement documents.

Criminal Record: This is a touchy subject. But sorry to say, you are not eligible to register for the Citizenship exam if you commit crimes and go to jail. If your parents do have criminal records, this may affect you. Please check with the immigration for more information.

Here is what I was told, the Gov employees (for KB immigration) advise everyone to bring along all their original documents, prepare photocopies of the document, and fill the forms directly in immigration. The form and letter they gave out will be recorded with the register code so it's not wise to photocopy yourself and fill straight away. No worries, you will be guided carefully and make sure the information's correctly filled in. There will be a few questions to be asked while they looking at your documents at the same time.

Since you will be there filling up the forms yourself, use a blue pen and try your best to write in Bahasa Malay. Most importantly, dress with respect and your hair too. Sadly, I see so many continue to wear slippers and shorts when registering. Don’t you know it's very disrespectful?


What to Bring

The information below is merely based on the paper that requires it to be shown in the immigration. Again, for your own fucking sake, bring EVERYTHING no matter if you are single or married with children! They just want to see it!

Original documents require preparation to show during registration:-

1. Company letter.
2. Your Birth Certificate.
3. A letter or yellow card of Resident Permit (original or certified true copy).
4. Islam Certificate. (only for those already or convert to Muslim)
5. Marriage Certificate
6. High school, colleague and university leave certificate/testimonial.
7. P.C.E, PMB, G.C.E 'O' / 'A' level and others you have completed through your studies in the past or present.
8. Certificate of Identity (ICI) travel document.
9. Identity card.
10. Both your father's and mother's identity cards.
11. If your parents already passed away, you need to bring along a register of a death certificate.
12. Important highlight: Please take note, if either your parent change their name before, you are required to show and give one photocopy document.

Require photocopy documents and others for registration:-

• 2x Passport Photo
• 1x Company letter
• 1x Birth Certificate
• 1x Letter or yellow form Resident Permit (original or certified true copy)
• 1x Islam Certificate
• 1x Marriage Certificate
• 2x Identity card
• 1x Every copy for High school, colleague and university leave certificate/testimonial.
• 1x Every copy for P.C.E, PMB, G.C.E 'O' / 'A' level and others you have completed through your studies in the past or present.
• 1x Every copy of both your father's and mother's identity cards or register of the death certificate.
• 1x ICI travel document copy for each below:
  
• Page one (Horizontal Top)
• Pages 2 & 3 (vertical mid)
• Pages 42 & 43 (vertical mid)
• Page 48 (vertical mid)
• Lastly your latest date for reentry permit stamp (horizontal top)

Additional information:

• There is a page containing useful information regarding citizenship and downloadable forms to which you can refer. Link
  
• Pertukaran Nombor Telefon (Letter) *A copy of your photocopy IC is require.
• Tukar Alamat (Letter) *A copy of your photocopy IC is require.