Brunei Visas & Entry Requirements

How to Enter Brunei? Quick Answers

• Do I need a visa to enter Brunei? Visa exemption is offered to citizens of certain countries, including the EU, UK and US. Find out whether you need a visa here. Nationalities that are not visa-exempt will need to apply for a visa at the nearest Brunei consulate or office. Citizens of a few countries can apply for a Visa on Arrival.
• What are the other requirements for entering Brunei? Travellers must complete an E-Arrival Card. This is mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Brunei. Visitors also need to complete a health declaration before or on arrival. Visitors may be required to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling from a transition-risk country .
• Do I need proof of onward travel? Yes, visitors are required to have proof of onward travel when entering Brunei.
• Do I need travel insurance? No, visitors are not required to show proof of travel insurance, however, holding a policy can offer peace of mind. See popular insurers here.

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Brunei Visa Summary

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Visa exemption is available for travellers of many nationalities for 90 days. Find out whether you need a visa here.

If you require a visa to enter the country, you must apply through your nearest Brunei Darussalam immigration office or consulate.

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Brunei: Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements & Documents

• A passport with six months validity and a minimum of one blank page
• A valid visa (for non-visa-exempt nationalities)

Travel Insurance Requirements

• Not mandatory, however, some travellers like to take out a policy whenever they travel

Vaccination Requirements

• Yellow fever vaccination certificate, if you are travelling from a transition-risk country
• Polio vaccination if arriving from a polio-affected country

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Brunei: Visa Exemption

In summary, citizens from the EU, UK and US are visa exempt, however, this list is not exhaustive.

The complete list of countries that can enter Brunei on the 90-day visa exemption (also known as a visa waiver) scheme can be found on the official government website. For some nationalities (including New Zealand) the visa waiver is only valid for 30 days, or even 14 days (including some Southeast Asian countries).

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Brunei: Type of Visas

Visa on Arrival (VOA): 30-Day Single- or Multiple-Entry Visa

• Also called a Social Visit Visa, this is a visa that is valid for tourism purposes for a total stay of 30 days. The visa may be valid for single or multiple entry.
• How to apply: Very few foreign nationals (including Australian citizens) can apply for a visa on arrival. Apply at the border/checkpoint (during your journey by bus or plane you will be given the entry form to fill out).
• Cost: Approx. 20–30BND or $16–24 USD
• What do you need to apply? 
  • A current passport with six months validity and a minimum of one blank page plus
  • Visa Form and arrival card which will be available on all incoming flights/buses
  • Passport-size photograph

Tourist Visa: 90-Day Single-Entry Tourist Visa

• What is a Tourist Visa? A single-entry visa that is valid for tourism purposes for a total stay of 90 days. 
• How to apply: Most travellers that are required to have a visa need to apply through the nearest Brunei embassy or consulate. Unfortunately, Brunei doesn’t have an electronic application system.
• Cost: Approx. 20–30BND or $16–24USD
• What do you need to apply?
  • A current passport with six months validity and a minimum of one blank page
  • Visa form, which can be downloaded on the official website
  • Passport-sized photograph

Other documents may be required but will vary based on your citizenship. The consulate will assist you with additional requirements.

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Brunei: Extending your Visa

Currently, Brunei does NOT allow visa extensions.

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Border Runs from Brunei

If you’ve nearly been in Brunei for the maximum allowed stay of 90 days, you may want to do a ‘border run’.

The most common border crossing from Brunei is via Miri in Malaysian Borneo.

Read more about doing visa runs in Southeast Asia here.

How many times can you re-enter Brunei via a border run? Currently, there is no law against border runs. You can attempt this process as often as you need as long as you follow the local immigration laws and do not overstay or misuse your visa or visa waiver.

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Brunei: Overstaying your Visa

Penalties for Overstaying in Brunei

There is an official list of fines and penalties for overstaying your allocated time in Brunei. It can be viewed here. The below penalties apply to anyone remaining unlawfully in the country. (Subject to change.)

Overstaying under 90 days after visa/visa exemption expiry:

• Fine of up to $4,000USD
• Imprisonment (up to six months)

Overstaying over 90 days after visa/visa exemption expiry:

• Imprisonment (starting at three months, going up to two years)
• Whipping of at least three strokes