Brunei allows visa-free entry to several nationalities for short-term periods, and visas on arrival are also available for a handful of eligible countries.
Anyone who is not visa-exempt or eligible for a Brunei visa on arrival has to apply for a visa at an Embassy prior to travelling.
Do I Need a Visa for Brunei?
Brueni is part of the ASEAN agreement, which allows visa-free travel between citizens of the particitpating countries. Citizens of the following countries can enter Brunei visa-free for a determined period of time:
- EU Member States (up to 90 days)
- Iceland (up to 90 days)
- Liechtenstein (up to 90 days)
- Norway (up to 90 days)
- Switzerland (up to 90 days)
- United Kingdom (up to 90 days)
- United States (up to 90 days)
- Laos (up to 30 days)
- Malaysia (up to 30 days)
- New Zealand (up to 30 days)
- Oman (up to 30 days)
- Singapore (up to 30 days)
- South Korea (up to 30 days)
- Turkey (up to 30 days)
- Ukraine (up to 30 days)
- United Arab Emirates (up to 30 days)
- Cambodia (up to 14 days)
- Canada (up to 14 days)
- Costa Rica (up to 14 days)
- Hong Kong (up to 14 days)
- Indonesia (up to 14 days)
- Japan (up to 14 days)
- Macau (up to 14 days)
- Maldives (up to 14 days)
- Myanmar (up to 14 days)
- Peru (up to 14 days)
- Philippines (up to 14 days)
- Russia (up to 14 days)
- Thailand (up to 14 days)
- Vietnam (up to 14 days)
Holders of diplomatic or official/service passports the countries listed below are also allowed visa-free entry to Brunei:
- Bangladesh
- China
- India
- Iran
- Kuwait
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Tajikistan
Types of Brunei Visas
The types of visas issued by the Brunei government are:
- Brunei tourist visa. This visa is issued to foreign nationals who will enter Brunei for tourism or visit friends or family.
- Brunei business visa. This visa is issued to foreign nationals who intend to invest or will be engaged in business-related activities in Brunei.
- Brunei work visa. This visa is issued to foreign nationals who have found employment in Brunei.
- Brunei dependent visa. This visa is issued to the spouse and dependent children of work visa holders.
- Brunei student visa. This visa is issued to foreign nationals who will study in a Brunei educational institution.
- Brunei transit visa. This visa can be issued on arrival for 72 hours ar Brunei International Airport.
What Are the Brunei Visa Requirements?
The documents required for a Brunei visa application are:
- The Brunei Visa application form.
- Your passport as well as a copy of your passport, with at least another six months validity.
- Two recent, passport-size pictures. They should be coloured, and with a white background.
- A copy of your return ticket.
- Proof of accommodation in Brunei. E.g. hotel reservation or the address where you will stay, if staying with family/friends.
- Proof you can financially support yourself in Brunei.
- Your contact details.
- Payment of the visa fee.
- If you will apply by mail: A pre-paid, self-addressed envelope for the consular services to return your documents.
- If travelling for business/investment:
- Your sponsor must submit the relevant company/organization documentation
- Your sponsor must write you a Letter of Support
Do I Need Travel Insurance When Applying for a Brunei Visa?
No, having travel insurance is not required by law in Brunei. However, governments always advise to purchase travel insurance when visiting Brunei. If you are planning to stay longer in Brunei, i.e with a work visa, student visa, or a dependent visa, you should look out for expat health insurance options.
Ways to Apply for a Visa to Brunei
You can apply for a Brunei Visa in one of the following three methods:
- At the nearest Embassy/Consulate of Brunei. You have to apply via this method if:
- You are not visa-exempt
- You are not eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival
- You are visa-exempt/eligible for the VOA but you want to stay in Brunei long-term
- On arrival. Only nationals of countries eligible for the Brunei VOA.
- Your sponsor applies on your behalf at the Department of Immigration and National Registration. People travelling for business or investment purposes have to apply via a sponsor.
Find the methods of Brunei visa application detailed below.
Applying for a Brunei Visa at the Embassy
To apply for a Brunei visa, you have to find the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Brunei. You can find a list of Brunei’s missions abroad here.
- Contact the Embassy/Consulate to make an appointment (if necessary). You can also learn about visa application requirements by visiting their website.
- Complete the Brunei Visa Application Form. You can find the application form online at the website of the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs (here).
- Collect the required documents for the Brunei visa application. See a list of required documents under Brunei Visa Requirements
- Submit the application:
- In-person, on the date of your appointment if the Brunei diplomatic Embassy/Consulate is in your country of residence.
- If the Embassy/Consulate is in another country: Send the application through a secured courier. Include a prepaid self-addressed return envelope so they can return your documents and passport.
Processing time: It takes about three working days for your visa to be processed from the time you submit your completed application.
Applying for a Brunei Visa on Arrival
You can get a Brunei Visa on Arrival if you are from one of the following countries:
- You can get a single-entry visa for B$20 or a multiple-entry visa for B$30. Both are valid for 30 days.
- You can get a single-entry visa for B$20 or a multiple-entry visa for B$30. Both are valid for 30 days.
- You can get a single-entry visa for B$20 valid for 14 days. You must be on an arranged tour by a travel agency.
- You can get a single-entry visa for B$20 valid for 30 days.
- You can get a single-entry visa for B$20 valid for 14 days.
- Saudi Arabia. You can get a single-entry visa for B$20 valid for 30 days.
- You can get a single-entry visa for B$20 valid for 14 days.
You must approach the Department of Immigration and National Registration officers at the point of entry to get your Brunei visa on arrival.
Applying For a Brunei Visa With a Sponsor
If you are travelling to Brunei for business, investment, or professional reasons, such as offering professional work/expertise in a project, then you need a sponsor to apply for your Brunei visa.
- Your sponsor has to submit the visa application at the Visa and Diplomatic Section of the Department of Immigration and National Registration in Brunei.
- Your sponsor must submit any required supporting documents from the company/organization.
- You must send your sponsor any relevant supporting documents.
- After the application is approved, you can proceed to the nearest Brunei Embassy or Consulate to pick up the visa.
How Long Does It Take To Receive a Brunei Visa?
Most visas for Brunei are processed within three working days. If you are applying for a visa with a sponsor, the processing time may take up to 5 days.
If you are applying via mail, take into account the time it takes to deliver and receive your documents as well.
Brunei Visa Fee
The Brunei visa fees are:
- For a single-entry visa: B$20.00 or US$16.00
- For a multiple-entry visa up to 3 months: B$30.00 or US$24.00
- For a multiple-entry visa for more than 3 months: B$50.00 or US$40.00
How Long Is a Brunei Visa Issued For?
The validity of a Brunei visa depends on the visa type. For short-term visas, such as for tourism and business, visas are issued for up to three months, either for a single entry or for multiple entries.
Long-term Brunei visas are issued for a validity corresponding to the purpose of the application.
Can You Extend a Brunei Visa?
If you need to stay longer than your visa allows, then you can apply for a Brunei visa extension at one of the local immigration offices in Brunei.
If you are visa-exempt, and you know before you travel that you want to stay longer than allowed, you have to apply for a visa at an Embassy.
Brunei Transit Visa
Travelers who will change flights in Brunei International Airport can get a Brunei transit visa for which is valid for a maximum of 72 hours (3 days). Requirements for a Brunei transit visa are:
- You must be arriving and departing via Brunei International Airport
- You must have a valid passport
- You must have a confirmed onward-flight ticket within 72 hours
- You must have a valid visa for the third country of destination (if a visa is required)
- You must pay the visa fee in the local currency. The fee for a transit visa is B$5 (Brunei Dollars)
You are not allowed to extend a transit visa.