Brunei is a small country with a relatively straightforward visa policy. Even though few people visit the sultanate, it remains open to the world with few administrative visa-related hurdles.
Many can travel to Brunei without prior planning. To help you orientate yourself with Brunei’s visa policy, this article will answer all questions about:
- What is Brunei’s transit visa policy?
- What are Brunei’s visa requirements?
- Who is visa-exempt and for how long?
- What kinds of tourist visas exist and who’s eligible for each?
Table of Contents
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Brunei Visa Policy
Nationals of 56 countries are visa-exempted to visit Brunei. The allowed stay is either 14, 30, or 90 days. See below for a complete breakdown.
Nationals of 7 countries are eligible for a visa on arrival. This is valid for all border checkpoints and the type of visa varies by country.
Everyone else can obtain a tourist visa from the nearest Brunei embassy.
A transit visa is possible for those traveling to a third country within 72 hours. It is only issued at Brunei International Airport and is subject to special conditions.
Entry and transit are strictly refused to nationals of Israel.
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Brunei Visa Requirements
The following requirements apply to all visitors of Brunei:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months on the day of entry
- A return or onward ticket
- Sufficient funds to support themselves while in the country
If you don’t have a ticket out of Brunei booked, consider getting an onward ticket to avoid problems at check-in or the border.
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Brunei Visa Types
The different ways to travel to Brunei as a tourist are:
- Visa Exempt: 56 countries are visa-exempt
- Visa on Arrival: 7 countries can obtain a visa on arrival
- Tourist Visa: The rest of the countries can apply for a tourist visa at a Brunei embassy abroad
- Transit Visa: Visa-required countries can obtain a transit visa if traveling to a third country within 72 hours of arrival
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Brunei Visa Exemption
The following countries are visa-exempt to travel to Brunei. The length of stay depends on the nationality as listed below.
14 days
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Macau
- Maldives
- Myanmar
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Thailand
- Vietnam
30 days
- Laos
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Oman
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
90 days
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Visa exemption is granted at all international border crossings.
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Brunei Visa on Arrival
Brunei offers Visa on Arrival (VOA) for 7 countries but the entry type, cost and duration varies from country to country.
VOA is either 14 or 30 days and comes in single-entry or multiple-entry variants. Eligibility is based on nationality.
Below is a summary of Brunei’s various Visa on Arrival types.
| Type | Cost | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Single-entry | 20 BND (15$) | 30 days |
| B | Multiple-entry | 30 BND (22$) | 30 days |
| C | Single-entry | 20 BND (15$) | 14 days |
| D | Multiple-entry | 30 BND (22$) | 14 days |
Below are the eligible countries with available Visa on Arrival type (in brackets).
- Australia (A, B)
- Bahrain (A, B)
- China (C, D)
- Kuwait (A)
- Qatar (C)
- Saudi Arabia (A)
- Taiwan (C)
Brunei Visa on Arrival is available at all border crossings.
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Brunei Tourist Visa from the Embassy
If you’re neither visa-exempt nor eligible for a visa on arrival, you must obtain a regular tourist visa to visit Brunei.
If there’s a Brunei embassy in your country, then you’re required to visit and submit the documents in person. Otherwise, you can send them using a secured courier to the nearest diplomatic mission in nearby countries.
The required documents are:
- Completed Visa application form (download, print and fill out before you visit the embassy)
- A copy of your passport bio page
- 2 recent colored passport-sized photos
- Confirmed return/onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation in Brunei (a hotel reservation is usually sufficient)
- Your contact details
The tourist visa costs 20 BND (~15 USD).
The validity of the tourist visa is 90 days. It is most often a single-entry visa valid for 30 days but this depends on your nationality and the issuing embassy.
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Brunei Transit Visa
The transit visa is a wonderful option for short-term travelers who are only passing through Brunei en route to their final destination. It allows stays of up to 3 days under few restrictions. That’s plenty of time to visit the main attractions in Brunei.
Visa-exempt nationalities do not need a transit visa because they can enter the country visa-free.
No transit visa is required for layovers shorter than 24 hours at Brunei International Airport. However, you will not be allowed to exit the airport. If you want to explore Brunei during your layover, consider getting a transit visa.
Requirements for the Transit Visa
The main condition for the Brunei transit visa is that you arrive at Brunei International Airport from one country but depart to another within 72 hours.
You are not eligible for a transit visa if you come from and leave for the same country.
For example, if you fly from Malaysia to Brunei and then within 3 days fly from Brunei to Singapore, you’re eligible for a transit visa. However, if you want to fly back to Malaysia, that won’t work and you will need a tourist visa for your trip.
The other requirements are:
- Valid ordinary passport
- Confirmed ticket for your next flight
- Valid visa to the next country (if required)
A sponsor (for example, a Brunei-registered airline or a travel agent) is additionally required for the following countries:
- Bangladesh
- India
- Iran
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
A transit visa is NOT available for these 3 countries:
- Cuba
- Israel
- North Korea
The transit visa costs 5 BND (~4 USD). Extensions are not permitted.
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Brunei E-Arrival Card
All foreign nationals arriving in Brunei must complete the E-Arrival Card. You can do the registration and complete the E-Arrival Card online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Brunei?
Visa exemption is available to 56 nationalities, including the EU, UK, and US. Visa on Arrival is available to Australia, Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. Check if you need a visa on the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
How much is the visa on arrival for Brunei?
Brunei visa on arrival costs 30 BND for multiple entry and 20 BND for single entry. Visa on arrival is valid for either 14 or 30 days depending on the nationality.
How long can I stay in Brunei without a visa?
Visa exemptions are granted for either 14, 30, or 90 days. Visa on arrival is either 14 days or 30 days. A standard tourist visa is usually 30 days. This all depends on your nationality.
Do I need a Covid vaccination certificate for Brunei?
Not required.
How can I get a Brunei visa online?
You can’t. Brunei doesn’t issue e-visas.
