Brunei Visa Requirements - Who and How to Apply

If you are looking forward to taking a trip to Brunei Darussalam, it is essential to know Brunei visa requirements. By meeting the needs, you can enter Brunei without hindrance at the port of entry or while carrying out your purpose of visit.

Foreigners who need a visa for Brunei must apply through a Bruneian embassy or consulate before departure or arrival. As you plan to enter Brunei for work, study, family reunion, or any purpose whatsoever, you should also consider sightseeing some of the many attractions within the country. These include the Royal Regalia Museum, Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Ulu Temburong National Park, Jerudong Park Playground, Gadong Night Market, Silver Jubilee Park, Malay Technology Museum, Brunei Museum, and Tasek Lama Recreational Park.

In this article, we will discuss the different visa types for Brunei Darussalam, including their specific requirements, duration, and fees.

Let’s get started.

Brunei Visa-free Countries

Citizens of a few countries can travel to Brunei Darussalam without a visa for two weeks, one month, or three months respectively.

#.1 Maximum visa-free stay of 90 days: Any of EU Member States, Switzerland, The United States of America, Liechtenstein, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and Norway.

#2. Visa-free stay for no more than one month: The United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Laos, South Korea, Ukraine, Oman, New Zealand, Turkey, and Malaysia.

#3. Maximum visa-free stay of two weeks: Japan, Thailand, Russia, The Maldives, Peru, Macau, Canada, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Cambodia, as well as the Philippines

#4. You are also eligible for a visa-free entry into Brunei Darussalam, supposing that you hold an official, service, or diplomatic passport of any of these countries.

India
Bangladesh
Kuwait
Iran
Tajikistan
Morocco
China
Pakistan
Mongolia

Types of Brunei Visas

The following are the types of visas open to foreigners who intend to enter Negara Brunei Darussalam for different purposes.

#1. Brunei Transit Visa

This type of visa authorizes foreigners to travel through Negara Brunei Darussalam to reach their destination country. Without a doubt, you can apply for Brunei Transit Visa to enable you to board a connecting flight at Brunei International Airport.

Remember that a Bruneian Transit Visa is only suitable for three days and will expire 72 hours upon your arrival in Negara Brunei Darussalam. It is also available on arrival at the airport.

Brunei Transit Visa Requirements

To qualify for Brunei Transit Visa, you must satisfy the following requirements.

Your passport must be valid.
Your intention must be to take a connecting flight at Brunei International Airport. Thus, you must hold a valid flight ticket for the destination country.
Another requirement for Brunei Transit Visa is possessing a valid visa of the destination country. This applies only to countries where travelers need to get a visa.
Lastly, you must pay BND 5 as your application fee for Brunei Transit Visa.

#2. Brunei Tourist Visa

This type of visa creates possibilities for foreigners to enter Negara Brunei Darussalam for sightseeing purposes or to reunite with a family or friend.

#3. Brunei Work Visa

This type of visa allows the entry of foreigners with a valid work permit issued by the Bruneian Department of Immigration and National Registration. The visa is ideal for foreigners entering the country for full and part-time employment purposes.

Brunei Work Visa Requirements

Here is a list of the documents needed to support Brunei Work Visa applications.

A letter of approval from the Bruneian Department of Immigration and National Registration
Your original passport, including the duplicate copies of its pages
Four photographs, which you must affix one on your application form and use the remaining three for your medical form
A filled-out Bruneian visa application form
A recent medical report
Evidence of payment for Bruneian visa fee

#4. Brunei Student Visa

This Bruneian visa allows international students to enter Negara Brunei Darussalam to study abroad. In addition, you can apply for Brunei Student Visa to enroll in any recognized Brunei-based educational institution.

#5. Brunei Business Visa

With a valid Bruneian Business Visa, you can travel to Negara Brunei Darussalam for investment or business-related purposes.

#6. Brunei Dependent Visa

A dependent visa for Negara Brunei Darussalam allows entry of spouses and dependent children of foreigners with valid work visas.

General Requirements for Brunei Visas

No matter the type of visa you wish to obtain, you must satisfy all Brunei visa requirements without exception.

Below is a list of the documents required to apply for any visa to Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Hardcopy of a completed application form for Brunei Visa
Your original passport or travel document, including a duplicate copy of your passport’s pages. Take note that your passport must be valid for the next six months at a minimum.
Two colored photographs, recently taken against a white background (passport-sized)
A copy of your round-trip ticket to Brunei Darussalam
Evidence of accommodation in Brunei Darussalam, such as a hotel booking or the address of your close relative or friend willing to host you upon arrival.
Proof of financial backing, like an account statement obtained from your bank
A self-addressed envelope paid for in advance (applicable to persons who are submitting their supporting documents to a Bruneian diplomatic mission via mail)
A letter of support from your sponsor
Company’s proof of registration (applicable to foreigners whose purpose of travel is for business or investment)
Receipt for Brunei visa fee payment

How Much does Brunei Visa Cost?

The cost of obtaining a visa to Negara Brunei Darussalam varies depending on the visa type. Brunei Transit Visa fee is BND 5.

Moreover, Bruneian single-entry visas cost BND 20 or USD 15. To get a multiple-entry visa valid for three months, you must pay BND 30 or USD 22. In addition, Brunei’s multiple-entry visa, usable for over three months, costs BND 50 or USD 36.

Processing Time of Brunei Visa

It often takes three to five working days to obtain any visa to Negara Brunei Darussalam. However, you will most likely receive a visa to Brunei within one week.

Validity Period of Brunei Visas

The duration of Brunei visas varies depending on the type of visa. For instance, Brunei Transit Visa is valid for only 72 hours.

Moreover, Brunei short-term visas are usable for a maximum period of three months and allow entry into Negara Brunei Darussalam for business or tourism purposes.

Furthermore, Brunei long-term visas vary depending on the applicant’s purpose for applying for a visa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to get a Bruneian visa?

In most cases, it takes five working days to obtain a visa for Brunei Darussalam through any of its embassies or consulates overseas. Contrarily, there is always a possibility that your application could be rejected due to your inability to satisfy Brunei visa requirements.

Is Brunei open for tourists?

Yes, Brunei Darussalam is currently open to tourists. The country has many tourist attractions, such as the Royal Regalia Museum, Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Ulu Temburong National Park, Jerudong Park Playground, Sumbiling Eco village, Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum, Muara Beach, Damuan Recreational Park, Kota Batu Archaeological Park, and Jerudong Beach.

Can Filipinos visit Brunei without a visa?

Yes, Filipinos can visit Negara Brunei Darussalam without a visa for a maximum stay of 14 days. Supposing that you wish to stay longer than this period, it is vital to apply for a Bruneian visa.

How can I get a visit visa for Brunei from the Philippines?

You must apply through the Bruneian embassy in Manila to obtain a visa for Brunei Darussalam from the Philippines. You can contact the diplomatic mission via a phone call to +(632) 8816-2836, +(632) 8816-2838, or +(632) 8816-2837. Besides, you can send an email message to [email protected] for further inquiries.

Do Malaysians need a visa to Brunei?

Malaysians do not need a visa to enter Negara Brunei Darussalam, provided their stay is only for one month. However, citizens of the Federation of Malaysia need to obtain a visa to travel to Brunei for study, work, or to stay longer than 30 days in the country.

Is finding a job easy in Brunei?

Yes, securing employment in Negara Brunei Darussalam is easy, even though it may depend on your qualifications and work experiences. Undoubtedly, Brunei has vast employment opportunities, especially in the oil and gas sector. You can find jobs in Brunei Darussalam by contacting Bruneian companies or checking their websites for listings. Other options include job boards and employment agencies.

Conclusion

Almost all foreigners who are planning to enter Brunei must obtain a visa. The application process for the different Bruneian visas is relatively straightforward and involves taking similar steps.

You can check our other posts on Brunei and its visas to learn more about the specific types of visas and reasons to visit the country.

Thanks for reading!

Brunei Visa Requirements – Who and How to Apply

Brunei Visa-free Countries