Every way into Brunei.

Nationals of countries in Brunei's Category C may obtain a visit visa on arrival at immigration control posts. A single-entry visa costs BND 20 and a multiple-entry visa costs BND 30, each valid for a stay of up to 30 days. Visa on arrival is available to a limited set of nationalities, including Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia (multiple-entry is offered to a subset such as Australia, Bahrain and Qatar). Applicants complete a visa form (Form 19) and pay the fee in local currency on entry. The visa is for visit purposes only and does not permit work, study or residence.

Government fee

BND 20

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

Nationals of countries that are neither visa-exempt nor eligible for visa on arrival (Brunei's Category A and Category B) must obtain a social visit visa in advance from the nearest Bruneian diplomatic mission. The visa is issued for social visits and tourism, with a typical permitted stay of around 30 days. The fee is BND 20 (or local-currency equivalent) and the standard processing time is three working days. Applicants must provide a passport valid at least six months, photographs, confirmed return travel and accommodation details. The visa does not authorise work, study or residence.

Government fee

BND 20

Processing time

3 days

Max stay

30 days

Nationals of countries placed in Brunei's Category D may enter for social or tourism visits without a visa. The permitted length of stay depends on nationality: 90 days for citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, EU member states and a small group of others; 30 days for nationals such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Oman, the UAE, Turkey, Laos and Ukraine; and 14 days for nationals including China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Russia and the Maldives. The exemption is for visit and tourism purposes only and does not authorise work, study or residence. Travellers must hold a passport valid at least six months and complete the mandatory E-Arrival Card before arrival.

Max stay

90 days

Brunei has introduced an online visa application (eVISA) facility allowing eligible foreign nationals who require a visa in advance to apply electronically rather than attending a diplomatic mission in person, for visit purposes. The eVISA covers the same social visit purpose as the consular visit visa, with a fee around BND 20 and processing typically within a few working days. Applicants submit passport details, travel information and accommodation evidence online. Note that the eVISA is distinct from the mandatory E-Arrival Card, which all travellers must complete separately before arrival and which carries no fee. The eVISA does not authorise work, study or residence.

Government fee

BND 20

Processing time

3 days

Max stay

30 days

Passengers travelling onward to a third country may obtain a transit visa on arrival at Brunei International Airport for a maximum stay of 72 hours. The fee is BND 5, payable in local currency. Travellers must hold a valid passport, a confirmed onward air ticket and, where applicable, a valid visa for the onward third country. Extension of the transit visa is not permitted, and the visa is issued only at the airport for genuine transit purposes.

Government fee

BND 5

Max stay

3 days

The APEC Business Travel Card (Kad Usahawan Perjalanan APEC / KUPA) facilitates streamlined business travel between participating APEC economies for eligible business people. In Brunei the card is issued through the Immigration Department: the first application costs BND 100 and renewal costs BND 50, with the card valid for five years. The card allows pre-cleared short business visits to participating economies without separate visas and faster immigration processing, but it is not a work authorisation. Eligibility is limited to bona fide business people who meet APEC and Brunei criteria.

Government fee

BND 100

Validity

1,825 days

The Business Visit Visa is issued to foreign businesspeople entering Brunei Darussalam for business-related purposes such as attending meetings with board members, attending an expo or exhibition, acting as an investor or exploring business opportunities. The applicant must be sponsored by a company or government agency registered in Brunei. Processing is generally three working days at headquarters or Kuala Belait and five working days at Temburong; after approval the applicant collects the visa at a Bruneian diplomatic mission. The visa permits short business activity but does not authorise local employment, which requires a Work Pass. Published fees were not stated on the official pages reviewed.

Processing time

3 days

The Professional Visit Visa and Pass is issued to foreigners entering Brunei Darussalam for an official professional visit where their specialist skills are required, for example short-term technical, consultancy or expert assignments that fall short of formal local employment. The applicant must be sponsored by a registered company or government agency in Brunei, and processing typically takes three working days at headquarters. The visa allows the professional engagement specified but is distinct from a Work Pass, which is required for ordinary employment. Published fees were not stated on the official pages reviewed.

Processing time

3 days

The Student Pass permits a foreign national to enter and remain in Brunei Darussalam to study at a recognised educational institution, for the period and subject to the conditions stated in the pass. Applications are sponsored by the admitting institution, and the pass is tied to enrolment. Holders must hold a passport valid at least six months and provide an admission or enrolment letter. The pass authorises study but not employment. Published fees and standard validity were not stated on the official pages reviewed; validity generally follows the duration of the course.

Foreign nationals working in Brunei Darussalam must hold both a valid visa and a Work Pass, administered by the Foreign Work Pass Division of the Immigration Department. The process is employer-driven: the employer must first obtain a Foreign Worker Licence (Lesen Pekerja Asing / LPA, Form BUR 500) and a Foreign Worker Recruitment Licence from the Department of Labour, which set the employer's quota for foreign workers, before applying for the worker's visa and Work Pass. The application requires a letter from the employer or guarantor, the worker's passport valid at least six months, Form 23 and photographs. Singaporean and Malaysian citizens follow slightly different documentary requirements. Published fees and standard validity were not stated on the official pages reviewed; the pass is tied to the specific employer.

The Dependent Pass allows the spouse and children of a foreign worker holding a valid Employment Pass in Brunei to reside in the country for the duration of the principal worker's pass. It is sponsored by the principal pass holder, who must meet eligibility and income conditions set by the employer and Immigration. The Dependent Pass permits residence but does not by itself authorise the holder to work. Published fees were not stated on the official pages reviewed; the validity is tied to the principal Employment Pass.

The Long Term Pass allows certain foreign nationals to reside in Brunei Darussalam for extended periods without yet qualifying for permanent residence. It is granted in three categories: a Social Visit (Long Term) Pass for foreigners with family ties to Brunei citizens or Permanent Residents; a Business Visit (Long Term) Pass for company owners and foreign investors who meet set criteria and contribute to the country's socio-economic development; and a Professional Visit (Long Term) Pass for foreign experts whose skills are beneficial and needed for Brunei's development. Each category has its own eligibility assessment by the Immigration Department. Published fees, validity and detailed documentary requirements were not stated on the official page reviewed; applicants are directed to the Long Term Pass Secretariat.

The Entry Permit (Permit Masuk) confers permanent resident status in Brunei Darussalam and is administered by the Entry Permit Division of the Immigration Department. It is highly restricted and granted only to applicants who meet the eligibility categories published by the Department; approval is at the discretion of the authorities and there is no published points or investment route. On approval, the Entry Permit card costs BND 50 for nationals of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, stateless persons and non-Commonwealth countries, and BND 5 for British, Singaporean, Malaysian, Indian and other Commonwealth nationals. An annual resident permit/visa fee then applies (around BND 3 for most nationalities, BND 10 for Malaysia Certificate of Identity holders, free for Brunei CI holders). Permanent residents may live in Brunei indefinitely subject to the permit conditions.

Government fee

BND 50