Brunei Travel Information

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Baggage is cleared at the airport of Brunei Darussalam.

Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of Brunei Darussalam, if the passengers do not leave the transit area and the onward flight is within 24 hours.

Entry to Brunei

Entry to Brunei is severely restricted. Anyone seeking to enter or exit Brunei must apply for a permit from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Brunei has announced that travellers to Brunei will need to provide a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test on arrival, obtained within 72 hours of travel. You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.

Brunei continues to enforce an exit travel ban, including for permanent residents, and expatriate workers (green identity card holders), and their dependants. Exceptions will be considered by the Prime Minister’s Office on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must apply online, giving 3 working days’ notice of the intention to travel. Full details are available on the Prime Minister’s Office website.

From 1 October 2020, all travellers entering or leaving Brunei via a land border will need to pay $3 BND per person on exit and $3 BND on return or entry.

Quarantine requirements

If the government of Brunei permits you entry, you will need to go into quarantine on arrival at a government designated facility (usually a local hotel). Travellers are responsible for booking directly with hoteliers and must secure your accommodation before arrival. Currently quarantine is between 2 and 14 days. Travellers will be informed of the duration of quarantine on arrival and will need to cover the cost of their stay in their designated quarantine facility.

Testing/screening on arrival

Brunei has announced that travellers to Brunei will need to provide a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test on arrival, obtained within 72 hours of travel.

All foreigners must pay $350 BND for a COVID-19 test before they depart on their journey to Brunei. Travellers should carry proof of payment with them when checking in for their flight to Brunei.

You should ensure that you have the means to pay for your hotel in Brunei for the duration of your quarantine period.

Immigration Control Posts at Brunei’s land borders are operating shortened hours from 6am and last call at 4pm. There are health and temperature screening measures at borders. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities.

Data collection

On arrival in Brunei, you will be encouraged to download the BruHealth app. Failure to use the app may result in you not being able to access a number of day-to-day facilities.

Regular entry requirements

Visas

British Citizen passport holders may enter Brunei for up to 90 days without a visa. If you have another type of British nationality, check with Brunei immigration authorities about visa requirements.

Make sure the entry stamp in your passport indicates the validity of your stay. There are strict penalties for overstaying.

If you’re staying longer than 90 days and/or visiting for non-tourist purposes, you will need to get a visa from the nearest Brunei diplomatic mission before you travel.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Brunei.

Dual nationality

Brunei does not recognise dual nationality. You can be refused entry if you’re found to be holding two passports of different nationality. If you’re a dual national, it’s advisable to enter Brunei on the passport on which you exited your last country of departure. While in Brunei your nationality will be deemed to be that shown on the passport which you used to enter the country. This may affect the consular assistance that you receive in Brunei.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency travel documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Brunei. They should have at least 6 months validity. You’ll have to obtain an exit and entry visa from Brunei Immigration before you travel.

Crime

Crime levels are low, but there are occasional incidents of petty crime against tourists as well as house burglaries. Take particular care of your passport, avoid carrying valuables with you and do not leave possessions in unattended vehicles, even if out of sight in a locked boot.

Road travel

Drivers of vehicles not registered in Brunei can only buy motor fuel at 14 designated filling stations throughout the country, to a maximum of 250 litres. Filling a foreign car is more expensive as the filling station will only sell the premium “V-Power” fuel to a foreign car.

You can drive in Brunei with a valid UK driving licence for up to 3 months.

Driving standards differ from the UK. Traffic will not always stop at red lights or pedestrian crossings. Speeding and non use of seatbelts is common. Road conditions are generally good but you should take extra care while driving through heavy rain as road surfaces are uneven.

If you’re involved in a road accident as a driver, you should not leave the scene or move the vehicle until the police have attended.

Trekking

Police advise individuals against hiking alone in the forest, including at well-known recreation areas. It’s easy to get lost when visiting the rainforest. Use recognised and well-known guides, and stay on the footpaths.

Political situation

Demonstrations or large public gatherings are unlikely in Brunei. Keep yourself informed through the local media.