Arrival in Brunei

Entry requirements depend on nationality, purpose and length of stay. Visa categories A and B normally require an application through a Brunei mission, category C may allow a visa on arrival in eligible cases, and category D covers visa-exempt arrangements; the current rule must be checked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant Brunei mission. A passport should meet the validity required for the specific nationality and purpose. The work-pass process requires at least six months of remaining passport validity, and visitors should verify the exact passport rule before departure. Keep accommodation details, flight or vehicle information and sponsor, employer or educational-institution documents available. All foreign nationals entering or leaving Brunei through an air, land or sea immigration post must complete e-Arrival registration before travel. Transit passengers who do not clear immigration are exempt. Registration is free through the official e-Arrival portal, requires passport, Brunei residence and flight or vehicle information, and must be completed separately for each traveler. Save the reference number; if registration was forgotten, it can be completed at the control post. Air arrivals normally use Brunei International Airport in Berakas. Land entry points include Kuala Lurah, Sungai Tujoh, Labu and Ujong Jalan, while sea entry points include Serasa Ferry Terminal and Vehicle Control, Muara Deep Water Port and Kuala Belait Port. Putat and Anduki are additional immigration posts. Travelers should show their passport, the required visa and e-Arrival reference. A visa does not guarantee admission: officers may ask about the purpose and length of stay, accommodation and onward travel. Traveling overland to Temburong through Malaysia involves transit through another country and two jurisdictions, so the required documents and border procedures need separate checking. The Royal Customs and Excise Department handles customs controls. Declare dutiable, restricted, prohibited and controlled goods before leaving the control area. A non-Muslim traveler aged 17 or over may bring two one-litre bottles of liquor or up to twelve 330-millilitre beer cans under the stated personal-use and storage conditions; the next import must be at least 48 hours later. Tobacco has no personal concession and is charged at BND 0.50 per stick. Food is generally limited to three pieces per item, less than five kilograms in total and below BND 100; cosmetics have a BND 200 threshold. Plant and plant products may be limited to six kilograms per category. Medicines, meat, alcohol, vapes, plants and similar goods may require permits or face restrictions. A false declaration is an offence. For the first 24 to 72 hours, arrange a verified pickup, taxi, Dart ride or public bus and keep the temporary address accessible. Brunei public buses in Brunei-Muara and Belait and on inter-district services generally charge BND 1 per trip, with listed operations around 06:00 to 18:00; schedules can change. Taxis use meters, while booking conditions and surcharges require a current check. Dart Drivers provide e-hailing, and water taxis or boats connect to Temburong from the Brunei River. Keep cash or another payment fallback, a SIM or data connection, passport, immigration pass, entry record and sponsor or employer contacts available offline. Emergency numbers are Ambulance 991, Police 993, Fire and Rescue 995 and Search and Rescue 998. Talian Darussalam 123 provides 24-hour non-emergency assistance, and health advice may be available through 148. Brunei does not have a universal resident-registration or welcome-centre process for every arrival based on the official service review. After entry, formal follow-up depends on status and sponsor: a Jabatan Imigresen dan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan branch, employer, guarantor, school or other institution may handle the relevant steps. Keep address and contact details current according to pass or institutional requirements. Foreign workers need a Work Visa before travel. The employer or agency submits the application through Jabatan Imigresen dan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan, and a Foreign Worker License, Job Order or BUR500 process may also apply. After arrival, the Ministry of Health medical examination typically takes one to two weeks, followed by the Work Pass application; approval typically takes three to five weeks. Work remains limited to the valid authorization, employer and pass conditions. Employment Pass, Dependant Pass and Student Pass follow different procedures. A Student Pass may require Ministry of Education authorization and parent or guarantor documents. A Dependant Pass is linked to an Employment Pass holder, while Long Term Pass categories include Social Visit, Business Visit and Professional Visit arrangements and are mainly relevant to family members, investors, company owners and required foreign professionals. The 2025 medical-insurance requirements depend on immigration status. A private-sector Employment Pass requires at least BND 100,000 coverage, a spouse or non-schooling child on a Dependant Pass at least BND 10,000, and a Student Pass or Student Dependant Pass at least BND 5,000, with coverage maintained throughout the pass. Visa-exempt visitors and transit-pass holders staying up to 72 hours are noted as exempt from this requirement, subject to current eligibility and exceptions. The e-Arrival registration costs BND 0. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs visit-visa application may take one to three working days; listed fees are BND 20 for single entry, BND 30 for multiple entry under three months and BND 50 for multiple entry over three months. Transport, accommodation, SIM cards, deposits, insurance, medical examinations and immigration passes add status- and provider-dependent costs. Check current rules, fees, opening hours and transport operations immediately before departure.