Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Brunei Darussalam grants visa-free entry for short tourist stays to many nationalities, though the permitted length varies by passport. Others need a visa arranged in advance. Requirements depend on your nationality and can change, so check the official Brunei and your own government sources before you travel.
- Entry
- Visa-free for many
- Length
- Varies by nationality
- Check
- Official sources
- Visa-free entry and its duration depend on your nationality
- Confirm current requirements with official sources before travel
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Travellers to Brunei are generally expected to hold a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival, with blank pages for entry stamps. Some airlines and immigration officers apply this strictly. Check that your passport meets the requirement well before departure.
- Validity
- 6 months beyond arrival
- Pages
- Blank pages needed
- Check
- Before departure
- Six months passport validity is a common requirement
- Keep at least one or two blank pages for stamps
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
On arrival you may be asked to show a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, in addition to a completed arrival card if required. Having these ready helps immigration and speeds up entry.
- Ticket
- Return/onward
- Stay
- Accommodation proof
- Funds
- Sufficient means
- Carry proof of accommodation and onward travel
- Complete any arrival card as instructed
Pre-arrival procedure — Brunei E-Arrival Card: all foreign visitors must complete the free online E-Arrival Card (Immigration and National Registration Department) and obtain approval before arriving by air, land or sea; it replaces the old paper Form 19 and is separate from any visa. Transit passengers are exempt. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official Brunei E-Arrival Card (imigresen.gov.bn)- Surname
- SMITH
- Given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. a representative country)
- Passport number
- A1234567
- Arrival date
- 2026-04-10
- Entry city
- Bandar Seri Begawan
Steps
- 1 On imigresen.gov.bn check whether your nationality needs E-Arrival Card or is visa-free/exempt
- 2 Complete the application and upload the passport page/photo as required
- 3 Pay the official fee and save the approved E-Arrival Card (print or keep on your phone)
- 4 Present it at check-in and immigration together with your passport
Eligibility, fees, processing time and validity can change; for accurate details we recommend checking with the official government portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Brunei requires travellers carrying currency or bearer instruments above a set threshold to make a declaration to customs on entry and exit. The declaration itself is free, but failing to declare can lead to penalties. Check the current threshold before you travel and keep any receipts.
- Rule
- Declare above threshold
- When
- Entry and exit
- Note
- Declaration is free
- Undeclared cash above the limit may be penalised
- Confirm the current threshold with official sources
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Brunei is a Muslim country and alcohol is not sold in shops. Non-Muslim adults may bring in a limited personal quantity of alcohol, which must be declared to customs on arrival. Duty-free allowances also apply to a limited amount of tobacco. Declare items honestly and check the current allowances before travel.
- Alcohol
- Non-Muslim adults, declare
- Sold
- No shop sales
- Tobacco
- Limited allowance
- Non-Muslim adults declare a limited personal alcohol quantity
- Check current duty-free allowances before travel
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Brunei has very strict drug laws, and serious offences can carry severe penalties. Pork products, obscene or pornographic material, and certain publications are prohibited or tightly controlled. Weapons and imitation firearms are also restricted. Do not carry any prohibited items and check the rules carefully before travel.
- Drugs
- Very strict laws
- Prohibited
- Pork, obscene material
- Weapons
- Restricted
- Drug offences can carry severe penalties
- Pork products and obscene material are prohibited or controlled
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring prescription medicines in their original packaging with a doctor’s letter or prescription describing what they are and why you need them. Some medicines that are common elsewhere may be controlled or restricted in Brunei, so check before travel and carry only what you need for your trip.
- Packaging
- Keep original
- Letter
- Prescription/doctor note
- Check
- Controlled items
- Some common medicines may be controlled in Brunei
- Carry only the amount needed for your trip
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
No specific vaccinations are usually required to enter Brunei for most travellers, but a yellow fever certificate may be required if you are arriving from a country where the disease is present. Check routine and recommended travel vaccinations with a travel clinic well before departure.
- Required
- Usually none
- Yellow fever
- If from risk area
- Advice
- See travel clinic
- Yellow fever certificate may be needed if arriving from a risk country
- Check routine and recommended vaccines before travel
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Most visitors arrive at Brunei International Airport (BWN) near Bandar Seri Begawan. At immigration, have your passport, arrival card if required, and supporting documents ready. Officers may ask about the purpose and length of your stay. Keep the entry stamp or pass safe, as you may need it on departure.
- Airport
- BWN
- Have ready
- Passport, arrival card
- Keep
- Entry stamp/pass
- Officers may ask the purpose and length of your stay
- Keep your entry stamp or pass for departure
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Brunei is a conservative Muslim country, so dress modestly and be respectful, especially near mosques and during prayer times and Ramadan. Traffic drives on the left, and power is 240V with UK-style Type G plugs. The dial code is +673. Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital. A little cultural awareness goes a long way.
- Dress
- Modest, respectful
- Driving
- Left side
- Power
- 240V, Type G
- Dress modestly, especially near mosques and during Ramadan
- Dial code +673; capital Bandar Seri Begawan