Brunei visas
Whether you need a visa to enter Brunei Darussalam depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Brunei sorts nationalities into categories that are visa-exempt, eligible for a visa on arrival, or required to obtain a visa in advance from a Brunei mission abroad, while longer stays for work, study, family or residence are handled through passes and permits. Immigration matters are administered by the Immigration and National Registration Department under the Prime Minister's Office, with entry visas also processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Brunei's overseas missions.
Bruneian visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Brunei — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.4 visas
- Work visasComing to Brunei to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.2 visas
- Study visasStudying in Brunei — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Brunei.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Brunei as a highly skilled individual.2 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Brunei long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
Bruneian visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa to visit Brunei?
All foreign travellers entering Brunei Darussalam must possess a valid visa, passport or other travel document, return or onward tickets, and adequate finances for their stay. Visa requirements and procedures may differ by nationality. Visa validity is limited to a maximum of three months.
Eligibility to apply for a Brunei visa
The criteria to apply for a Brunei visa is straight forward. As with most visas, you must ensure you give yourself enough time for the visa application to go through before you travel. Below is a list of criteria needed in order to apply for a Brunei visa.
- The visa application for Brunei.
- Your passport and a copy of your passport, with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Two current passport-sized photographs.
- A duplicate copy of your return ticket.
- Evidence of accomodation in Brunei.
- Evidence that you can support yourself in Brunei.
Processing time for Brunei visas
The majority of Brunei visas are processed within three business days. The processing time for sponsored visa applications can take up to five days. If you are applying by mail, you should also consider the time it takes to transport and receive your paperwork.
Appointment waiting times
Normal waiting periods for an appointment are approximately two to three weeks on average. Depending on the urgency of your journey and your priority rating, it may take longer. It is recommended that all visa requirements are met at least six weeks prior to departure.
Who can visit Brunei without a visa?
The Brunei visa policy allows certain individuals of a certain group of nationalities to enter the country without a visa. The European Union, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States require a passport to enter Brunei for up to 90 days.
What to do if your Brunei visa is denied?
You have the right to contest this verdict. The embassy of the Member State that opted to deny the visa distributes a standard form to notify the applicant of the decision to deny a Schengen visa and the reasons for the denial.
Brunei — key facts
- Visa authority
- Immigration and National Registration Department (Jabatan Imigresen dan Pendaftaran Kebangsaan), Prime Minister's Office
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Brunei dollar (BND)
- Time zone
- Brunei Darussalam Time (BNT, UTC+8)
Bruneian visas — people also ask
The embassy or consulate requires time to process and verify the submitted documents before applying a visa stamp to the applicant's passport. The visa process for Brunei Darussalam takes around seven business days.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.