Brunei

Passport validity requirements 

To enter Brunei, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must not be damaged or have any pages missing. If your passport does not meet these conditions, you may be refused entry and detained.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. 

 You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

If you’re a dual national, you should use the same passport to enter and exit Brunei. The passport you use for entry will determine your nationality in Brunei.

British-Brunei dual nationals

Brunei does not recognise the dual nationality of Bruneians. The immigration authorities can refuse your entry if you hold a Bruneian passport and a passport of a different nationality.

If you enter on a Brunei passport, you cannot access British consular assistance, as you will be treated as a Bruneian national.

Visa requirements

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

To stay longer or if you’re travelling for work, study, business travel or other reasons, you must meet the Brunei government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Brunei High Commission in the UK.  

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure you get your passport stamped when you enter Brunei.

Overstaying your visa

Do not overstay your visa or violate the terms of entry. Penalties include detention and caning. 

Declaration form 

You must submit an e-arrival declaration form to enter Brunei. Do this before you travel as it may be requested at check-in. You do not need to complete the arrival form if you are not passing through immigration. 

You must also complete the Health Declaration Form before or upon arrival. More information can be found at the Ministry of Health website.

Land and sea travel 

Check border post opening hours before you travel. They are not open 24 hours. Make sure your exit and entry stamps are correct before leaving the border post.

Vaccine requirements  

To enter Brunei, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccine, in some circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Brunei guide. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods and the amount of alcohol you can take into and out of Brunei. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

You can complete a declaration through the Customs.BN app or on arrival at the airport. Download the app for Android or iOS.

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods and the amount of alcohol you can take into and out of Brunei. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

You can complete a declaration through the Customs.BN app or on arrival at the airport. Download the app for Android or iOS.

Emergency services in Brunei 

Ambulance: 991  

Fire: 995  

Police: 993 

Search and rescue: 998 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers in Brunei 
• dealing with a death in Brunei 
• being arrested or imprisoned in Brunei 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies  

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Brunei on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: 

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Islam is the official religion in Brunei. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure that your actions do not cause offence, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK but is in Brunei.

Places of business and offices, including shops and restaurants, shut between midday and 2pm every Friday for prayers.

Friday is a non-working day for government offices and local schools. Government offices and state schools open on Saturdays instead.

Ramadan 

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, it is against the law to be seen eating or drinking in public during fasting hours. You must also not smoke in public. 

You should dress modestly. For example, do not wear shorts in government and public buildings such as health centres. 

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts. 

Criticism of the Bruneian Royal Family 

His Majesty The Sultan and other members of the Bruneian Royal Family are highly revered and public criticism of them causes great offence and may result in legal action.

Relationships outside marriage 

Adultery and closeness in private between an unmarried man and woman is illegal if one person is a Muslim. In general, public displays of affection may cause offence.

Pornographic material 

Possession of pornographic material is illegal. 

Firearms, ammunition and explosives 

Brunei has very strict laws against the possession of firearms, blank or live ammunition and explosives, including fireworks and firecrackers. Do not carry these items or replicas into Brunei. 

LGBT+ travellers 

Brunei criminalises same-sex sexual activity. Sentences include a maximum penalty of death by stoning, whipping, imprisonment and fines. However there is currently a moratorium on the death penalty and there is limited evidence of same-sex activity laws being implemented in recent years. The gender expression of trans people is also criminalised and this law is occasionally enforced with fines.

Read advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Illegal drugs penalties

There are severe penalties for drug offences in Brunei including, in some cases, the death penalty. Other crimes may be punished by caning and lengthy prison sentences. 

Alcohol laws and bans 

The sale of alcohol and tobacco in Brunei is illegal. Non-Muslims aged 17 and over may import a limited amount of alcohol. This must be declared to the customs authorities on arrival and drunk in private. 

Smoking and e-cigarette bans 

Smoking is illegal in certain public places, including shopping and eating areas, bus stops and stations, car parks and in close proximity to any public buildings.