Brunei

U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan

Simpang 336-52-16-9
Jalan Duta
Bandar Seri Begawan BC4115, Brunei Darussalam
Telephone: +(673) 238-7500
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(673) 873-0691
Email: ConsularBrunei@state.gov

U.S. passport holders must have at least six months’ validity remaining on their passport before entering Brunei for business or pleasure, and are required to obtain a visa prior to arrival in Brunei for visits of 90 days or longer.  Travelers who apply for visas are also required to have at least six blank passport pages.  For further information about entry or exit requirements, travelers may consult the Consular Section of the Embassy of Brunei, 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 237-1838, or visit the Embassy of Brunei website for the most current visa information.

Additionally:

• Immigration offenses, including overstay of your visa, are punishable by jail sentence, fines, and caning.
• Individuals associated with violators, such as contractors or employers, are subject to the same penalties if the violator is found guilty.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions:

• Brunei has imposed HIV/AIDS travel restrictions as part of a ban on communicable diseases.  The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Brunei Darussalam requires all travelers entering Brunei to fill out a Health Declaration Card and submit it to the Officer-In-Charge (MOH) upon disembarkation.
• Please verify this information with the Embassy of Brunei before you travel.

You may be subjected to a medical examination upon arrival in Brunei Darussalam.  Travelers may be quarantined if infected or suspected to be infected with an infectious disease or if travelers have had contact with such a person.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

U.S. citizens in Brunei should be vigilant regarding their personal security, maintain a low profile, vary times and routes during their daily routines, and report any suspicious activity to the local police and to the U.S. Embassy.

Noting several past terrorist bombings in Indonesia, the Department of State continues to be concerned that terrorist groups, such as those claiming affiliation with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), have the capability to carry out terrorist attacks throughout the region.

Crime: Most crimes that occur in Brunei are non-violent crimes of opportunity, including residential burglaries and vehicle break-ins.

• While in Brunei, you can generally avoid becoming a victim of a crime of opportunity by practicing good security awareness.  For example, secure your valuables (remove them from plain view), avoid secluded locations, properly secure your residence and vehicle, and do not travel alone late at night. 
• Crime in Brunei peaks in July and December, due to the holidays and schools being out of session. 

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime:

• U.S. citizen victims of crime should report crimes to the local police at 993 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (673) 238-7500 Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or (673) 873-0691 (24 hours). 
• Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules on best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced.  Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country.  In remote areas, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to respond, stabilize a patient, and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws.  If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Brunei’s civil penal code and Sharia Penal Code (commonly known as “the sharia law”) operate in parallel, and both include provisions for corporal and capital punishment. 

• Criminal penalties for some offenses are harsher than in the United States, including for some acts that are not crimes in the United States. Under the Sharia Penal Code judicial procedures and punishments include, for certain offenses and under certain evidentiary circumstances, amputation of hands or feet and death by stoning. The Sharia Penal Code applies regardless of an individual’s religion or nationality, although some sections of the law have specific applicability to Muslims.
• Brunei adheres to conservative Islamic social values, and U.S. citizens are advised to learn and respect local customs and traditions.
• Any public criticism of the Sultan or other members of the Royal Family, Sharia Penal Code, or Islam is illegal and punishable under Bruneian law.
• Under Brunei’s Sharia Penal Code, it is also an offense to consume any food, drink, or tobacco in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan.
• Gambling is illegal in Brunei.
• Prostitution and pornography are illegal and can result in harsh punishments.
• Non-Muslims may be arrested for khalwat (close proximity between the sexes) under the Sharia Penal Code provided that the other accused party is Muslim.  Khalwat may include activities from holding hands or public displays of affection to sexual activity. Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, are subject to khalwat and zina (fornication or adultery).
• Extramarital sexual relations between a Muslim and non-Muslim are considered a crime in Brunei and may lead to severe punishment.
• You should consult a guidebook or other travel information on Brunei for more information about respecting local cultural norms.
• Alcohol cannot be purchased legally in Brunei.  However, two liters of spirits/wine and 12 cans of beer (one can =330ml) may be imported by non-Muslim adults for personal consumption in private.
• Importation of firearms and ammunition is prohibited.  The illegal possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of firearms, ammunition, and/or explosives may carry severe penalties, including the death penalty.
• Illegal possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of drugs may carry severe penalties, including the possibility of the death penalty.
• Both medical and recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Brunei.  Drug use/possession may carry severe penalties.
• Visit the Brunei Royal Customs and Excise Department’s website for further information about Brunei’s Customs laws.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.  For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.  See our webpage on arrests and detentions for further information.

• The Royal Brunei Police Force is generally professional and courteous.  Most officers speak English but some, especially from the reserve units, have limited-to-no English-speaking capability.
• You should carry a copy of your passport with you as you will need to produce proof of your identity should an incident occur.

Dual Nationality: Brunei does not recognize or permit dual nationality. Brunei nationals are expected to enter and exit the country on their Brunei passports.  Should Brunei authorities learn that a person is a dual national, they may require immediate renunciation of the citizenship of either the other nation or Brunei.

Customs Regulations: Brunei customs authorities enforce strict import/export regulations.  Contact the Embassy of Brunei in Washington, DC, for specific information regarding customs requirements. 

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad  

LGBTQI+ Travelers: Same-sex acts are criminalized in Brunei under Civil Law and also under the Sharia Penal Code.

• Possible penalties for same-sex acts under the Sharia Penal Code include fines, imprisonment, caning, and death by stoning.
• Under the civil penal code, possible punishments include a fine and up to 10 years in prison.
• Further information may be available from the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Washington, DC or by contacting an attorney in Brunei.

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While in Brunei, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from in the United States.

• Wheelchair ramps may not be available on all sidewalks, which often have very deep and wide gutters that may not be covered.
• Buildings may not always have wheelchair-accessible doorways or elevators.
• Crosswalks, elevators, and buildings do not generally have signage or warnings for the visually or hearing impaired.
• There is no specific law governing accessibility.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

There is adequate care for basic medical conditions in Brunei; however, for certain elective surgery or complicated care the best medical care in the region is obtained in Singapore or Bangkok.

For emergency services in Brunei:

• Ambulance: Dial 991.
• Police: Dial 993
• Fire & Rescue: Dial 995

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.  Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

• Brunei has a number of public hospitals and clinics.
• Further information about health care facilities in Brunei can be found on the U.S. Embassy website.
• Medication and prescriptions are readily available but may not be the same brands as those found in the United States.

Medical Insurance: Most private care providers in Brunei accept major credit cards or cash payments, and some may accept local bank transfers.  Public care providers only accept cash payments.  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.  Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Medication/Prescriptions:

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Embassy of Brunei in Washington, DC, to ensure the medication is legal in Brunei. 

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

Marijuana for medical use, even with a prescription, is not legal in Brunei.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Road Conditions and Safety: Brunei has an extensive network of roads comparable to those in most western countries, and they are well maintained.

• Traffic moves on the left side of the road.
• Holders of a foreign driver’s license are permitted to drive in Brunei Darussalam for 90 days only.
• For longer stays, a foreign driver’s license must be endorsed to a Brunei driver’s license, available at any Land Transport Department office.
• Drivers must always obey traffic rules and should take extra caution when approaching traffic signals.
• The Royal Brunei Police Force routinely sets up checkpoints and traffic stops, particularly at night, normally for license and registration check or driving while intoxicated and contraband.
• If you are stopped by police, you will need to show your identification card, vehicle registration, and insurance card.

Traffic Laws:  

View the Brunei Land Transport Department office website for information.

Public Transportation:

• There are six bus routes servicing the Bandar Seri Begawan area. Normal operating hours are from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily.  Bus fares start from B$1.00. Buses heading to other towns in Brunei such as Tutong, Kuala Belait, and Seria depart from the bus stops located at Jalan Kianggeh (opposite the Chinese temple) and Jalan McArthur (along waterfront) in Bandar Seri Begawan.
• Taxis can be found at the airport, hotels, shopping centers, and the central bus station in Bandar Seri Begawan and are metered.  It is recommended that visitors use licensed, metered taxis or car services provided by hotels in Brunei.  Car services through ridesharing apps have gained popularity both for convenience and fare transparency.
• See our Road Safety page for more information. 
• Visit the website of Brunei Land Transport Department and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Brunei, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Brunei’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Brunei should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts.  Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website.