Exploring Entry Requirements: Can Foreigners Enter Brunei?

As of August 1, 2022, only fully vaccinated foreigners are allowed to enter Brunei. The government of Brunei has stated that the updated regulations for cross-border activities will take effect once the country reopens its borders. Foreigners entering the country are encouraged to get a booster dose to maintain peace and security. To enter Brunei, travellers must have full vaccination, travel medical insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment, and a negative Covid-19 (RT-PCR) swab test result within 72 hours before departure. They must also undergo a second Covid-19 test and mandatory self-isolation upon arrival.

Foreigners must be fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID-19 test

As of August 1, 2022, the government of Brunei has stated that only foreigners with at least two doses of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to enter or transit the country. This rule also applies to Malaysians.

The onus is on the individual to ensure they are fully vaccinated before travelling to Brunei. It is also recommended that foreign nationals get a booster dose to maintain the peace, security and well-being of all parties.

In addition to being fully vaccinated, foreigners must obtain a negative COVID-19 (RT-PCR) swab test result before travelling to Brunei. The test must be taken within 72 hours of departure to the country. A second COVID-19 test will be administered upon arrival, and individuals must undergo mandatory self-isolation for a period of 2 to 14 days, depending on the risk assessment of the Ministry of Health.

The cost of the COVID-19 swab test upon arrival in Brunei must be paid for in advance by the guarantor, who can be either a government agency, a private company or an individual. The guarantor must also book and pay for the selected hotel accommodation for the self-isolation period.

A guarantor is required to submit an application for a foreigner to enter Brunei

To enter Brunei, all foreigners must be guaranteed or sponsored. The guarantor can be a government agency, a private company, or an individual. The guarantor is required to submit an application to obtain an Entry Travel Pass for the foreigner. Only the guarantor can make the application for the foreigner. The guarantor must include supporting documents when submitting the application. The application will be considered based on the category and requirements of travel to Brunei, as well as the risk assessment of the country from which the foreigner is travelling.

If the application is granted permission, the guarantor must make an advance payment for the COVID-19 RT-PCR swab test, which will be conducted on the foreigner upon arrival in Brunei. The guarantor is also responsible for booking hotel accommodation for the foreigner to undergo mandatory self-isolation for a period of 2 to 14 days, depending on the health ministry's risk assessment. The guarantor must confirm the invoices for payment of hotel accommodation and upload them to the Prime Minister's Office portal.

Additionally, the guarantor must ensure that the foreigner has resided in the country of departure for 14 days and is in good health before entering Brunei. It is important to note that the conditions and procedures for the entry of foreigners into Brunei may change, so it is recommended to check the Prime Minister's Office portal for the most up-to-date information.

For British citizens, a visa is not required for visits of up to 90 days. However, for visits longer than 90 days or for work, study, or other purposes, different entry requirements and visas may apply. All travellers to Brunei must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and may be required to submit specific health and vaccination documentation.

A guarantor must book hotel accommodation for mandatory self-isolation

As of 15 September 2020, foreigners who need to enter Brunei during the Level 1 De-escalation Plan are subject to certain conditions and must be guaranteed or sponsored by a guarantor before entering the country. Guarantors can be either from government agencies, private companies, or certain individuals.

The guarantor is responsible for submitting an application to obtain an Entry Travel Pass for the foreigner via the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) portal. Only the guarantor can make this application and they must include supporting documents. The application will be considered based on the category and requirements of travel to Brunei, as well as the risk assessment of the country from which the foreigner is travelling.

If the application is granted, the guarantor must make an advance payment for the foreigner's COVID-19 (RT-PCR) swab test, which must be done after arriving in Brunei. The foreigner must obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before travelling to Brunei and will be required to undergo a second test upon arrival, followed by mandatory self-isolation for 2 to 14 days, depending on the Ministry of Health's risk assessment.

The guarantor must book the hotel accommodation for the foreigner's mandatory self-isolation and confirm the invoices for payment of the hotel accommodation. This confirmed booking must be uploaded to the PMO's portal as part of the application process.

Additionally, the guarantor is responsible for ensuring that the foreigner has resided in the country of departure for 14 days and is in good health before entering Brunei.

Please note that as of April 1, 2022, travellers to Brunei, including those who have recovered from Covid-19 within 90 days, are only required to undergo an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) upon arrival and are exempt from mandatory self-isolation.

Foreigners must be sponsored or guaranteed before entering Brunei

In addition to having a guarantor, foreigners must also obtain a negative COVID-19 (RT-PCR) swab test result within 72 hours before travelling to Brunei. They will also be required to undergo a second COVID-19 swab test and mandatory self-isolation upon arrival, according to the guidelines and the Ministry of Health's risk assessment. The guarantor is responsible for booking the hotel accommodation for the self-isolation period, which can range from 2 to 14 days. It is important to note that the guarantor must confirm the invoices for payment of hotel accommodation at the end of the self-isolation period.

The guarantor also needs to ensure that the foreigner has resided in the country of departure for 14 days and is in good health before entering Brunei. These conditions and procedures for the entry of foreigners into Brunei were effective for entry travel starting 15 September 2020. It is always recommended to check for the latest updates and guidelines related to the entry of foreigners into Brunei on the official websites and portals.

It is worth noting that there are different visa requirements for visitors to Brunei, depending on their nationality and passport type. Citizens of certain countries, such as ASEAN member states and European Union member states, may enter Brunei without a visa for a specified duration. However, visitors from other countries may need to obtain a visa from a Bruneian diplomatic mission or apply for a visa on arrival, depending on their nationality.

Special consideration is given to certain travel categories

As of 15 September 2020, special consideration is given to certain categories of travellers to Brunei who need to enter during the Level 1 De-escalation Plan movement. These categories include:

• Foreigners entering for official duties and obligatory affairs only (essential travel).
• Foreign students studying in Brunei, either under a government scholarship or self-funded.
• Foreigners undergoing medical treatment in Brunei Darussalam.
• Any special consideration given on a case-by-case basis, subject to the government's assessment of the reason for entry.

For these categories, a guarantor is required to submit an application to obtain an Entry Travel Pass for the traveller. The guarantor can be either a government agency, a private company, or an individual. The guarantor must include supporting documents with the application and make an advance payment for the traveller's COVID-19 swab test. The traveller must obtain a negative COVID-19 swab test result within 72 hours before departure and undergo mandatory self-isolation upon arrival in Brunei.

It is important to note that the information provided here may not be up to date, and travellers are advised to check the latest travel advisories and requirements before their trip.

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