Brunei Visa: Guide For Bangladeshi Travelers

If you're a Bangladeshi citizen wanting to travel to Brunei, you'll need to get a visa. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your visit. For example, you can get a tourist visa or a business visa. To get a Bruneian visa, you'll need to submit your application to a local embassy, consulate, or visa center. The High Commission of Brunei in Dhaka handles all kinds of visa applications for Brunei.

Brunei visa requirements for Bangladeshi citizens

To enter Brunei for tourism or business purposes, Bangladeshi citizens need a visa. This can be an e-visa or a visa on arrival. However, the only visa available to travellers visiting Brunei is a paper or embassy visa, which must be obtained from a local embassy or consulate before travelling.

The High Commission of Brunei in Dhaka, Bangladesh handles all kinds of visa applications. Applicants must be present in person during the visa application submission. The application process includes submitting a duly filled application form, signed by the applicant (or both parents/legal guardian if the applicant is a minor). The application form must be accompanied by the applicant's current passport, with a minimum validity of three months until the planned date of return, and with a minimum of two blank pages. Additional documents, such as proof of onward travel and passport photographs, are also required.

For tourist visas, a letter of invitation from the host organisation in Brunei may be required. This letter should include conference registration details if applicable. Financial documents, such as bank statements and income tax certificates, are also necessary to demonstrate sufficient funds for the trip.

For business visits, a letter from the employer stating the reasons for the visit, contact details of the business parties involved, and the employment contract is essential.

Visa options for Brunei

The visa requirements for entering Brunei vary depending on the traveller's nationality, the purpose of their trip, and the intended duration of their stay. Here is a comprehensive guide to the visa options for those seeking to travel from Bangladesh to Brunei:

Visa-Exempt Entry

Brunei allows visa-free entry for citizens of certain countries for short-term visits. However, it is important to note that Bangladeshi citizens are not included in this visa-exempt category and will require a visa to enter Brunei.

Brunei e-Visa

The e-Visa option is available for Bangladeshi citizens intending to visit Brunei for tourism or business purposes. The e-Visa can be obtained through an online application process before departure.

Brunei Visa on Arrival

Another option for Bangladeshi citizens is to obtain a visa on arrival in Brunei. This option is available at all immigration checkpoints upon payment of a fee. The visa on arrival is offered as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, each with a validity of 14 or 30 days.

Brunei Tourist Visa

The Brunei Tourist Visa is a more traditional visa option that requires an application to be submitted to the nearest Brunei embassy or consulate. This visa is suitable for foreign nationals intending to visit Brunei for tourism, to visit friends or family, or for other short-term stays. The application process typically involves submitting the visa application form, providing necessary documents (such as a valid passport, passport-sized photographs, proof of accommodation, etc.), and paying the associated fees.

Brunei Business Visa

The Brunei Business Visa is designed for foreign nationals who plan to engage in business-related activities or investments in Brunei. This visa typically requires a sponsor, who may be a local company or organisation, to submit the application on the applicant's behalf. The sponsor will also need to provide relevant company documentation and a Letter of Support.

Brunei Work Visa

The Brunei Work Visa is intended for foreign nationals who have secured employment within Brunei. This visa often involves a more extensive application process, and applicants may need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of their qualifications or employment contract.

Brunei Dependent Visa

The Dependent Visa is available for the spouse and dependent children of Work Visa holders. This visa allows families to accompany the primary visa holder during their stay in Brunei.

Brunei Student Visa

The Student Visa is required for foreign nationals who plan to study at an educational institution in Brunei. Applicants will likely need to provide proof of their enrolment or acceptance at the institution.

Brunei Transit Visa

The Transit Visa is a short-term visa that can be obtained on arrival at Brunei International Airport for a maximum stay of 72 hours. This visa is suitable for those with a confirmed onward flight within the validity period.

Visa application process

To obtain a Bruneian visa as a Bangladeshi citizen, you must visit a local embassy, consulate, or visa center before travelling. The High Commission of Brunei in Dhaka, Bangladesh, handles all kinds of visa applications. Here is a step-by-step guide to the visa application process:

• Identify the visa type: Determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism or business, to choose the appropriate visa type.
• Prepare the required documents: Gather all the necessary documents, including a duly filled and signed application form, a valid passport, recent passport-size photographs, and supporting documents based on your visa type (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, invitation letter, business license, etc.).
• Submit the application: Visit the High Commission of Brunei in Dhaka during the application submission hours (09:30 - 11:00, Sunday to Thursday) and submit your application in person.
• Provide additional information: During the application process, you may be asked to present original documents and attend an interview.
• Pay the visa fee: A typical visa fee for Bangladeshi citizens is TK. 1,400, and the processing time varies depending on the visa type.
• Wait for processing: The standard processing time for a tourist visa is 7-8 working days, while a business visa may take 10-12 working days. These timelines may change without prior notice.
• Collect your passport: Passports are usually delivered between 14:00 and 14:30, regardless of the visa type.

Please note that the visa requirements and fees are subject to change, and it is always recommended to consult the official website or embassy for the most up-to-date information.

Visa fee and processing time

To obtain a Bruneian visa as a Bangladeshi citizen, you must apply for an embassy visa or e-visa. You can find the visa you need on the government site. The visa is typically a stamp or sticker added to your passport.

The visa fee amount is not readily available, but the general requirements for a visa include:

• A valid passport for at least six months with a minimum of two blank pages.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs with a white background.
• A completed visa application form.
• A Brunei Identity Card (IC) copy.
• Proof of return or onward tickets.
• Details of accommodation.
• Any additional documents to support your purpose of visit, especially for business visa travellers.

The processing time for a standard visa is at least five working days, and three working days for rush/express delivery.

Visa exemptions

As of 2024, citizens of 54 countries can enter Brunei without a visa for short-term visits, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, and the Czech Republic. However, this exemption does not apply to Bangladeshi citizens, who require a visa for both tourism and business visits to Brunei.

Bangladeshi citizens with an ordinary passport must obtain an embassy visa from a local embassy, consulate, or visa center before travelling to Brunei. This typically takes the form of a stamp or sticker added to the passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of the intended stay in Brunei, and proof of onward travel is also required.

Bangladeshi citizens with diplomatic or official/service passports may be eligible for a visa exemption for a stay of up to 30 days. However, this exemption only applies to ASEAN member states (except Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam) and the United Arab Emirates.

Passengers transiting through Brunei International Airport for less than 24 hours do not need a visa. Additionally, those travelling to a third country can obtain a transit visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 72 hours, but this does not apply to Bangladeshi citizens, who must have a sponsor such as an airline or travel agent to obtain this visa.

Frequently asked questions