Brunei Opens Its Borders: What To Expect

On 1 August 2022, Brunei reopened its land and sea borders with Malaysia after more than two and a half years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening of the border was a huge relief for many, especially those with families on both sides of the border, as it allowed them to finally reunite with their loved ones. The border is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm, with a new $3 levy on all cross-border travellers and a $3 service charge, called CaP, for each entry or exit. While there were concerns about potential congestion and long queues at the border, the reopening went smoothly, with travellers reporting hassle-free and quick immigration clearance.

Travel requirements and restrictions

On 1 August 2022, Brunei reopened its land and sea borders with Malaysia, allowing for commuter and leisure travel. The country's busiest border checkpoints were closed for more than two and a half years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Passport/travel document: Ensure your passport is in good condition and valid for at least six months before your date of travel. It should have at least 3-4 blank pages for immigration chops.
• Vaccination record: Foreign nationals entering Brunei must have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, Bruneian citizens and permanent residents must be boosted, meaning they must have received at least three doses. You can download your vaccination record from the BruHealth app or bring your yellow vaccination booklet.
• Travel insurance: All travellers, including Bruneian citizens and residents, must obtain travel insurance with a minimum coverage of $20,000. This is required even if you are only going to Miri for a day trip.
• Exit and Entry System (EES) QR code: A $3 service charge, called "CaP", must be paid online through the Exit and Entry System portal before arriving at the border checkpoint. This payment applies to each border crossing, so a return trip will cost $6 per person. Once the payment is made, a QR code will be issued, which must be presented at the border.
• Vehicle registration: If you are travelling by car, make sure you have the necessary documentation, such as your car's registration and insurance. An authorisation letter from the car owner is required if the vehicle is not registered in your name.
• Dutiable goods declaration: If you are bringing dutiable goods back to Brunei, you must declare them and make payment at the customs checkpoint using cash or a debit/credit card.
• Border crossing timings: The land and sea checkpoints are open daily from 6 am to 6 pm. However, there are different cutoff times for entry depending on the border crossing point. For foreign commercial vehicles, the cutoff time is 3 pm at Kuala Lurah and Sungai Tujuh, while it is 4 pm at Labu and Ujung Jalan in Temburong.
• COVID-19 requirements: As of July 2022, the border reopening was dependent on the number of patients in Categories 4 and 5, as monitored by the COVID-19 Steering Committee. Additionally, individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days were exempt from PCR testing but needed to carry a letter from the Health Ministry as proof. It is important to stay updated with the latest COVID-19 guidelines and requirements before travelling.

The impact on tourism

Brunei's land border was closed for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening of the border in August 2022 was a huge relief for many, especially those with family on the other side of the border. The border is now open daily from 6 am to 6 pm.

The impact of the border closure on tourism was significant. In 2021, Brunei recorded only 3,500 tourists, ranking 148th in the world. While small countries typically have lower numbers of tourists, when adjusted for population, Brunei ranked 130th in the world and 3rd in Southeast Asia, with 0.0077 tourists per resident.

In 2021, the tourism sector generated around $30 million in revenue, contributing approximately 0.20% to the country's gross domestic product. This represented a substantial decrease in the country's dependence on tourism, which previously accounted for 1.6% of the gross national product before the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourist receipts in 2020, with revenues plummeting from $217 million in 2019 to just $38 million in 2020, an 82% decrease. The reopening of the border is expected to boost tourism and increase the number of visitors to Brunei, as was the case before the pandemic.

The implementation of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Brunei is also anticipated to have a positive impact on tourism. Sarawak's Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, noted that before the pandemic, Brunei contributed the highest number of visitors to Sarawak. With the reopening of borders, he believes it is only a matter of time before they see an increase in the number of visitors.

The economic impact

Brunei's land borders were closed for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an exception for essential travellers. The country's border finally reopened on 1 August 2022.

The closure of borders during the pandemic had a significant economic impact on Brunei. The country's Ministry of Health reported 1,678 active cases and seven deaths as of 27 August. The pandemic caused economic losses as borders were closed to non-essential travel, and all industries in Brunei were affected.

The tourism industry was particularly hard hit, with a huge dip in visitors to the country. In 2020, there was an 81% decrease in tourists compared to 2019. This loss of economic income from tourism had a severe impact on small businesses, causing challenges with cash flow, customer retention, and disruptions to essential operations.

The strong Brunei dollar also discouraged regional tourists from visiting, as tour packages became expensive compared to neighbouring countries. As a result, local tourists preferred to visit other ASEAN countries.

However, prior to the pandemic, Brunei was on a path of economic recovery, with businesses opening domestically and the economy gaining momentum. The government also took initiatives to withstand the economic pressure, such as authorizing stimulus packages to target immediate responses.

With the reopening of the borders, there is hope for a revival of the tourism industry and the overall economy. The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Sarawak and Brunei is expected to increase the number of visitors to the country. Additionally, the government's investments in infrastructure projects and improving border crossings are anticipated to have positive economic spillover effects, creating jobs and increasing income for the workers.

The emotional impact on families

The emotional impact of border closures on families can be devastating, and the experience of being a child in an immigrant family can be incredibly challenging. Children of immigrants often face the difficult task of navigating a new culture, language, and environment while also coping with the stress and trauma of leaving their homes and loved ones behind. This can lead to feelings of loss, grief, fear, depression, and anxiety.

Research has shown that the stress of the immigrant experience can negatively impact children's educational, social, emotional, and physical development. Immigrant children are particularly in need of trauma screening and social support to help them cope with the unique challenges they face. They may also require special treatment or therapy to process their emotions and build resilience. Creating a safe and non-judgmental space for them to express themselves freely is crucial to their healing process.

In the case of Brunei, the border closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused distress for many families. For instance, Mohd Nazri, a Bruneian with family in Miri, expressed relief that he could finally visit his mother's side of the family after the border reopened. Another Bruneian, Mohd Hilham Zaini, shared the same sentiment, stating that he was happy and relieved to reunite with friends and family. The separation caused by the border closure had a significant emotional impact on these individuals, highlighting the importance of open borders for maintaining family connections and well-being.

Furthermore, the process of immigrating can be complex and demanding, affecting not only the children but also their families. Immigrant families often face challenges such as language barriers, poverty, lack of insurance, and health problems. They may require various services and support systems, including therapy, legal assistance, and access to basic needs such as food and clothing. It is essential to provide these families with the necessary resources and assistance to help them navigate the immigration process and ensure the well-being of their children.

Overall, the emotional impact of border closures and the immigration process on families can be profound and far-reaching. It is crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by immigrant children and their families and to provide them with the necessary support and resources to help them thrive in their new environment.

The border opening ceremony

The reopening of the border was a huge relief for many, especially those with family on the other side, who could finally make the 'Balik Kampung' trip to visit loved ones. The border had been closed for over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its reopening was highly anticipated by both Bruneians and Sarawakians working in Brunei.

The ceremony itself was a smooth and hassle-free process, with no congestion at the checkpoint. More than six counters were operating, and the immigration clearance was efficient, taking less than 15 minutes for travellers. This included the new requirement for all travellers to pay a $3 service charge, called "CaP", which could be paid online in advance, with a QR code issued to present at the border.

The land border reopening followed the restart of air travel in April, and authorities had taken steps to implement a new border control system with biometric data such as fingerprint and facial recognition to manage the expected influx of travellers. The daily opening hours of the border were set from 6 am to 6 pm initially, with different cutoff times for entry through various checkpoints for foreign commercial vehicles.

Frequently asked questions