Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
\n\nYour travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
\n\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Brunei’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Brunei set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Brunei High Commission in the UK.
\n\nTo 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.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou 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.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nIf 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.
\n\nBrunei 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.
\n\nIf you enter on a Brunei passport, you cannot access British consular assistance, as you will be treated as a Bruneian national.
\n\nBritish 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.
\n\nTo 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.
\n\nMake sure you get your passport stamped.
\nMake sure you get your passport stamped when you enter Brunei.
\n\nDo not overstay your visa or violate the terms of entry. Penalties include detention and caning.
\n\nYou 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.
\n\nYou must also complete the Health Declaration Form before or upon arrival. More information can be found at the Ministry of Health website.
\n\nCheck 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.
\n\nTo enter Brunei, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Brunei guide.
\n\nThere 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.
\n\nYou can complete a declaration through the Customs.BN app or on arrival at the airport. Download the app for Android or iOS.
\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Brunei, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
\n\nCrime levels are low, but there are occasional incidents of petty crime against tourists as well as house burglaries. You should:
\n\nIslam 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.
\n\nPlaces of business and offices, including shops and restaurants, shut between midday and 2pm every Friday for prayers.
\n\nFriday is a non-working day for government offices and local schools. Government offices and state schools open on Saturdays instead.
\n\nRamadan 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.
\n\nYou should dress modestly. For example, do not wear shorts in government and public buildings such as health centres.
\n\nGet more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
\n\nHis 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.
\n\nAdultery 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.
\n\nPossession of pornographic material is illegal.
\n\nBrunei 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.
\n\nBrunei 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.
\n\nRead advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nThere 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.
\n\nThe 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.
\n\nSmoking 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.
\n\nPolice advise against hiking alone in the forest, including at well-known recreation areas. It’s easy to get lost when visiting the rainforest. You should:
\n\nSaltwater crocodiles have attacked and killed people fishing on riverbanks around Bandar. Crocodiles have also been seen on beaches and in the ponds of the Panaga golf course. You should:
\n\nThere are a number of venomous snakes in Brunei. If you see a snake while outdoors:
\n\nIf you find a snake indoors or outside in a confined space, like a garden, call the fire service (‘bomba’) on 995.
\n\nThe RIPAS public hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan carries antivenom. Get medical advice if a snake bites you.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Brunei, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can drive in Brunei with a valid UK driving licence for up to 90 days. You’ll then need to apply for a Bruneian licence from the Land Transport Department.
\n\nIf your vehicle is not registered in Brunei, you can only buy motor fuel at 14 designated filling stations, to a maximum of 250 litres. Petrol stations will only sell premium “V-Power” fuel to foreign cars. You can usually only pay in cash.
\n\nIf you’re driving to Malaysia with a Bruneian registered car, the same is true – foreign registered vehicles are only permitted to buy premium RON97 fuel (not the subsidised RON95 fuel) and this is not available in all petrol stations. Make sure to fill up before leaving a city.
\n\nDriving standards are different from the UK. Vehicles do not always stop at red lights or pedestrian crossings. It is common for drivers not to use seatbelts or child car seats and to speed. Road surfaces are uneven and accidents are common. Animals such as monitor lizards, snakes and monkeys could be on the roads.
\n\nIf you’re involved in a road accident as a driver, do not leave the scene or move the vehicle until the police arrive (call 993 for the police).
\n\nSmall boats carry passengers across to the water village in Bandar and along the rivers on cruises. You should:
\n\nIf you’re taking a longer trip, for example, a wildlife cruise, get local recommendations and plan your trip in advance.
\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have an existing health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 991 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Brunei.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nMost branded pharmaceuticals are readily available, though some items available without a prescription in the UK may need a doctor’s prescription in Brunei.
\n\nStandards of healthcare in Brunei are generally acceptable, though basic hospital supplies can occasionally run low. There are 2 significant medical facilities, the Government General Hospital (RIPAS) in Bandar Seri Begawan and the private Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC).
\n\nYou may need medical evacuation to Singapore if there are complications. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Brunei where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead the FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 991
\n\nFire: 995
\n\nPolice: 993
\n\nSearch and rescue: 998
\n\nContact 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.
\n\nFor 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.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe 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.
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