The Brunei authorities have decided to refuse entry for foreign nationals. The entry ban also applies in transit. For information on coronavirus / covid-19, see the section Health.
Safety
Brunei is considered a relatively safe country, but crime can occur.
Although there is some crime in Brunei, violent crime is rare. Burglary and theft are the most common forms of crime. Valuables should therefore be kept safe.
In some countries counterfeit and pirated goods are sold. Please note that the purchase and sale of such products may be prohibited by local law and is prohibited from taking in to Norway.
Traffic is one of the biggest security threats in Brunei. It is not least a danger to pedestrians, and it is important for pedestrians to exercise great care. The road standard in Brunei is good, but the traffic density is high.
Many travel to Brunei to visit the jungle. It is recommended to use a local guide and stick to the trails.
Brunei has so far been spared terrorist attacks, and the risk of terrorist attacks is considered low.
Brunei has so far been spared natural disasters, but it is important to follow messages and instructions from local authorities. Brunei is outside the typhoon area and there are no volcanoes there. Brunei territory is also not particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Brunei requires all visitors to have a valid passport, return tickets and sufficient means to support themselves. With a valid passport, Norwegians do not need a visa to stay in Brunei for up to 90 days.
Norwegian emergency passports are approved in Brunei. When using an emergency passport, a visa is required to stay in Brunei, listed in the emergency passport. A visa is not required for transit.
For travel to Brunei with refugee travel document (green travel document) travel document for persons staying on a humanitarian basis (blue travel document) a valid visa is required. For more information on this, contact the Brunei Embassy to the Nordic countries.
Brunei’s Embassy to the Nordic Countries:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Jalan Subok
Bandar Seri Begawan BD2710
Brunei Darussalam
Tel: (+ 673-2) 261171
Email: embd.nordic@mfa.gov.bn
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 07.45 -16.30 (Brunei time). Friday and Sunday it is closed.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): It appears that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends travel that is not strictly necessary for all countries. Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of how covid-19 is developing. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation. More information can be found on the Ministry of Health Brunei’s website.
The Brunei authorities have decided to refuse entry for foreign nationals. The entry ban also applies in transit. If you are still traveling in Brunei, you are encouraged to contact your travel agent, airline or insurance company as soon as possible if you wish to return to Norway.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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Travelers are advised to take out travel insurance as private hospital stays can quickly turn up in substantial sums. Otherwise, refer to health stations in Norway for an overview of necessary and recommended vaccines. International vaccination certificate is useful. Brunei requires that you be vaccinated for yellow fever if you come from certain selected countries.
There has been an increase in the number of cases of Degue fever in recent years. The mosquito species that transmit the dengue virus often stay in and around towns and cities. They usually sting during the day, unlike mosquitoes that transmit malaria. However, they can also stick in the evening and night hours. Common Dengue fever is rarely a deadly disease. In a few cases, the disease can develop into a more severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever, which has higher mortality. This usually happens if you have previously been infected. There is no vaccine or tablets for the disease. More information can be found on the Institute of Public Health’s website.
There is minimal danger of malaria in the larger cities. It is recommended to take malaria tablets when traveling to the jungle on Borneo.
HIV/AIDS is not widespread in Brunei. In December 2011, 49 people were living with HIV in Brunei.
The sanitary conditions in Brunei are good. There are little waterborne and foodborne diseases in the country. The drinking water is clean and the food hygiene is generally good.
There is smoke and fog as a result of forest fires in Indonesia. Otherwise, Brunei has a tropical climate with high temperature and high humidity year round.
Practical information
The laws in Brunei reflect that it is a Muslim country. The country is considered more conservative than neighboring Malaysia. Therefore, one should dress properly, respect the local traditions, laws and religion during a stay in Brunei. This is especially true during the festive month of Ramadan and when visiting mosques. In May 2014, Brunei introduced stricter religious penalties, which also include tourists.
Brunei legislation is based in part on Sharia law, but may in some cases include non-Muslims, including tourists. Therefore, visitors risk whipping or long prison stays in case of breach of legislation.
In Brunei, homosexuality is illegal and gays should be careful and aware of this when traveling there. Public squeezing and kissing between a man and woman is also not accepted.
In May 2014, the new Criminal Code “Syariah Penal Code Order 2013” was introduced in Brunei and applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims. Brunei’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has provided some general advice on common questions related to the new Penal Code. These can be read in English version here. In April 2019, the last part of the new law will be introduced. This will result in severe penalties including amputation and death penalty for stealing certain crimes, including those not prohibited in Norway.
Homosexual activity could be punished with the most severe punishment under the new Penal Code, ie death penalty by stoning.
Particular attention should be paid to the country’s drug legislation and weapons possession: Brunei practices automatic death penalty for drug offenses and illegal possession of weapons. Under current law, possession of heroin, ecstasy, 15 grams of morphine, 30 grams of cocaine or 500 grams of Cannabis and the death penalty. A 20-year prison sentence is liable for possession of smaller quantities.
Public consumption of alcohol is illegal. Foreigners and non-Muslims can bring twelve cans of beer and two bottles of other alcohol (wine or liquor) into the country. This must be recorded on arrival. After the alcohol ban went into effect in the early 1990s, all bars and nightclubs were closed.
Catching cigarettes in Brunei can also be difficult.
Furthermore, possession of pornography and any public criticism of the sultan, royal family or kingdom is illegal.
Shapes: Point with your entire hand over your index finger. A brownie greets with a slight handshake and then takes his hand to his chest. Some brownies do not greet people of the opposite sex. One should not go in front of a person praying or touching the Qur’an.
The official language of Brunei is Bahasa Melayu (Malay). In addition, English is widely used.
The mains is 220V. The telephone system works well domestically and internationally to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Western Europe and the United States. Brunei has a well-developed mobile network.
Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners, other.
Public office opening hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday: 7.45 – 12.15 and 13.30 – 16.30. Banks are usually open from 9am to 3pm on weekdays and from 9am to 11am on Saturdays. Most shopping centers are open from 10am to 9:30 pm 7 days a week.
Transportation: There are buses from the capital to the major cities. Car hire is available from the airport and from the major hotels.
The road network in Brunei is well developed. People with a foreign driver’s license can drive in Brunei. For stays over 90 days, you must obtain a Brownian driver’s license.
There are several airlines flying from Brunei to major cities in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Emergency telephone for Brunei police: 993 (According to allcitycodes, country code is +673)
Time difference compared to Norway + seven hours (six hours during the Norwegian summer time).
Norway’s honorary consul, Mr Ahmad bin Isa, can be contacted if consular services are needed. The consulate’s contact information is:
Royal Norwegian Consulate
c/o Ahmad Isa & Partners Advocates & Solicitors
Unit Nos. 406A-410A,
4th Floor, Wisma Jaya
Bandar Seri Begawan BS8811
Brunei Darussalam
Phone: +673 2239091 2239092/2239093/2239094
Fax: +673 2239095/2239096
Email: ahmad@ahmadisapartners.com.bn
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8.30am – 12.00pm, Friday: 8.00am –
12.00pm, Saturday: 8.30am – 12.00am Honorary Consul: Haji Ahmad Isa Pehin Date Hj Isa