Brunei visa options for Australia passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Brunei

Rules are written for non-Bruneian foreign nationals; short-stay visa-free durations and sponsorship rules vary sharply by passport (e.g. EU/UK/US 90 days, many ASEAN/East-Asian states 14 days, and South-Asian nationals needing a sponsor), so travelers should verify their own nationality.

• Tourist

  Visa-Free Short Stay / Social Visit Visa

  Visa-free stay varies by nationality (commonly 14, 30 or 90 days); the consular Social Visit Visa is typically issued for short stays of around 30 days (verify by passport).

  Insurance

  Requiredunder the medical-insurance mandate in force since 1 July 2025, Social Visit Visa holders must carry medical insurance/takaful of at least BND 10,000 (approx USD 7,400); recommended to exceed this with comprehensive travel cover.

  Good for

  Tourists and people on short social/family visits. Many nationalities (e.g. EU, UK, US) enter visa-free; others need a Social Visit Visa or sponsor.

  Requirement

  Passport valid 6+ months, onward/return ticket and proof of funds; mandatory E-Arrival Card registration before arrival; nationals of some countries (e.g. Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) require a sponsor (airline, agent or host).

• Most nomadsBusiness

  Business / Professional Visit Visa

  Up to about 3 months (Professional Visit Visa), extendable in some cases; advance approval must be secured before entry.

  Insurance

  Requiredsince 1 July 2025, Professional/Business Visit Visa holders must hold medical insurance/takaful of at least BND 10,000 for short stays (90 days or less) and BND 100,000 for longer stays.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals on short-term business activities, or professionals/experts delivering specialised work for a specific project awarded in Brunei.

  Requirement

  Sponsoring/inviting Brunei company submits the application to the Immigration Department; supporting business/contract documents and prior PVV approval before travel.

• Most nomadsWork

  Employment Pass

  Typically valid 2 years, renewable; requires approval from the Prime Minister's Office, Labour Department and Immigration Department, plus an employer labour quota. A Foreign Workers Licence and pre-departure plus in-country medical screening also apply.

  Insurance

  Requiredemployer-funded medical insurance is mandatory; from 1 January 2026 (phase two) private-sector employment-pass holders must carry coverage of at least BND 100,000 (approx USD 74,000).

  Good for

  Skilled professionals, managers and specialists hired by a registered Brunei company.

  Requirement

  Confirmed job offer and employer sponsorship; employer must show the role cannot be filled locally; passport valid 6+ months, qualifications and medical clearance.

• Work

  Special Authorisation Work Pass (SAWP)

  Up to about 6 months; generally non-renewable.

  Insurance

  Requiredwork-pass holders fall under the mandatory medical-insurance mandate; employer-provided hospitalisation/outpatient cover is required (work-pass minimum coverage BND 100,000; verify exact threshold for short assignments).

  Good for

  Foreign workers on short assignments (often oil/construction/IT) or from countries under bilateral labour agreements, for stays under one year.

  Requirement

  Employer sponsorship and labour-department approval; passport validity, qualifications and medical clearance.

• Most nomadsStudy

  Student Visa

  Tied to the duration of the course of study (single-entry visa issued on arrival against an Immigration approval letter).

  Insurance

  Requiredstudents must show health insurance covering their study period; from 1 January 2026 student passes are formally included in the mandatory medical-insurance mandate.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals admitted to a full-time course at a recognised Brunei educational institution.

  Requirement

  Letter of acceptance/enrolment, passport valid 6+ months with blank pages, academic credentials, proof of funds (about one year), and a medical certificate of fitness.

• Residence

  Dependent Visa / Pass

  Tied to the validity of the sponsoring family member's work authorisation.

  Insurance

  Requiredfrom 1 January 2026 dependent passes (spouses and non-schooling children) are included in the mandatory medical-insurance mandate; coverage of at least BND 10,000 applies to dependent-type holders.

  Good for

  Spouse and children (under 18) of a foreign national legally working in Brunei.

  Requirement

  Sponsorship by the employed family member; proof of relationship and the sponsor's valid pass.

• Most nomadsResidence

  Long-Term Pass (Social / Business / Professional)

  Up to 5 years with multiple-entry, renewable; effective from 31 December 2024. Stays over 3 months require a Green/Smart Identity Card (approx BND 204).

  Insurance

  Requiredlong-term professional/business pass holders fall under the BND 100,000 medical-insurance/takaful requirement; verify the exact threshold for each sub-category.

  Good for

  Long-term residents: those with family ties to Brunei citizens/PRs (Social), company owners and investors meeting economic-contribution criteria (Business), and in-demand foreign experts (Professional).

  Requirement

  Category-specific eligibility (family ties; investment/job-creation and tax compliance; or assessed scarce expertise), applied via the Immigration Department's Long-Term Pass Secretariat.

• Residence

  Permanent Residence

  Permanent, subject to entry-visa conditions and continued compliance.

  Insurance

  Requiredforeign-national permanent residents are covered by the mandatory medical-insurance mandate (PR entry-visa category minimum coverage BND 100,000).

  Good for

  Foreign nationals seeking permanent residency, typically professionals and those judged to contribute to Brunei's economic and social development.

  Requirement

  Long qualifying ties to Brunei and government assessment of economic/social contribution; PR is discretionary and conditions vary - verify current criteria with Immigration.

• Transit

  Transit Visa

  Maximum 72 hours; issued at Brunei International Airport.

  Insurance

  Recommendedno transit-specific insurance mandate found, but travel medical cover is advisable.

  Good for

  Travelers passing through Brunei en route to a third country.

  Requirement

  Valid passport, confirmed onward air ticket, visa for the onward third country (if applicable) and proof of sufficient funds.

Indicative routes compiled from Brunei government, MFA, Immigration Department and reputable immigration sources; durations, fees and the phased medical-insurance mandate change, so verify with the Brunei Department of Immigration & National Registration before relying on any figure. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Australia → Brunei: frequently asked

Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit Brunei?

Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Australia passport holder live or work long-term in Brunei?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Brunei has 9 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Brunei?

Entry to Brunei never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Brunei visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.