(Last updated: 18 May 2011)

Visas

All non-Brunei citizens require a work permit that is valid for two years.

Application for a labour licence must first be made to the Labour Department. On recommendation, the Immigration Department will then give permission for the worker to enter Brunei. The Labour Department and the Immigration and National Registration Department are two of the six main departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs that deal with foreign workers and foreign employment matters.

Australians are required to have a valid visa to enter Brunei. Australian visitors who enter the country through the International Airport of Brunei can obtain a visa upon arrival for a duration of up to 14 days for the purpose of official, social, tourism or business visits.

Visitors must hold a valid travel document (passport) issued by the Australian government and a return ticket to country of origin or onward destination within 14 days of arrival. They must also have sufficient funds to provide for themselves while staying in Brunei.

Visa costs are as follows:

• A single entry visa to Brunei is B$15
• A transit visa (permits you to stay in Brunei for up to 72 hours) is B$15
• A multiple entry visa for less than three months is B$20
• A multiple entry visa for three months to one year is B$30
• Australian visitors who wish to apply for a multiple entry visa or apply for an employment pass are required to make a personal application to the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Australian visitors who wish to stay in Brunei Darussalam for more than 14 days are required to apply at the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in Canberra before entering the country.

For Brunei visa application in Australia, please contact:

High Commission of Brunei Darussalam
10 Beale Crescent Deakin
ACT 2606
Tel: +61 2 6285 4500, 6285 4501 or 6285 4503
Fax: +61 2 6285 4545

Climate

Brunei has a tropical climate with high rainfall and warm temperature all year round. Brunei is not directly in the path of tropical storms, cyclones and typhoons, although it is heavily affected by tides.

Monsoon winds influence the climatic variations. The northeast monsoon occurs from December to March, while the southeast monsoon occurs from June to October.

The annual rainfall is generally high with two rainy periods occurring from September to January, and May to June. March and April are the warmest months and humidity is high throughout the year.

For weather details in Brunei, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

It will take approximately 20 minutes from Brunei International Airport to the city. The airport tax is B$5 for passengers leaving for destinations in Malaysia or Singapore and B$12 for passengers to all other destinations.

Ground transport

Metered taxis are available from the international airport to all parts of the country. The fare for the 11 kilometre ride from the airport to Bandar Seri Begawan is around B$20. Some hotels provide free transfer from airport. An intermittent bus service runs to and from the airport, and from the capital to the major towns of Brunei except Bangar and Temburong.

Water taxis are the most common form of transport in ‘Kampong Ayer’, the Water Village. Regular water taxis and other boats have routes between the capital and Bangar, and Malaysia, including Limbang (in Sarawak) and Labuan. Onwards connections are available from Labuan to a few towns in the state of Sabah.

Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available for hire at B$100 to B$400 per day depending on the type of car. It is advisable to book cars in advance through the reservation desks at the hotel. An international driving licence is normally required if you are driving.

Hotels

There is a relatively big range of hotels in Brunei. The Empire Hotel and Country Club is a six-star hotel with a room rate of B$250 per night. Room rates for a two- to three-star hotel is approximately B$65 per night. A middle range hotel would cost around B$120 per night including breakfast. The Sheraton Hotel is the only international hotel chain in Brunei, and their room rate is approximately B$190 per night. Hotel rooms are usually available in Brunei, however, it would be advisable to book well in advance in case of a major event.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Brunei. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Health

It is advisable to be inoculated against cholera and yellow fever, especially if arriving from an affected area, but certificates are not always requested at the point of entry.

Water must be boiled or filtered prior to consumption.

Tipping

Tipping is optional. Some hotels and service establishment add 10 per cent service charge to their room rates or services.

Time zones and time differences

Brunei is two hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To find out the current time in Bandar Seri Begawan, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Brunei's country code is 673.

For calls to Brunei from Australia dial: 0011 + 673 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Brunei to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Government offices are open between 7.45am-12.15pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm, Monday to Thursday and Saturday.

Banks are open between 9.00am-3.00pm, Monday to Friday and 9.00am-11.00am, Saturday.

Commercial businesses are open between 8.00am-noon and 1.15pm-5.00pm, Monday to Friday and 8.00am-noon, on Saturday.

Shops are open between 7.30am-8.00pm/9.00pm, Monday to Saturday.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year's Day
February 2 – Hari Raya Haji
February 8 – Chinese New Year
February 23 – National Day
May 2 – The Birthday of Prophet Muhammad
May 31 – Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day
July 15 – The Birthday of the Sultan of Brunei
Sept 2 – First day of Ramadhan (subject to change)
Oct 2 – Hari Raya (subject to change)
Dec 25 - Christmas

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The official currency is the Brunei dollar (B$).

Electricity and water

Electricity supply in Brunei is 240 volts, 50 cycles. Standard plugs have three round or square pins.

Dining

There are numerous restaurants serving international cuisines that have mushroomed around the country. These restaurants offer foreign dishes ranging from Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian to Thai, Korean, Mediterranean, Arabic, Vietnamese, French and other cuisines.

To please the most discerning palates, highly rated hotels in the country also offer various western cuisines, authentic Italian dishes, Japanese and Lebanese food.

A wide selection of local dishes can also be found in the local night markets. There are a great number of cafes, bistros and eateries that serve top class cuisine at very reasonable prices in the Sultanate. Generally, the food served in Brunei is Halal, as the population is made up of mostly Muslims. The country does not place too many restrictions on restaurants, as long as proper rules and regulations are followed. For non-halal establishments, a label or sign states that the food served is that particular eatery is not for Muslim consumption.

As the law in Brunei prohibits the public sale and consumption of alcohol, all restaurants, regardless of Halal or non-halal ones, do not serve alcohol.

Tourist attractions

Brunei Darussalam offers visitors excellent museums, resplendent mosques, scenic spots and for the nature lovers, lakes, hills and seashores, mostly located in and around the capital.

Brunei’s four districts each boasts its own tourist attraction; parks, forest reserve, historical buildings, mosques, shopping malls to name a few.

Some of the major attractions in Brunei are:

• Kampong Ayer (water village)
• Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (modern shopping complex)
• Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
• The Royal Regalia Museum
• Brunei History Centre
• Tamu Kianggeh (open market)
• Brunei Arts and Handicrafts Centre
• Brunei Museum
• Mausoleum of Sultan Bolkiah
• House of twelve roofs
• Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
• The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park and Recreation Area
• Wasai Kendai (waterfall)
• Jerudong Theme Park
• Millionth Barrel Monument
• Oil and Gas Discovery Centre