Brunei

Översikt

Brunei shares the island of Borneo with Malaysia and Indonesia and is also located near the southern Philippines. The sultanate was a British protectorate from 1888 to 1984 and has not engaged in armed hostilities since the 1960s. Brunei enjoys amicable relations with its South-East Asian neighbours, though it is involved in an ongoing territorial dispute with China over the sections of the South China Sea. Although Brunei has in the past been perceived as a progressive, moderate and tolerant Muslim nation, its recent implementation of Sharia law for Muslims has prompted criticism from countless human rights advocates, who have labelled the move “draconian” and “medieval”.

Hälsa, sjukdomar och vaccination

Travellers are advised to consult a travel health specialist or general practitioner (GP) to obtain the latest information with regards to what vaccines are recommended about 4-8 weeks prior to departing for Brunei. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before your trip. The following vaccinations are recommended: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, polio and influenza. Travellers might also consider the vaccinations for Hepatitis B and rabies, according to the specifics of their travel.

Risk for mosquito-borne diseases, including Chikungunya, Dengue and malaria is present throughout the country all year-round. Insect protection measures are essential.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Japanese Encephalitis is present in the entire Brunei, transmission occurs all year.

A valid International Vaccination Certificate with proof of Polio vaccination is required from all travellers arriving from Polio-exporting countries.

Travellers should be aware of the risks associated with travellers' ailments such as diarrhoea. In Bandar Seri Begawan and the large cities the tap water is safe to drink, but not advisable to drink in remote rural areas, use bottled water or water purification equipment.

Tuberculosis is highly endemic in Brunei.

A rather developed health service exists in Brunei. Private clinics are of high quality and available in the larger cities. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. In case of a serious illness or accident, very expensive medical evacuation to Singapore may be necessary. This is why you need to ensure your insurance covers this.  

High quality medical care is available in Bandar Seri Begawan, and a few other large cities, but may be difficult to locate in rural areas.

Pass

All travellers must have a valid passport, return or onward tickets and sufficient funds to support their stay in Brunei Darussalam. Passports should be valid for at least six months from the date you intend to enter Brunei.

Visum

Visas are required by all nationals, except for nationals of ASEAN countries; the EU nationals (except for Bulgaria and Romania) for stays of up to 30 days; nationals of Canada for up to 14 days; nationals of the UK and the USA for up to 90 days for social and business purposes. Note that diplomatic and official visitors and ordinary passport holders need a visa if travelling on business.

Nationals of Australia may obtain transit visas (valid for 72 hours) and single and multiple entry visas can be issued to Australian passport holders on arrival in Brunei. Be aware that penalties may be imposed on those foreigners who do not leave the country after the allowed period of stay. A return ticket is a condition for visa-free visits to Brunei. Travellers may also be asked to present proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country.