Published: October 24, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Brunei Travel Advisory and Brunei International Travel Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Spg 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta
Bandar Seri Begawan
BC4115 Brunei Darussalam
673-238-7400
Emergencies:
Ambulance – 991
Fire & Rescue – 995
Police – 993
Search & Rescue – 998
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 0730-1715; Friday 0730-1130.
OSAC Country Chapter
Brunei currently does not have an active OSAC Country Chapter.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Brunei Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Brunei.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bandar Seri Begawan as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Brunei.
The crime emergency line in Brunei is 993.
Crime: General Threat
While in Brunei, you can generally avoid becoming a victim of a crime of opportunity by practicing good security awareness. For example, secure your valuables (remove them from plain view), avoid secluded locations, properly secure your residence and vehicle, and do not travel alone late at night.
Crimes against expatriates are uncommon. Most crimes are non-violent crimes of opportunity such as petty theft, residential burglary, and vehicle break-ins. Violent crimes are rare, but do occur.
Credit card fraud remains a risk on par with any major international city. If using an ATM, search for an indoor area with controlled entry. Routinely monitor credit card and bank statements for any fraudulent transactions.
Firearms, alcohol, prostitution, drugs, and gambling are illegal in Brunei. Harsh penalties can result from engaging in the solicitation of prostitutes. Police continue to target prostitution by foreign workers and actively investigate reports of illegal gambling in the country.
Brunei maintains parallel common law and sharia legal systems; local laws and penalties apply to visitors in both systems. Brunei’s penal codes criminalize some acts that are not crimes in the United States, including blasphemy, apostasy, and homosexual activity, among others. Many crimes carry severe penalties, including jail, fines, or, in the case of foreigners, deportation; corporal punishment is prescribed for crimes ranging from vandalism to rape. Penalties for drug offenses and violent crimes are severe and can include the death penalty, although the Sultan of Brunei has declared a moratorium on executions.
Under the Sharia Penal Code (SPC), judicial procedures and punishments include, for certain offenses and under certain evidentiary circumstances, amputation of hands or feet and death by stoning. The Sharia Penal Code applies regardless of an individual’s religion or nationality, although some sections of the law have specific applicability to Muslims. Under Brunei’s Sharia Penal Code, it is also an offense to consume any food, drink, or tobacco in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan. Gambling is illegal in Brunei. Prostitution and pornography are illegal and can result in harsh punishments.
Non-Muslims may be arrested for khalwat (close proximity between the sexes) under the Sharia Penal Code provided that the other accused party is Muslim. Khalwat may include activities from holding hands or public displays of affection to sexual activity. Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, are subject to khalwat and zina (fornication or adultery).
Public criticism of the sultan or other members of the royal family, Sharia penal code, or Islam is illegal and punishable under the law. It is an offense to consume any food, drink, or tobacco in public, including in personal vehicles, during the fasting hours of Ramadan. In general, crime in Brunei peaks in July and December, due to the holidays and schools being out of session.
Crime: Areas of Concern
There are no specific areas of concern within Brunei.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Brunei. Instances of kidnapping in Brunei happen very infrequently. Though cases have been prosecuted in the past, kidnapping is not seen as a major security concern within Brunei.
Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bandar Seri Begawan as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Brunei.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bandar Seri Begawan as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Brunei. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Brunei is a monarchy governed since 1967 by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Emergency powers in place since 1962 allow the sultan to govern with few limitations on his authority. The Legislative Council, composed of appointed, indirectly elected, and ex officio members, exercises a purely consultative role in recommending and approving legislation and budgets. Authorities deal with those questioning power swiftly. As a result, Brunei is very politically stable.
Protests & Demonstrations
Long-standing state-of-emergency laws restrict freedom of assembly. All “public talks” require a police permit. The Government of Brunei prohibits demonstrations without prior approval, which is strictly controlled. There have been no recorded demonstrations or protests in the past decade, and none anticipated in the near future.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Neither the Government of Brunei nor Bruneian citizens have openly displayed anti-U.S. or Anti-Western sentiments. The U.S. Embassy has no record of protest activity outside the Embassy or other U.S. interests.
Law Enforcement
The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and the Internal Security Department (BISD) have responsibility for law enforcement and the maintenance of order within the country, and come under the purview of the Home Affairs Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office, respectively. The RBPF is a uniformed force comparable to any city police department. The BISD is similar to the FBI, with a broader mandate regarding national security concerns (e.g., terrorism, organized crime, smuggling, and internal threats).
For crimes that fall under the Sharia Penal Code, which the government fully implemented in 2019, both entities are supported by religious enforcement officers from the Religious Affairs Ministry. The Labor and Immigration Departments in the Home Affairs Ministry also hold limited law enforcement powers for labor and immigration offenses, respectively.
The armed forces, under the Defense Ministry, are responsible for external security matters, but maintain some domestic security responsibilities. The secular and sharia judicial systems operate in parallel. The sultan maintains effective control over the security forces. There have been no reports of security force abuses.
Police Response
Law enforcement personnel may be slow to respond to calls for assistance and may not have the resources necessary to support investigations. RBPF officers are generally professional and courteous. Response times vary and delays up to 30 minutes can be expected. Most high-ranking officers speak English, but most from the reserve units and enlisted ranks have limited English ability. In the event of police detention, U.S. citizens should request that authorities contact the U.S. Embassy.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
Brunei has an extensive network of roads comparable to those in most western countries, and they are well maintained; traffic moves on the left. The country’s best-developed road network is in the Brunei-Muara district, home to most of the population. This road network is the primary means of movement for goods and services on land and has seen an increase in the volume of traffic in recent years.
Drivers must always obey traffic rules and should take extra caution when approaching traffic signals. Holders of a foreign driver’s license are permitted to drive in Brunei Darussalam for 90 days only. For longer stays, a foreign driver’s license must be endorsed to a Brunei driver’s license, available at any Land Transport Department office.
Brunei has a lower traffic injury and death rate than any other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) country, except for Singapore.
The Royal Brunei Police Force routinely sets up checkpoints and traffic stops, particularly at night, for license and registration checks; sobriety assessments; and contraband searches. If stopped, drivers should prepare to show their identification card, valid driving license, vehicle registration, and insurance policy. In case of an accident, all three documents will be required.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Most Bruneians own cars. As a result, public transport and taxis exist but are not in great demand. A bus system with six routes operates during the day in Bandar Seri Begawan from 06:00-20:00 daily, though routes and frequency are not convenient for use as a normal means of transportation. Bus fares start at B$1.00. A limited number of buses also operate between city centers, including buses heading to Tutong, Kuala Belait, and Seria, all of which depart from the bus stops located at Jalan Kianggeh (opposite the Chinese temple) and Jalan McArthur (along the waterfront) in Bander Seri Begawan.
Chauffeur-driven or rental cars are available for hire through major hotels or at the airport. Taxi rates can be more expensive than in the U.S.; metered taxis can be found at the airport, hotels, shopping centers, and the central bus station in Bandar Seri Begawan and are metered. Travelers are advised to use licensed, metered taxis or car services provided by hotels in Brunei. The fare from the airport to Bandar Seri Begawan varies from about $25-$35 USD, depending on the availability of taxis and the driver. DART, the local rideshare app, also provides taxi services. Car services through ridesharing apps have gained popularity both for convenience and fare transparency.
Visit the website of Brunei Land Transport Department and national authority responsible for road safety.
Aviation Concerns
Brunei International Airport (BWN), located approximately ten minutes from the center of the capital, is the primary airport and serves as the home base for Royal Brunei Airlines (RB). BWN is an IATA/ICAO-compliant airport consisting of a single passenger terminal capable of handling up to two million passengers, a cargo terminal, and a royal terminal where the royal family’s flights are based.
Through the Civil Aviation Security Section (CASS), Brunei continues to intensify aviation security to achieve full implementation and enforcement of ICAO Security Conventions. However, as there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Brunei, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Brunei’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights
Maritime Security
The main ferry terminal in Brunei is the Serasa Ferry Terminal at Muara, where there are several ferries daily to and from Labuan and one daily ferry each to and from Lawas and Sundar, in Sarawak. With a change of boats in Labuan, passengers can travel to and from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Ferries are generally safe and do not have a history of accidents or overloading.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Brunei, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Brunei.
The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of persons arrested for secular (not sharia) offenses to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. The government generally observes these requirements but could supersede them by invoking emergency powers.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implements these laws effectively. There were isolated reports of government corruption. Although corruption is not pervasive, the sultan and senior government ministers warned officials in the government and government-linked companies against engaging in corruption.
Health Concerns
The emergency medical phone number is 991. Brunei has a number of public hospitals and clinics. There is adequate care for basic medical conditions and several public hospitals and clinics exist. However, travelers should undergo elective surgeries or complicated care in a country with a better-developed healthcare system, such as Singapore or Bangkok.
Although there are no air ambulance services based in Brunei, service can be coordinated out of Singapore.
The following diseases are also prevalent in Brunei: Chikungunya, Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, Dengue, and Tuberculosis.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Brunei. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Strongly consider all routine vaccinations prior to all travel.
Brunei is a tropical country with a wide variety of wildlife, including venomous snakes and crocodiles. RIPAS hospital carries anti-venom for most locally found snake species.
The CDC recommends the following vaccinations for Brunei: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
Visitors planning to bring prescription or over-the-counter medication should first check with the Embassy of Brunei in Washington, DC to ensure it is legal in Brunei. Carry a copy of the prescription and a certified letter from a doctor providing details about the medication.
Medication and prescriptions are readily available but may not be the same brands as those found in the United States.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Six government treatment plants in different parts of the country maintain good drinking water quality in Brunei. Brunei Shell Petroleum and Brunei Shell’s Liquefied Natural Gas facility operate private water treatment plants. Bottled water factories make use of advanced water technology in purifying drinking water for the local population.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Natural Disaster “N” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Brunei.
Torrential rains during the monsoon seasons (December-March and June-September) have caused flooding, landslides, and road closures. In previous years, the Tutong River has overflooded, causing substantial property damage in low-lying areas. Brunei’s beaches are notorious for strong rip tides, which cause drowning deaths nearly every year.
Review OSAC’s report, Landslides: What Are They and How to Prepare.
Cybersecurity
In 2020, the Transport and Infocommunications Ministry announced the inception of Cyber Security Brunei (CSB), which will hold responsibility for developing policy and framework to govern cybersecurity. CSB is tasked with overseeing three government cyber security services – Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team, National Digital Forensic Laboratory, and Cyber Watch Center.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
The People’s Republic of China is playing an increasingly important role in Brunei, which is now part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and hosts Huawei telecommunications networks. As such, private-sector operators and personnel should take care not to transmit any proprietary, financial, or personal information over open networks that they would not want made public or shared with rival operators.
Import/Export Restrictions
Bruneian customs authorities enforce strict import/export regulations. Contact the Embassy of Brunei in Washington, DC, for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Brunei permits non-Muslim foreigners to import two liters of spirits/wine and 12 cans of beer for personal consumption. No public commercial establishments serve alcohol legally. You may only consume alcohol in a hotel room or private residence.
Satellite phones can be imported into Brunei, but they are subject to strict regulations and require a specific license and permit from the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI). All telecommunication equipment, including satellite phones, must undergo a type approval process before it can be legally used or imported.
Attempts to circumvent alcohol controls can result in arrest and criminal prosecution and fines. In late 2018, authorities charged a Dutch citizen with possession of alcohol in excess of the allowable limit. Courts found the individual not guilty as a result of insufficient evidence, but it took a year to adjudicate the case and the Brunei government prevented the individual from traveling while the court case was underway.
The importation of ammunition and firearms—including parts or components—and the illegal possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of firearms, ammunition, and/or explosives, may carry severe penalties, including the death penalty.
Visit the Brunei Royal Customs and Excise Department’s website for further information about Brunei’s Customs laws.
A country-specific listing of items goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
