Visiting Brunei: Visa-Free Entry and What to See

By The Escape desk · Last verified 11 October 2026

Singaporeans can visit Brunei for up to 30 days without a visa, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The one piece of paperwork you must not skip is Brunei’s e-Arrival Card: it is mandatory for foreign nationals, free, and should be submitted at least three days before you arrive on the Immigration Department’s site, imm.gov.bn. Your Singapore dollars are accepted at par because the two currencies are pegged one to one, which makes Brunei one of the easiest short escapes from Changi. The rewards are calm and green: the golden-domed mosques of Bandar Seri Begawan, the stilt village of Kampong Ayer, and the rainforest of Ulu Temburong National Park.

Brunei is quiet in the best way: little traffic, early nights and a great deal of forest. A few house rules make the difference between a smooth trip and an awkward one, so here they are first.

Quick facts

• Visa: none for Singaporeans for visits of up to 30 days.
• e-Arrival Card: mandatory, free, at imm.gov.bn, at least three days before arrival.
• Money: Brunei dollar and Singapore dollar are pegged at par; SGD notes are accepted.
• Alcohol: not sold; non-Muslim visitors may bring a limited duty-free amount and must declare it.
• Fridays: most places close from 12pm to 2pm for prayers.
• Ramadan: eating or drinking in public during fasting hours is an offence.

The entry checklist

Item	What is required	Where
Visa	Not needed for up to 30 days	MFA Singapore travel page
e-Arrival Card	Mandatory for foreigners; free; at least three days before arrival	imm.gov.bn
Arrival Declaration Form	Required of all arriving travellers	Online or the BruHealth app
Alcohol declaration	Declare any alcohol you bring in on arrival	Customs at the point of entry
Passport	Valid passport; MFA does not state a minimum validity	Check with the Brunei High Commission in Singapore

To file the e-Arrival Card, create an account on imm.gov.bn, verify it with the one-time password, then enter your passport, travel and accommodation details. You get a reference number on submission; keep it handy. MFA notes that transit passengers who do not pass through immigration are exempt. It also reminds travellers that visa rules can change at short notice, so anyone planning a longer stay should check before travelling.

House rules that catch visitors out

• Alcohol: sales are banned. MFA says non-Muslim visitors above the minimum age may bring in two bottles of wine or spirits and twelve cans of beer for private consumption, declared on arrival. Brunei Tourism advises drinking only in private places such as your hotel room and keeping the declaration form with any unfinished alcohol.
• Syariah law: Brunei runs a common-law system alongside a Syariah system, and some Syariah Penal Code provisions apply to non-Muslims as well.
• Dress: dress modestly in public. At mosques, women cover head, shoulders and knees, everyone removes shoes and keeps quiet; some mosques lend robes.
• Friday prayers: banks, shops, food outlets and attractions close from 12pm to 2pm.
• Smoking: prohibited in enclosed areas and workplaces.
• Driving in: foreign-registered vehicles must enter with at least three-quarters of a tank of fuel.

What to see

Bandar Seri Begawan

The capital is compact. Its landmarks are the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque by the river and the larger Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, both open to respectfully dressed visitors outside prayer times. Across the water sits Kampong Ayer, a village of homes, schools and walkways on stilts, reached by the small water taxis that buzz along the Brunei River; one of Brunei Tourism’s two information centres is there, the other is at the airport. The Royal Regalia Building and the evening food stalls round off a city day. Opening hours vary, especially on Fridays, so check each place before you set out.

Temburong and Ulu Temburong National Park

Temburong is Brunei’s green enclave, reached since March 2020 by the 30 km Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge, or by speedboat to Bangar in about 45 minutes. Its centrepiece is Ulu Temburong National Park, around 550 square kilometres of protected rainforest, with a canopy walkway of five linked towers rising more than 43 metres. The park is not directly reachable by car: the final stretch is by river boat, and visitors generally go with an authorised guide or tour operator.

Trip	Time to allow	Notes
Bandar Seri Begawan mosques and Kampong Ayer	One day	Dress for mosques; avoid Friday midday
Ulu Temburong day tour	A full day	A 2026 travel guide reports full-day tours at about BND 140 to 180 per person; compare inclusions
Overnight in Temburong	One to two nights	Lodges and eco-village stays along the rivers

A worked example: a three-day long weekend

1. Three days before: submit the e-Arrival Card and keep the reference number.
2. Day 1: land, settle in, and spend the late afternoon at the riverside mosque and on a water taxi to Kampong Ayer.
3. Day 2: full-day Ulu Temburong tour, booked in advance.
4. Day 3: the second mosque and a museum in the morning, then fly home. If Day 3 is a Friday, plan around the 12pm to 2pm closure.

The WahLiao Verdict

Brunei is a gentle, good-value long weekend for Singaporeans: no visa, no currency exchange, and rainforest within an hour or two of the capital. Do the e-Arrival Card early, leave the duty-free bottles at Changi unless you really want them, pack modest clothes, and spend your money on a proper guided day in Ulu Temburong. That day is the one you will remember.

Questions people ask

Can I use Singapore dollars in Brunei?

Yes. The currencies are pegged at par and SGD notes are accepted. Cards are widely taken; ask your bank about overseas surcharges.

Is the e-Arrival Card free?

Yes. MFA states there is no registration fee. Use the official imm.gov.bn site rather than paid agents.

Can I visit Ulu Temburong on my own?

In practice, most visitors go with an authorised guide or tour operator, because access involves river boats and park arrangements that are hard to organise independently.

Is it all right to visit during Ramadan?

Yes, but do not eat or drink in public during fasting hours, as it is an offence. Hotels and some outlets cater to non-fasting guests discreetly.

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, Brunei travel page: visa-free stay, e-Arrival Card, laws; Brunei Tourism, e-Arrival Card steps, travellers’ essentials and Temburong district; Postcards From The World, Ulu Temburong access and 2026 tour prices. The Escape explains; it does not advise.

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For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.