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Last Updated:
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1. RECENT UPDATES Section 6 (information on Ramadan removed) of this Travel Report has been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Southeast Asia. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise caution, particularly in commercial and public establishments (hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events) and tourist areas frequented by foreigners. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Most Canadian visitors to Brunei do not experience problems. The crime rate is low. Petty crime, such as break-ins and theft, is prevalent. Violent crime is rare. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times. Visitors to rainforests should always be accompanied by an experienced guide. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Brunei and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on May 11, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for Brunei Darussalam, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Brunei. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays up to 14 days) Business Visa: Not required (for stays up to 14 days) Student Visa: Required A fee of 12 Brunei dollars is required upon departure at the airport. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address: Brunei Darussalam - BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, High Commission of Canada Address: 5th Floor, Jalan McArthur Building, No. 1, Jalan McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan Postal Address: P.O. Box 2808, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8675 Tel.: 673 (2) 22-00-43 Fax: 673 (2) 22-00-40 E-Mail: bsbgn@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.brunei.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Bandar Seri Begawan and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Brunei does not recognize dual citizenship. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada publishes a booklet, Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality. Immigration regulations are strict. Foreign workers who overstay their visas face harsh penalties, including jail sentences and caning. Canadians working in Brunei are strongly advised to closely monitor their immigration status and visa expiration dates. Brunei is an Islamic country and the legal system is partly based on Sharia (Islamic law). Death is the mandatory penalty for many narcotics offences, including trafficking of controlled drugs. State sanctions against violent crimes are very severe. Travellers should respect the laws and customs relating to dress, behaviour, and the avoidance of alcohol. Alcohol cannot be purchased in Brunei. Non-Muslim travellers over 17 years of age can bring in up to two bottles of liquor (about 2.28 litres) and 12 cans of beer for personal consumption. All alcohol must be declared at customs upon arrival. Failure to do so is a punishable offence. Effective Possession of firearms, weapons and related accessories is illegal in Brunei, punishable with heavy fines or prison sentences. Possession of pornographic material is illegal. Homosexual activity is illegal. Any public criticism of His Majesty The Sultan or other members of the Bruneian Royal Family is strongly discouraged. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Drivers should remain at the scene of an accident and not move vehicles until police arrive. The number for the police is 993. Buses and taxis are available. Effective An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The currency is the Brunei dollar (BND). Credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted at most hotels, department stores, and major establishments. U.S. dollar traveller's cheques are recommended. Automated banking machines are available and most have CIRRUS facilities.Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Unrestricted burning in neighbouring Indonesia periodically causes atmospheric pollution to rise to unhealthy levels. Levels change quickly and should be closely monitored. Travellers with respiratory problems should take this factor into account and consult with their physician prior to travelling. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities are good, but medical evacuation to Singapore is necessary for cases of serious illness. There have been occasional outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). To avoid risks of mosquito-borne dengue fever, travellers should cover up and use mosquito repellent. Red Tide appears seasonally and is highly toxic. Canadians are advised to follow local warnings and avoid eating any shellfish and seafood, as it is impossible to determine which may be contaminated by the Red Tide. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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