Embassy of the United States Brunei, Darussalam

I am a non-resident of Brunei; can I apply for my U.S. visa at U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan?

You may apply for U.S. visas at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  However, you should be aware that not applying in your country of habitual residence risks a high possibility of visa denial as one of the key factors in visa adjudication is demonstrating strong ties with the country of residence.  If you are not applying in your country of habitual residence, then the consular officer in charge of your case may not be able to fully assess your application and circumstances.  In such cases, you should consider applying in your country of residence or at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate with routine responsibilities for processing applications from your country of residence.

I am a Bruneian citizen; do I need a visa for traveling to the United States?

Bruneian citizens are generally qualified to travel to the United States for business and pleasure trips of 90 days and less without a visa but must meet all eligibility requirements.  This is known as the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  However, many non-Bruneians, including Permanent Residents of Brunei, require visas for all travel to the United States.

All travelers to the United States under the VWP must obtain the authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to initiating travel to the United States.  For more information and to register, visit the United States Custom and Border Protection's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website.

Effective September 8, 2010, all Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) registrations will require a US$14 fee payment, payable by credit or debit card.

For more information review the ESTA Online Help webpage.

I am a Brunei government official; do I require a U.S. visa for official travel to the U.S.?

All visitors, including Visa Waiver Program (VWP) eligible Brunei government officials, entering or transiting the U.S. on official (government related) travel must obtain a visa prior to their departure for the U.S. Visa applications for official travelers require the applicant:

• Complete the Electronic Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 and print out the barcode confirmation page. Each traveler must fill out an individual application.
• Obtain a Diplomatic Note (a.k.a Third-party Note) from the Consular Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• Submit his/her original passport, the barcode confirmation page, the Note and one copy of a 2inches by 2inches (50mm by 50mm) color photo on a white background to the Embassy. A personal appearance is not required for official travel.

The Embassy strongly recommends that all official travelers submit their visa application as soon as possible prior to the intended travel date to accommodate delays in processing.

Visa procedures for employees of International Organizations.

To qualify for an International Organization visas, applicant must be entering the U.S. as part of their official duties, such as:

• Members of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an International Organization
• Representatives of a recognized government traveling to the U.S. temporarily to attend meetings of a designated International Organization
• Personnel proceeding to the U.S. to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, such as The World Bank or The International Monetary Fund

An applicant for an International Organization visas cannot be processed without an official request from the appropriate International Organization or sending government.  This can be in the form of a letter for personnel taking up an appointment at an International Organization or a Diplomatic Note for government officials assigned to a permanent mission or traveling on behalf of their government.

I have selected another country as my DS-160 application location; can I still apply at U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan?

No, the Embassy is unable to retrieve and process your application if you have selected another country as your DS-160 application location.  If you wish to continue your visa application in Brunei, you must complete a new appication with Bandar Seri Begawan as your application location.

How do I make payment for my visa fee?

You may only make payment at the U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan on the day of your interview.  The Embassy only accepts cash payment in Brunei Dollars.

I am a student; how do I apply for a student visa?

The first step for a prospective student is being accepted for enrollment in an established school which is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified.  Once accepted all student applicants must receive a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) generated I-20 Form issued by their school and pay a SEVIS I-901 fee online to activate their student status.  Contact your school to coordinate this process.

After receiving their original I-20 Form, each applicant needs to complete the DS-160: Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application Form at https://ceacs.state.gov/genniv and schedule a visa interview appointment online at https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=BSB&appcode=3.  Once the visa application is completed, applicants will then need to schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the location they selected.

Each applicant for a student visa must submit the forms and documentations listed below at the Embassy on the day of their interview appointment:

• Form I-20
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
• Form DS-160 confirmation page (the page should contain a barcode)
• Passport
• One (1) 2inch x 2inch photograph on a white background
• Financial evidence to cover tuition and expenses while studying in the U.S.

Applicants must also pay in cash the required visa processing fee in the local currency equivalent at the Embassy or Consulate on the day of their interview:

• Non-refundable visa application fee of US$160
• Any applicable visa issuance reciprocity fees based on the applicants's nationality

Students are encouraged to apply fior their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing and; should note that the Embassy is able to issue a student visa 120 days in advance of the start date for their program of study.

Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all new students enter the U.S. no more than 30 days of the start/report date for your program as shown on the Form I-20.

A beginning student who wants an early entry into the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to the course start date), must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa.  However, if entering the U.S. on a visitor visa, the student will need to depart the U.S. and re-enter on their student visa before starting their program during the 30 day entry window.

My old passport has already expired. My visa for travel to the United States is still valid, but it is in my expired passport. Do I need to apply for a new visa with my new passport or do I transfer my visa to my new passport?

No, you do not need to apply for a new visa or transfer the current one into your new passport.  If your visa is still valid, undamaged, and is the appropriate type of visa required for your principal purpose of travel, then you can travel to the United States using that visa by taking with you both your old and new passports.  Please note that both passports should be from the same country and of the same type.

After I receive a visa at an Embassy or Consulate, I will be able to enter the United States, right?

No.  A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to a United States port of entry and request permission to enter the United States.  The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the United States’ Ports of Entry have sole authority to permit or deny people admission into the United States.

What is Administrative Processing?

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. Learn more.

How long am I authorized to stay in the United States?

The period of one's stay is determined by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry, not by the Consular officer who issues the visas.  It is determined on a case by case basis and is entirely up to the discretion of the CBP officer.

How do I extend my stay in the United States?

Visitors who wish to stay beyond the date indicated on their Form I-94 are required to have approval by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  See Extend Your Stay on the USCIS website.

How do I change my visa status in the United States?

Some nonimmigrant visa holders, while present in the U.S., are able to file a request which must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to change to another nonimmigrant catergory such as from a student (F1) visa to a work (H1B) visa.  See Change My Nonimmigrant Status on the USCIS website for instructions and more information.

Important Note: While filing a request with USCIS for approval to change your status before your authorized stay expires, you may remain in the U.S.   Changing status does not by itself require the visa holder to apply for a new visa.  However, if you cannot remain in the U.S. while USCIS processes your change of status request, you will need to apply for a new nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Can I bring food into the United States for personal use?

It depends. Generally, you may not bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling.  Restrictions are placed on these products to protect community health, preserve the environment and prevent the introduction of devastating diseases to domestic plants and animals.

Failure to declare food products can result in up to US$10,000 in fines and penalties.  If you wish to check to see if a food product you wish to bring is acceptable or for further information, please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Department of Agriculture webpages.

I did not turn in my I-94 when I departed the United States, what should I do?

If you returned home with your Form I-94 (white) or I-94W (green) in your passport, it is possible that your departure was not recorded properly.

Please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection webpage for the necessary action to correct your departure record.

My visa will expire while I am in the United States, what should I do?

If the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Officer at the port-of-entry admitted you into the United States for a specific period of time, your authorized period of stay will be noted on your I-94 card.  You will be able to remain in the United States during your authorized period of stay, even if your visa expires during the time you are in the United States.

I will be temporarily assigned to the United States with my family and I want to bring my domestic helper with us, what should I do?

Your domestic helper will also need a visa, usually a derivative of yours. In addition to the Standard Visa Application Procedures, the following additional information must also be submitted:

1. The original employment contract (see sample contract) signed by the employer and the employee. This contract must stipulate, but need not be limited to –
   • A description of the employee's work duties;
   • The number of hours to be worked by the employee per week;
   • The rate of pay (this must at least equal the State or Federal minimum/prevailing wage, whichever is greater, for every hour worked.  Check the rates at U.S. Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Division;
   • The rate of overtime pay (State law governing overtime rates can be checked at U.S. Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Division;
2. Employer's proof of ability to pay the employee's wages while in the United States.
3. Documents signifying employer's status or temporary stay in the United States.

I received an email notification informing me of my winning Diversity Visa (Green Card) entry and was asked to pay the processing fee, what should I do?

The Department of State does not email notification to Diversity Visa (DV) applicants informing them of their winning entries. No other organization or private company is authorized to notify DV applicants of their winning entries, or the next steps in the process.

Impostors frequently contact DV applicants to extract money or personal information through websites, emails, and letters. Entrants should only refer to the online status check on Electronic Diversity Visa website or instructions on Department of State website for official information about the DV process.

For more information about Diversity Visas, review the Department of State, Diversity Visa Program webpage.

My visa expires in 5 years, what does this mean?

A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the United States, but the expiration date of the visa (validity period the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States.

Persons holding visas valid for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the U.S., for travel of the same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S. at the port of entry.

I have an indefinite validity visa (Burroughs Visa); are they still valid?

Indefinite validity visas (Burroughs Visas) are tourist/business visas manually stamped into a traveler’s passport which was valid for ten years. Effective April 1, 2004, all indefinite validity Burroughs visas became void. Therefore, if you have an indefinite validity visa, you must apply for a new visa for travel to the United States.

I am a U.S. citizen, I want to bring my family member to live in the United States, and can I file the Immigrant Visa here at U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan?

Effective August 15, 2011, petitioners residing overseas will no longer able to routinely file Forms I-130, Petitions for Alien Relative, with U.S. Embassies and Consulates except in locations where U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a public counter present within the Embassy or Consulate.  Petitioners residing overseas in countries where USCIS does not have a public counter present such as Brunei will be required to file their Forms I-130 by mail with the USCIS Chicago lockbox. U.S. Embassies and Consulates that do not have a USCIS presence will only be able to accept and process Forms I-130 in exceptional circumstances as authorized for the petitioners by USCIS.

For more information, please review the Filing Immigrant Petitions Outside the United States website.

I am a U.S. citizen, how do I obtain a Brunei Police Certificate of Good Conduct to continue the process of my fiancé petition?

In accordance to issuing a Certificate of Good Conduct, the Royal Brunei Police Force seeks the applicants to undertake the following:

1. Write a letter address to Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force indicating the purpose of the application (see sample letter)
2. Attach a copy of your:
   • Current passport or traveling documents
   • Brunei Darussalam's Identity Card
3. Provide your contact numbers to the Royal Brunei Police Force to allow ease of communication

For every individual seeking a Certificate of Good Conduct, a payment of B$50.00 is payable to the Government of Brunei, at Finance Division, 2nd Floor, Royal Brunei Police Force Headquarters at Gadong. Payments can be made on:

Monday to Thursday: 8am - 11:30am / 2pm - 3pm
Saturday: 8am - 11:30am

Overseas applicants can mail or fax the Letter of Application for Certificate of Good Conduct together with the requried documents and the copy of the payment receipt (as proof of payment) to the Royal Brunei Police Force's fax number at (673) 223-2008.

The Certificate of Good Conduct will take approximately 2 weeks to process. 2 copies of the certificate will be provide and address to "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN".

The Royal Brunei Police Force wishes to informed the overseas applicants that collection of the certificate can be arrange through their relatives or any of the courier company at the address mentioned below when ready:

The Administration
Criminal Investigation Department
11th Floor, Block 2C
Jalan Ong Sum Ping
Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei Darussalam

For further questions, please contact Mr. Roslan Jamaluddin or Mr. Nasrul of the Royal Brunei Police Force directly at (673) 223-2001 / 2002 / 2004 / 2007 ext 221 / 223.

My name is mistakenly on a lookout list or watch list and I have trouble at the port of entry when I travel to the United States.

On occasion, we receive complaints from foreign travelers about their treatment at ports of entry as the result of lookouts, some of which also generate Transportation Security Administration (TSA) "no fly" alerts.  Passengers may be delayed or denied boarding, miss flights, be sent to secondary screening, or even detained until these are resolved. With the frequency of name duplication, the problem is likely to continue.  The Embassy and the Department of State have neither the authority nor the resources to intervene. However, the Department of Homeland Security has a redress process for reviewing the request of an individual traveler to be clearly identified as not the target of the lookout.  Travelers can request an audit of their case by completing and signing the redress request form located on DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) website and follows the website instructions for submitting it to DHS.