Embassy of the United States Brunei, Darussalam

I am a frequent traveler; how many sets of visa pages can I add to my passport?

The Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends adding no more than two sets of visa page inserts to a passport. Beyond two additional sets the added thickness may result in damage to the binding of the book during its validity.

The fee for this service is US$82. If you wish to add visa pages to your passport, please make an appointment via U.S. Citizen Services Appointment System.

If you are a frequent traveler, please note that when you next apply for a new passport you may request a 52-page passport by checking the relevant box on the application.

Can I add visa pages to my new passport before I even receive it?

Yes, you may add visa pages to your new passport. Please review the Add Visa Pages to a Passport webpage on the Embassy website for instructions.

How soon will I receive my new passport?

Generally, it takes five to seven business days via courier service for your new passport to arrive from the passport agency in the United States. The Embassy will contact you via the email indicated on your application form to inform you that it has arrived and that you may now come to collect it.

I can't wait that long for my passport. Can I get one faster?

You may apply for an emergency passport. An emergency passport is a temporary passport, usually valid for 90 days. Emergency passports are most frequently issued to U.S. citizens abroad whose passports were stolen or lost. Depending on circumstances, some emergency passports may be valid only for a return trip to the U.S. Their validity cannot be extended.

The cost of a limited-validity emergency passport is the same as a full-validity passport. However, travelers, who are issued an emergency passport, are encouraged to apply for a full-validity passport once they return home. If the application is submitted within a year of issuance, then there is no fee to exchange it for a full validity passport.

Can I hold on to my current passport while my new one is processing?

Yes. If you need to keep your current passport while waiting for the new one to arrive from the United States, simply notify the Consular Section when you come to the Embassy to submit your application. The consular officer will hand back your current passport after initializing the processing for your new passport so that you may continue to use it while waiting for the new one. When you are notified that your new passport has arrived, however, you will need to bring in the current one to be cancelled before you can receive your new passport.

How can I get more information about required application forms, fees, and photos?

Detailed information may be found at Passport Photo Requirements, Passport Forms, and Passport Fees.

I want to renew my child’s passport. He/she is under 16 years old; what should I do?

Effective February 1, 2008, new regulations for passports for minors extend the two-parent consent and personal appearance requirements to all minors under the age of 16. Both parents must provide written consent. For detailed instructions, please see Passport for Minors Under 16.

Please make an appointment via U.S. Citizen Services Appointment System for this service.

What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen?

If your passport is lost or stolen, contact the Embassy consular section at (673) 238-4616 or ConsularBrunei@state.gov, as quickly as possible to report the loss. By doing so, you minimize the opportunity for someone else to use your passport for illicit purposes. It's also advisable to report the theft or loss to the Royal Brunei Police Force and obtain a copy of the report that they prepare.

Please make an appointment via U.S. Citizen Services Appointment System for this service.

Please refer to Lost or Stolen Passports webpage for more information to the appropriate forms, fees, and photo to bring to the Embassy.

Can Embassy consular employees serve as my witness on notarial service?

No, Embassy consular employees may not serve as a witness. If documents require the signatures of witnesses, the client is responsbile for ensuring that witnesses are present at the time of the service.

How do I apply for a Social Security number and benefits?

To apply for a social security number, the application must include the following:

• A completed SS-5: Application for a Social Security Card
• Proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a U.S. passport or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
• or the social security benefits application, please refer to the Social Security Administration website for more information.

How can I receive updated information during a crisis?

We encourage all U.S. citizens traveling abroad, especially citizens who plan to be overseas for a significant amount of time, to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It is important that your keep your contact information up-to-date so that we can notify you or your designated emergency contact of developments and provide valuable information. You may either register through the above link or in person at the Embassy Consular Section.

Also be sure to monitor the State Department's website, http://travel.state.gov, for updates, as this is our primary tool to disseminate important information during a crisis. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are also good sources of information. Rest assured that in case of a crisis, we will make use of all available modes of communication to keep our citizens informed, including the internet, social media, TV, and radio.

More information about what the State Department can and cannot do in a crisis may be found at Emergencies and Crises.

You can contact the Consular Section from 7:45am to 4:30pm at (673) 238-4616 or ConsularBrunei@state.gov. If you require emergency assistance after hours, please contact the Embassy duty officer at (673) 873-0691.

I want to go to a foreign country and need to apply for that country’s visa; can I apply for that here at the U.S. Embassy, Bandar Seri Begawan?

U.S. Embassies and Consulates only issue U.S. visas for travel to the U.S. If you plan to travel to a country that requires a visa, please contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the country you are visiting. Quite a few are located in Bandar Seri Begawan, and their contact information can be found at Telekom Brunei’s telephone directory (yellow pages) or from your travel planner.