Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

What is a non-immigrant visa?

Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to go to the U.S. on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.

U.S. law requires in most cases that people who apply for nonimmigrant visas provide evidence that they don’t intend to immigrate to the United States. It’s up to consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates to determine eligibility on an individual basis on the merits of each case.

At the United States port of entry, an immigration officer will make the final determination as to whether the visa holder will be permitted to enter into the United States. If permitted to enter, the visa holder's passport will be stamped with the approved length of stay.

I'm a Bruneian citizen.  Do I need a non-immigrant visa?

Brunei participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  That means that citizens of Brunei may travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa or coming to the Embassy.  Bruneians require visas for other kinds of travel (study, employment, exchanges, etc.).   Many non-Bruneians, including permanent residents of Brunei, require visas for all travel to the United States.  If in doubt, please check with the Embassy. 

The State Department website provides details on the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program, including passport requirements.

How do I apply for a non-immigrant visa?

Prior to coming to the Embassy for interview, you will need to fill out application forms, collect certain documents, and have photographs made (see documentation page).  On the day of your application, you should bring these items and a valid passport to the Embassy.  An officer will interview you.  During the interview, the officer will take an electronic scan of your fingerprints.  The application process generally takes about two to three hours.

Interviews are conducted only on Fridays.  Applicants must arrive at the Embassy before 9:00am.

In certain emergency cases, or for students or business travelers who need to travel immediately, the Embassy may process exceptional cases Monday through Thursday.  Applicants with an urgent need to travel should contact the Consular Section at  consularbrunei@state.gov.  Whatever the reasons for travel, applicants must meet all other requirements.  

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What are the fees for a visa application?

There are two different fees for a visa application:
-A non-refundable application fee of B$197 or US$131.
-An issuance fee depending on your nationality (the issuance fee is paid only if your visa is approved).

There are no issuance fees for tourist/business (B1/B2) or student (F1) visas for Singaporeans, Chinese, Indonesians, Malaysians, or Filipinos.  For other nationalities and additional details, see the State Department Website.

How long will it take to get my visa?

In most cases when the visa is approved, you can pick up your passport at 4:00pm on the next business day.

In some cases, additional processing will be required, and the process can take longer, sometimes as much as 30 days or more.  Applicants should apply early to avoid delays in travel.

For additional information: Brunei Consular Sheet Information