Lilshira
Oman and Brunei sign visa‑free agreement for diplomatic, official, service passports
Oman and Brunei have signed a joint statement establishing mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, private, service and official passports. The agreement takes effect as soon as the two governments complete their internal procedures, and it applies to eligible passport holders from both countries.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Visa‑free entry for diplomatic, private, service and official passport holders between Oman and Brunei
- Timing
- Effective once both governments finalize implementation
- Who is affected
- Holders of diplomatic, private, service or official passports from Oman or Brunei
The details
- Announced by
- Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Previous rule
- Previously, Omani and Bruneian citizens holding diplomatic, private, service or official passports were required to obtain a visa before travel.
- New rule
- The new agreement removes the visa requirement for those passport categories, allowing direct entry without prior application.
Signing of the joint statement
The agreement was signed in Muscat at the Noor Al‑Iman Palace by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, together with senior ministers from both sides. The ceremony marked the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
Scope of the visa exemption
The mutual waiver covers holders of diplomatic, private, service and official passports issued by either country. Travelers with these documents can now enter the partner state without applying for a visa in advance.
- Applies to all categories listed in the agreement
- Does not extend to ordinary tourist passports
Implementation and next steps
Both governments will coordinate to update immigration systems and inform relevant authorities. No specific date was announced; the exemption will become operational after internal procedures are completed.
The agreement also includes memoranda of understanding on cooperation in health, economics, agriculture and human‑resource development.
- Travel agencies will be notified once the system is live
- Embassies will provide guidance on passport eligibility
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Eligible passport holders can book flights to Oman or Brunei without factoring visa processing time.
- Existing travel itineraries remain unchanged; no visa cancellations are required.
Cost and documents
- Visa fees are eliminated for the covered passport categories.
- Travelers must still present a valid diplomatic, private, service or official passport at entry.
What you need to do
- Verify that the passport type matches one of the exempt categories before travel.
- Check passport validity for the required period as per standard entry rules.
- Monitor announcements from the Omani and Bruneian immigration authorities for the exact start date.
Who this affects
-
Omani diplomatic passport holders
The agreement grants visa‑free entry for Omani diplomatic passports into Brunei.
What to do Travel with a valid diplomatic passport; no visa application needed.
-
Omani official, service and private passport holders
These passport categories are included in the mutual exemption.
What to do Present the eligible passport at Brunei entry; no prior visa required.
-
Bruneian diplomatic passport holders
The agreement provides visa‑free access to Oman for Bruneian diplomatic passports.
What to do Travel with a valid diplomatic passport; no visa needed.
-
Bruneian official, service and private passport holders
These passport types are covered by the new visa waiver.
What to do Enter Oman with the eligible passport; no visa application necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to travel from Oman to Brunei with a diplomatic passport?
No, the new agreement removes the visa requirement for Omani diplomatic passport holders traveling to Brunei. Entry is permitted without a prior visa once the agreement is in force.
Which Omani passports are covered by the visa exemption with Brunei?
The exemption applies to diplomatic, private, service and official passports issued by Oman. Ordinary tourist passports are not included.
When will the visa‑free travel start between Oman and Brunei?
The exact start date has not been announced; the exemption becomes effective after both governments complete their internal implementation procedures.
Will there be any fees for entering Brunei with an Omani official passport?
No, the agreement eliminates visa fees for the listed passport categories, so holders of Omani official, service, private or diplomatic passports will not pay a visa charge.
Do I need to apply for any new documents to travel under the new agreement?
No additional documents are required beyond a valid passport of the eligible type. Travelers should ensure their passport meets the standard validity requirements for entry.
