Brunei and Oman Sign Visa Exemption Deal for Official Passport Holders

Brunei and Oman have signed an agreement to waive visa requirements for travellers holding diplomatic, special, service and official passports. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei oversaw the signing during a meeting on 3 November 2026 at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan.

The two rulers also signed a joint declaration raising bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership.

Key facts

• What was signed: a mutual visa exemption agreement for diplomatic, special, service and official passport holders
• Who signed it: Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei
• Where: Istana Nurul Iman, Bandar Seri Begawan
• When: 3 November 2026
• Start date for the exemption: not announced in the source
• Also agreed: a joint declaration on a strategic partnership and memorandums of understanding on labour, health, planning, agriculture and fisheries

What is changing for travellers?

The two countries agreed on mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports. These are government-issued passport categories rather than ordinary tourist or business passports, so the exemption does not apply to standard passports.

The source does not say when the exemption takes effect, how long visa-free stays may last, or what passport validity or supporting documents will be required. No fee information is given.

Who met, and why?

The meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan marked the first visit by a sultan of Oman to Brunei Darussalam, Sultan Hassanal said. He described the visit as a symbol of a friendship spanning more than four decades, noting that Oman was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Brunei after the restoration of its full independence.

Sultan Haitham said Oman is committed to increasing its non-oil revenues and sees Brunei as a strategic gateway to broader Asian markets. He added that Brunei can benefit from Oman's position as a hub connecting the Gulf, the Middle East and Africa.

What else was agreed?

The leaders and their delegations discussed expanding cooperation in energy, manufacturing, mining, petrochemicals, food security and aquaculture, the Oman News Agency reported.

Officials also signed several memorandums of understanding covering the development of labour and human resources, healthcare cooperation, the economy and strategic planning, and agriculture and fisheries.

What this means for travellers

Only holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports are covered by the visa exemption agreement. Ordinary passport holders are not mentioned in the deal described in the source, so they should continue to check Brunei's and Oman's current visa requirements before travelling.

Because no entry-into-force date has been announced, travellers with the covered passport categories should verify whether the exemption is already in operation before making plans.

No further details on implementation have been announced, and the source does not say when any start date will be published.