Brunei visa photos issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Brunei visa applications are reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Brunei Darussalam together with the Department of Immigration and National Registration. The MFA does not operate an e-visa portal for foreign applicants, and visa intake is not outsourced to VFS Global or any other commercial visa application centre. Applicants submit a printed photograph attached to the BF-12 visa application form directly to a Bruneian embassy or high commission, either in person or by post.
The MFA publishes the visa photograph rule as a recent passport-sized colour photograph on a plain white background, with the face clearly visible from chin to crown. Each mission accepts the host country’s standard passport-photo size, so applications sent to Commonwealth, EU, and ASEAN missions use the 45×35 mm format, while submissions to the Brunei Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Permanent Mission in New York use the US 51×51 mm (2×2 in) format. The Tokyo embassy also accepts a 40×30 mm alternative.
Consular officers reject applications outright when the photograph does not match the receiving mission’s format, when the background is not plain white, or when the applicant’s facial features are obscured. A rejected photo means the application is returned, the file is not opened, and the trip is delayed until a compliant photograph is supplied.
What the Brunei MFA expects to see in your visa photo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accepts a recent colour photograph that presents a true likeness of the applicant. The rules below cover what you must look like in the frame.
Expression & pose
- Face the cameraLook directly at the lens with your head and shoulders squared to the frame. The face must be centred and fully visible from chin to crown.
- Neutral expressionKeep a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or other exaggerated expressions are not accepted.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking straight at the camera. Red-eye is not permitted.
Eyewear & lenses
- No sunglasses or tinted lensesDark glasses and tinted lenses are prohibited. The eyes must be clearly visible in the final photo.
- Clear prescription glassesClear prescription spectacles are tolerated provided no glare or reflection obscures the eyes and the frames do not cover any part of the eye.
Headwear
- Religious head coveringsHijab, turban, and other religious or culturally required head coverings are permitted by the Brunei MFA. The covering must leave every facial feature from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead clearly visible.
- Non-religious hatsCaps, hats, and other non-religious headwear are not accepted.
Hair & face visibility
- Hair off the faceHair must not fall across the eyes or obscure the edges of the face. The full outline of the face from chin to crown must be visible.
Clothing
- Everyday clothingWear ordinary everyday clothing. Uniforms and camouflage patterns are not appropriate for a visa photograph.
Photo quality
- True likenessThe photograph must represent your current appearance. Any alteration that changes your facial features is not accepted.
- No shadows on the faceThe face must be evenly lit with no harsh shadows cast across the features by hats, hair, or strong overhead light.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 31 mm and 36 mm (roughly 70–80% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 25 mm and 30 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Both shoulders must be square to the camera and visible. Three-quarter angles or rotated torsos are not accepted.
- The full face from chin to crown must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
How recent the photo must be.
Your visa photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Other things to know.
A few quirks of the Brunei visa channel are worth flagging before you submit.
No e-visa portal
Brunei does not operate an e-visa system for foreign applicants. Applications are submitted in person or by post to a Bruneian embassy or high commission with a printed photograph attached to the BF-12 form. The online E-Arrival Card introduced in 2023 is a customs and health declaration and does not require a photo.
US missions use 2×2 inch prints
The Brunei Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Permanent Mission in New York accept the US 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) format instead of the 45×35 mm default used by London, Singapore, Bangkok, Dhaka, and Tokyo. Choose the size that matches the mission you are applying through.
Quantity varies by mission
Washington, London, Singapore, and Geneva ask for one print. Dhaka and Tokyo ask for two. Bangkok asks for three, with your name written on the back of each. New York employment applications require four. Preparing four identical prints satisfies the strictest mission.
Visa on Arrival needs no photo
Travellers eligible for Visa on Arrival at Brunei International Airport do not need to bring a printed photograph. Immigration officers capture biometrics live at the border desk.
Take your Brunei visa photo at home in three steps.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print-quality requirements for in-person submissions.
When you submit a printed photo at a visa application centre, the paper, finish, and ink all matter. The points below cover the standards most consular missions accept.
- Print on photographic-quality paper at 600 DPI minimum.
- Use a matte or semi-gloss finish; high-gloss can produce reflections that confuse biometric scanners.
- Do not retouch, crop, or alter the photo after printing.
- Bring at least two identical prints when the submission channel calls for paper photos.