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Visa policy of Timor-Leste

Visitors to Timor-Leste must obtain a visa, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.

All other countries that are not exempt must obtain a visa upon arrival or prior to arrival.

In April 2019, the Interior Minister adopted an Order number 470 to be applied from 1 May 2019, requiring all non-visa-exempt visitors to obtain a visa from one of the Timor-Leste diplomatic missions before arrival. However, this decision was subsequently suspended.

Visa policy map

Visa exemption

Citizens of the following countries and territories may enter Timor-Leste without a visa for stays up to the duration listed:

  • Citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Cuba, Mainland China and Philippines holding a diplomatic, official or service passport may enter Timor-Leste without a valid visa for up to 30 days.
  • Citizens of mainland China holding a passport endorsed for “public affairs” may enter Timor-Leste without a valid visa for up to 30 days.
  • Timor-Leste has signed visa-waiver agreements with Angola and Vietnam (for diplomatic passport holders). However, these visa-waiver agreements have yet to enter into force.
  • In addition, all holders of a United Nations Passport or Interpol Passport may enter Timor-Leste without a valid visa for up to 90 days.

Land border arrivals

Visitors and long-term visa holders are able to enter (and exit) Timor-Leste through the land border in Batugade. This includes Visas on Arrival, which are USD30 per person and valid for 30 days (extendable one time in-country). Batugade is accessible by air through the airport in Atambua or by land with buses from other destinations in West Timor, such as Kupang. Visitors who are exempt from a visa (such as citizens from a Schengen country) do not need a visa at any land border crossing.

Visa on arrival

Citizens of all other countries which are not visa-exempt may apply for a visa on arrival at the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport or at the Dili Sea Port. If other conditions are met a single entry visa valid for up to 30 days is granted for fee of USD30. Transit visas are available for stays less than 3 days for fee of USD20. There is no visa-free transit option.

Prior application

A visa application may be submitted at one of the Timor-Leste diplomatic missions prior to arrival.

Requirements on arrival

Aside from holding a passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of entry all travellers also must meet strict conditions to be allowed entry to Timor-Leste:

  • Intention of a genuine visit (as tourist or business trip).
  • Accommodation arrangements and a return or onward ticket.
  • US$150 per day expected to remain in the country (for tourist or business visas).
  • US$100 plus US$50 per day (for transit visas).

Visa extension

All nationals with a visa may extend their stay to a total cumulative stay of 90 days by submitting their application to the Immigration Department. The fees are US$35 for a 30-day extension, or US$75 for an extension between 30 and 60 days.

Statistics

Most visitors arriving to Timor-Leste by air were from the following countries of nationality:

See also

References