Do I need a visa for TIMOR-LESTE (EAST TIMOR)?

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. A single-entry visa on arrival is valid for up to 30 days and costs USD 30.

In April 2019, the Interior Minister issued Order 470 requiring all non-exempt visitors to obtain a visa from a Timor-Leste diplomatic mission before arrival, but this decision was subsequently suspended. The visa-on-arrival policy remains in place.

Table of Contents

2. Visa Exemptions

2.1 — 90 Days within any 180 Days

90 Days within any 180 Days • All European Union member states (except Ireland) • Iceland • Liechtenstein • Norway • Switzerland

2.2 — 30 Days

30 Days • Cape Verde • Indonesia • Laos • Malaysia • Singapore • Thailand

3. Non-Ordinary Passports

Brunei, Cambodia, Cuba, Mainland China, Philippines — diplomatic, official or service passports: up to 30 days.
Mainland China — ‘public affairs’ passport: up to 30 days.
UN Passport or Interpol Passport holders: up to 90 days without a visa.

Timor-Leste has signed visa-waiver agreements with Angola and Vietnam (diplomatic passport holders), but these have not yet entered into force.

4. Visa on Arrival

Citizens of all non-exempt countries may apply for a visa on arrival at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (Dili) or at the Dili Sea Port. Conditions:

Single-entry visa — valid up to 30 days — fee: USD 30
Transit visa — stays less than 3 days — fee: USD 20 (no visa-free transit option)
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry

5. Requirements on Arrival

Genuine intention of visit (tourism or business)
Accommodation arrangements and a return or onward ticket
USD 150 per day (tourist/business visas)
USD 100 plus USD 50 per day (transit visas)

6. Land Border Arrivals

Visitors may enter and exit through the land border at Batugade. Visas on arrival (USD 30, valid 30 days) are available at Batugade. Visa-exempt visitors (e.g. Schengen citizens) do not need a visa at any land border crossing. Batugade is accessible by air through Atambua airport or by land from Kupang, West Timor.

7. Prior Application

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

8. Visa Extension

All nationals with a visa may extend their stay to a total cumulative stay of 90 days by applying to the Immigration Department:

30-day extension: USD 35
Extension between 30 and 60 days: USD 75

9. Visitor Statistics

Most visitors arriving to Timor-Leste by air were from the following countries (2011–2014):

Country	2014	2013	2012	2011
Indonesia	15,180	17,520	15,303	11,179
Australia	13,429	12,817	12,138	12,419
Portugal	6,185	5,894	6,130	5,916
Philippines	4,157	3,936	3,842	2,413
China	3,717	4,346	4,972	3,464
United States	1,666	2,130	2,211	2,207
Total	59,811	77,135	57,517	50,590