A Guide to Your Timor-Leste Visa Requirements

Updated: on 27 March 2024

East Timor, or Timor-Leste in Portuguese, is a tiny nation in Southeast Asia surrounded by stunning coral reefs, packed with indigenous culture, and this must visit Asian destination welcomes visitors warmly with relatively relaxed Timor-Leste visa requirements. The newest nation in Asia, Timor-Leste is one of the last truly untouched destinations on the global travel map and it is a must-visit destination for those seeking an untouched and off the beaten path travel experience on an island blessed with verdant mountains, stunning diving and snorkeling locations, unspoilt nature, unique culture, incredible birdlife and beautiful beaches. For tourists, the current Timor-Leste entry requirements mean those wishing to visit the island nation are permitted to do so for a period of up to 30 days. A single-entry East Timor visa is available to anyone holding a passport, or other acceptable travel documentation, that is valid for a minimum of six months following the date of entry to the country. The passport should be undamaged and have at least two blank pages for stamps. A visa for Timor-Leste is typically issued on arrival in East Timor to those with a valid passport and completed arrival card.

Those who prefer to apply for their East Timor visa before flying to the country will still need to produce a valid passport along with evidence of confirmed accommodation for the duration of the stay, proof of adequate funds, and a valid ticket for travel out of the country before the expiration of the visa. Although the Timor-Leste visa is only valid for a maximum 30-day stay, visitors can apply for a one-time extension that will permit another 30 days on the island. Holders of a valid Timor-Leste visa on arrival are not permitted to engage in any other activity, such as employment or other professional activities, the visa is only valid for purposes of leisure travel and tourism. A visa application will cost visitors USD30 and an extension costs USD40. It is always a good idea to check with the airline that they accept passengers who are traveling without a visa for Timor Leste (when planning on taking a visa on arrival at Timor Leste) as well as any connecting flight requirements such as a transit visa.

More East Timor Visa Options from the Immigration Service of Timor-Leste

As well as the East Timor Visa on arrival option issued at land border crossings, Dili Sea Port, and Dili International Airport, foreigners are permitted to enter the country on a transit visa on the way to another country. The transit visa is valid for a maximum of 72 hours and allows the holder up to two entries. The cost of a transit visa for Timor-Leste is USD20. Visitors who wish to stay for a longer period than the Timor-Leste visa on arrival allows, might be interested in applying for a work visa which would allow a stay in the territory for up to a year. This type of visa for Timor-Leste allows the holder to work as an employee of a company in East Timor as well as undertake voluntary employment. It is a good idea to start the work visa application process at least a month in advance of your date of travel and this multiple entry option costs USD100.

Foreigners looking to develop business interests in East Timor will require a business visa before landing at Dili International Airport. A class 1 business visa is a multi-entry Timor-Leste visa that is valid for up to 60 days. The application costs USD100 and an extension will cost a further USD150. The class 2 business visa is also a multi-entry visa which is initially valid for up to six months but can be extended for a period of two years. The initial application costs USD150 and the extension also costs USD150. The type of business visa required depends on factors such as the commercial activity, type of investment, and legal considerations and those interested in applying for this type of visa for Timor-Leste should contact the Immigration Service of Timor-Leste or a diplomatic mission or consular office in their home country for more detailed information related to the intended business activity.

Stay Safe After Collecting Your Timor-Leste Visa on Arrival

If you are planning to discover everything Timor-Leste has to offer, here are some suggestions to make your island adventure plans run as smooth as possible after collecting your Timor-Leste visa on arrival. If you do need to apply for a Timor-Leste visa before you arrive in the country, do so as early as possible. It can take as long as four weeks for documentation to be processed depending on the visa required and the purpose of your visit. The East Timor authorities can be quite strict about visitors having access to sufficient funds to cover expenses. There are also penalties for overstaying the length of time your visa is valid. If you are in danger of an overstay, get in touch with the Immigration service as soon as possible. The charge for overstaying varies depending on how many days you are over. It is always a good idea to check a government website for the latest rules and regulations and Timor-Leste visa requirements as they may change without much warning: https://migracao.gov.tl/html/sub0101.php.

Although Timor-Leste is today a safe destination to travel to, it does have a history of revolution and political unrest. At times of political change tensions can arise among the locals, and political demonstrations and disputes between rival groups can happen, so it is a good idea to be aware and avoid political rallies and demonstrations when they occur. As to wildlife, it is a good idea to ask the locals about crocodiles, especially if you intend to spend time on the beaches or surfing. A simple rule is always to avoid any places that the locals tend to avoid. The best time to travel to Timor-Leste is after the wet season which lasts between November and April.

Always follow the advice of the locals and check trusted sites for news and weather updates before you travel. As experts in organizing travel to all corners of Asia, the Secret Retreats team is constantly monitoring the travel situation in countries including Timor-Leste. Our travel concierges have built ready-made travel itineraries to share the beauty of Asia with our travellers and are also always prepared and ready to help you plan and book tailor-made Timor Leste travel itineraries (and to wider Asia too) tailored to suit you and your travelling companions. Please contact us with any queries you may have about traveling to this incredible untouched nation including when to travel, where to stay, and what to see, and we look forward to Unveiling the Essence of Asia to you.