To enter in national territory all travellers must present themselves for immigration clearance at an official point of entry into Timor-Leste.
Foreigners must also satisfy the following basic requirements before they can be considered for entry:
- Must hold a valid travel document (Passport, Laissez Passer, Seaman Passport or others) that is valid for at least six months;
- Must be of good character and health;
- Must not have any outstanding fines under the Law on Migration & Asylum;
- Must hold a valid visa, permit, authorization, or be eligible for a visa on arrival or entry via a visa exemption;
- Have access to funds and accommodation sufficient for sustenance whilst in the country, regardless of the visa, permit, or visa exemption used to enter. In the case of entrants on a Tourist, Transit, or Business Class 1 visa, unless sponsored by family or other contact in the country, the funds required are
- US$100 for each entry, and
- US$50 for each day’s stay in the country.
See also: At the Border.
Travellers of all nationalities, except for nationalities subject to separate a Visa waiver (exemption) arrangements, may apply for, and if they satisfy the criteria for grant, obtain a Tourist Visa on arrival. Tourist Visas on arrival are valid for 30 days stay, and can be extended once with same period. They allow single entry except where the applicant demonstrates they are travelling to Oecusse-Ambeno, in which multiple entries may be authorised.
See: Tourist Visa
See: Visa Exemptions
See: Contact Us
All foreigners seeking to enter Timor Leste are required to have a travel document (Passport, Laissez Passer, Seaman Passport) which is valid for more than six months on the date of entry, except in cases of re-entry of a resident or or holder of a special stay authorization or long-stay visa, and only if there are a diplomatic representation of the country of his nationality accredited in Timor-Leste, that is able to issue a new travel document.
If eligible, apply for an extension at the headquarters of the Migration Service in Vila Verde, Dili.
Don’t wait until your current visa expires. Apply at least 15 days before the expiry date, with a complete and signed application form, attaching all the required documents.
See: Contact Us
See: Visas and Permits
No. The Tourist visa is for tourism, and those who enter on a visa exemption for tourism have a similar stay condition. This form of entry and stay does not permit work as an employee. Those wishing to visit Timor Leste on business (e.g., to explore business opportunities, conduct negotiations etc.), may enter and stay for this purpose on a Business Visa Class I or Class II. Persons wishing to work in Timor Leste should apply for the appropriate Work Visa or Visa to establish residence to perform professional activities or a Special Stay Authorization.
See: Visas and Permits
Diplomats and United Nations staff officially accredited to Timor-Leste are exempted from the requirement to hold a visa on their first arrival and upon issuance of their Diplomatc Identity Card after arrival, they are further exempted from the requirement to obtain any visa or resident permit for the duration of their accredited stay.
All holders of a United Nations Laissez-Passer (UNLP) or INTERPOL Travel Document (ITD) may enter Timor-Leste without a valid visa for up to 90 days. Note that those who are not officially accredited with the Diplomatic Identity card after arrival must obtain the relevant Special Stay Authorization or other appropriate visa if they wish to stay beyond this period.
Yes. You should contact us immediately to regularize your status as soon as possible, or depart the country immediately. Do not let the situation wait longer than necessary. Article 141 of the Law on Migration and Asylum (11/2017) provides the following fines per person for those who have overstayed their visa in Timor-Leste:
- US$ 150 to US$ 230, if the overstay period does not exceed 30 days;
- US$ 230 to US$ 350, if the overstay period exceeds 30 days, but is less than 90 days;
- US$ 350 to US$ 580, if the overstay period exceeds 90 days.
In accordance with Article 150 of the Law on Migration and Asylum (11/2017), overstayers will be issued a fine notice, which allows them to pay the minimum amount or appeal the fine within 10 calendar days.
Important Note :
Fines notices may be issued upon departure from the country, although having overstayed will not prevent departure.
Re-entry to the country, visa extensions or further visa grants cannot be authorized without proof of payment of any applicable fine for overstay.
See: Contact Us
See: Irregular Migration.
No. According to the terms of a bilateral agreement between Timor-Leste and the European Union, Schengen area nationals of good health and character who present a Schengen Member State passport on arrival and who seek to enter for tourism are exempted from having to obtain Tourist visa on arrival.
You may stay for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period.
The stay period may be extended up to a further 90 days after arrival on application to the Migration Service, where that further stay is justified on exceptional grounds.
Note: This does not apply to citizens of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
See: Visa Exemptions
No. Your dependent/s should apply for a Temporary Stay Visa. The validity of the temporary stay visa of your dependant is the same as the validity of your Special Stay Authorization.
See: Temporary Stay Visa.
If they are located in the national territory, you should apply for family reunification pursuant to Article 70(1)(a) and and Article 59(c) of the Law on Migration & Asylum (11/2017), which provides that the spouse of a national citizen may be granted a Temporary Resident permit.