Timor-Leste (or East Timor) offers a 90-day visa exemption to EU, Schengen and Indonesian nationals. Most nationals can get a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA). A Timor-Leste visa is only required if crossing the border overland.
Key Takeaways
- EU, Schengen and Indonesian nationals do not require a visa to travel to Timor-Leste.
- All nationalities can obtain Visa on Arrival at Dili International Airport or Dili Seaport.
- A tourist visa is only required if entering Timor-Leste overland at a land border post.
- A tourist visa application can be lodged either online or at a diplomatic mission of Timor-Leste abroad.
Table of Contents
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Visa Requirements
Passport validity required for entering Timor-Leste
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the day of entry into Timor-Leste.
Who needs a visa for Timor-Leste?
The following countries do not require a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
The following countries do not require a visa for 30 days if arriving by air:
- Indonesia
All other nationalities can obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA) valid for 30 days.
Return or onward ticket out of Timor-Leste
If you are using Visa on Arrival, you must produce a proof of return or onward ticket out of Timor-Leste. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, you can obtain one from an onward ticket provider.
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Visa Types
There are 3 main ways to enter Timor-Leste as a tourist.
- Visa Exemption: EU, Schengen and Indonesian nationals do not require a visa to enter Timor-Leste.
- Visa on Arrival: All nationalities can obtain Visa on Arrival at Dili International Airport or Dili Seaport.
- Tourist Visa: A tourist visa is only required if planning to enter Timor-Leste overland at one of the land border checkpoints.
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Visa Exemption
Visa exemption arrangements are available to nationals of the European Union and Schengen region. These nationals can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Nationals of Indonesia also do not need visas to visit Timor-Leste if arriving by air. Indonesians can stay up to 30 days in Timor-Leste.
All other nationalities can obtain a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Dili International Airport or Dili Seaport.
Only Indonesian passport holders are allowed to obtain VOA at land border checkpoints. All other visa-required nationals must obtain a tourist visa from the embassy to enter Timor-Leste at land border checkpoints.
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Visa on Arrival
Except for EU, Schengen and Indonesian (if arriving by air) nationals, all other nationals are required to obtain Visa on Arrival to enter Timor-Leste. A Visa on Arrival is required for any tourist or business trip to Timor-Leste.
Where can you obtain Visa on Arrival?
All tourists can obtain a 30-day Visa on Arrival at the following ports.
- Dili International Airport
- Dili Sea Port
To obtain VOA at the land border crossings, you must obtain a prior “Visa Application Authorization” that must be presented to the immigration official at the border. Indonesian nationals do not require this “Visa Application Authorization” to obtain VOA at land border crossings.
This “Visa Application Authorization” is not required if obtaining VOA at Dili International Airport or Dili Sea Port.
How much does Visa on Arrival cost?
The fee for a 30-day, single-entry Visa on Arrival is $30, payable in USD.
What documents do you need for Visa on Arrival?
To obtain Visa on Arrival, you must present the following documentation.
- Passport valid for 6 months on the day of entry (must have at least one blank page for the VOA)
- Completed arrival card (available at the airport, seaport and land border post)
- 30 USD in cash (there may not be ATMs or current exchanges)
Apart from the above mandatory documents, immigration officials may also ask for the following supporting documents.
- Proof of return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation bookings
- Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay ($100 for each entry and $50 for each day of stay)
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Tourist Visa from the Embassy
Tourist visas called “Visa Application Authorization” are issued by the diplomatic missions of Timor-Leste to those who need a visa to enter Timor-Leste by land.
Who needs an East-Timor tourist visa?
You would need a Timor-Leste visa if you do not hold an EU, Schengen or Indianonesia passport and you plan to enter Timor-Leste overland at one of the land border checkposts.
Keep in mind that all nationalities entering Timor-Leste at Dili International Airport or Dili Seaport do not require a tourist visa. You can simply obtain Visa on Arrival.
If you hold an Indonesian passport, you are allowed to obtain Visa on Arrival at land border checkposts as well.
A tourist visa called “Visa Application Authorization” can be obtained either online or at one of the embassies or consulates of Timor-Leste abroad.
After receiving the “Visa Application Authorization”, you can present this to the immigration official at the land border checkpost to obtain a visa for 90 days by paying a 30 USD fee.
What is the duration of a Timor-Leste tourist visa?
Tourist visas obtained at Timor-Leste diplomatic missions are valid for up to 90 days. These tourist visas can be single-entry or multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days.
How to apply for Visa Application Authorization online?
Documents required
- A completed and scanned application form (can be downloaded here)
- A scan of your passport ID page
- Proof of departure (by air, land or sea)
- Latest bank statement
Download and fill out the form using Adobe Acrobat PDF reader. Then print the completed form. Stick a passport-size photo and sign the form. Scan this completed and signed form.
Email this completed and signed form along with the above documentation to the contact details found here.
Processing time
Tourist visa when applying online takes 10 working days to process. Once your application is successful, you will receive a “Visa Application Authorization” in your email. You must print and present this authorization at the land border post to obtain your visa on arrival.
How to apply for Visa Application Authorization at a diplomatic mission abroad
Documents required
- Original passport
- A completed visa application form (can be found on the embassy or consulate website)
- A passport-size photo
- A copy of your passport ID page
- A copy of your proof of departure (by air, land or sea)
- A copy of your latest bank statement
Print and fill out the application form. Stick a passport-size photo and sign the form. Submit your documents in person at your nearest embassy or consulate of Timor-Leste.
Processing time
Tourist visa applications submitted at the Timor-Leste diplomatic missions can also take about 10 working days to process. Once your application is successful, you will receive a “Visa Application Authorization” in your email. You must print and present this authorization at the land border checkpost to obtain your visa on arrival.
What is the cost of a Timor-Leste tourist visa?
There is no cost to apply for a Timor-Lest tourist visa online or at the diplomatic mission. You will simply receive a “Visa Application Authorization” using which you can obtain VOA at a land border post. There is a fee of 30 USD fee to obtain the VOA at the land border checkpost.
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Transit Visa
A transit visa is required if transiting through Timor-Leste, even for airside transit. Transit visas can be applied at the diplomatic missions of Timor-Leste abroad. Below are some key details:
- Duration: Transit visas valid for 72 hours (3 days), double-entry
- Fee: 20 USD
- Documents required:
- Passport valid for 6 months from the planned arrival date (must contain at least one blank page).
- Proof of onward ticket to the next destination
- Proof of financial means
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Visa Extension
A tourist visa from the embassy or a Visa on Arrival can be extended once for 30-60 days.
You can submit an application for an extension at the Immigration Service in Dili before your current visa expires.
The following is the fee for visa extension.
| Extension Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| 30-day visa extension | 35 USD |
| 30-60 day visa extension | 75 USD |
Once the application is submitted, it can take 8-10 days for approval. Keep in mind that you can only extend your visa once and the total cumulative period of stay cannot exceed 90 days.
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Visa Overstay
If you have overstayed your visa, you must immediately contact the Immigration Service in Dili to fix your visa status. As per Article 116 of the Migration and Asylum Law of 2003, overstays are subject to the following fines.
| Overstay period | Fine |
|---|---|
| Less than 30 days | 70-150 USD |
| 30 to 90 days | 150-270 USD |
| Greater than 90 days | 270-500 USD |
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Summary
Timor-Leste (or East Timor) offers visa exemption to EU, Schengen and Indonesian nationals. Others can get a Visa on Arrival at the airport or seaport. Those planning to cross the land border to enter Timor-Leste must obtain a tourist visa before the trip from a diplomatic mission of Timor-Leste.
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