Visa policy of Timor-Leste
Policy on permits required to enter Timor-Leste
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[1]
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.[2][3]
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:
|
90 days within any 180 days
30 days |
| Date of visa changes |
|---|
|
- 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.[15]
- 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.[26][27][28][29]
- 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.[30]
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.[30]
Statistics
Most visitors arriving to Timor-Leste by air were from the following countries of nationality:[31]
| Rank | Country | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Indonesia | 15,180 | 17,520 | 15,303 | 11,179 |
| 2 |  Australia | 13,429 | 12,817 | 12,138 | 12,419 |
| 3 |  Portugal | 6,185 | 5,894 | 6,130 | 5,916 |
| 4 |  Philippines | 4,157 | 3,936 | 3,842 | 2,413 |
| 5 |  China | 3,717 | 4,346 | 4,972 | 3,464 |
| 6 |  United States | 1,666 | 2,130 | 2,211 | 2,207 |
| 7 |  Malaysia | 1,665 | 1,455 | 1,944 | 1,829 |
| 8 |  Singapore | 1,465 | 1,457 | 1,381 | 1,519 |
| 9 |  Japan | 1,458 | 1,438 | 1,211 | 1,232 |
| 10 |  New Zealand | 896 | 737 | 815 | 711 |
| Total | 59,811 | 77,135 | 57,517 | 50,590 |
See also
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