Foreign travel advice

Timor-Leste

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Timor-Leste set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Timor-Leste Embassy in the UK.  

Passport validity requirements

To enter Timor-Leste, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Timor-Leste for tourism.  

You will be issued a single-entry, 30-day tourism visa when you arrive at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, or Dili seaport. The visa costs 30 US dollars, payable in cash.

Travelling to Oecussi overland

If you plan to travel overland, rather than by ferry, to the exclave of Oecussi you’ll need to apply for an additional visa. You must show your round-trip ticket and complete the required forms at your nearest Timor-Leste embassy or consulate, or at the Office of the Ministry of the Interior in Dili, before you travel.

Entering from the Atambua-Batugade border crossing

If you’re entering Timor-Leste through Indonesia at the Atambua-Batugade border crossing, you’ll need to get a tourism visa in advance from a Timor-Leste embassy or consulate in either Denpasar or Kupang. These visas are usually single-entry and last for 30 days.

See travel advice for Indonesia for more information.

Extending your tourism visa

You can apply to extend a tourism visa for 30 days.  

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Timor-Leste guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Timor-Leste. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Timor-Leste

If you’re planning on bringing cash or travellers cheques worth 20,000 US dollars or more you must get authorisation from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste before you arrive.