Tourism and Business Visa   

This is the most commonly issued visa for Timor Leste. It is usually applied for and decided on arrival at the border. Travellers do not need to obtain this visa prior to travelling at this time, but may do so if they wish from an Embassy or Consulate of Timor Leste if there is one in their home country.

Travellers should note that it is a requirement for the grant of this visa and subsequent entry to the country that they meet the criteria below on arrival.

Description

Common Visa Class I

The Common Visa Class I allows the holder to enter Timor-Leste for the purpose of tourism or business.

Criteria:

The applicant must:

• Demonstrate intention of a genuine visit (as tourist or business trip).
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to support him/her for period of proposed stay without breaching visa conditions.
• Demonstrate accommodation arrangements.
• Hold a return ticket, or show ability to fund own departure.

Applicants must also be assessed as being of good character and health before they will be granted the visa and/or permitted to enter Timor Leste.

Important Notice:

In order to demonstrate that a person has sufficient funds for stay in Timor Leste, each foreigner must have access to funds equivalent to:

• One hundred US dollars for each entry;
• Fifty US dollars for each day expected to remain in the country.

All foreigners seeking to enter Timor Leste on a temporary visa are required to have a valid national passport with an expiry date not less than  6 months from the date of entry into Timor Leste.

Conditions:

The visa may be granted for,

• a entry validity period of one year (Visa must be used within the validity period), and
• valid for single or multiple entries, and
• the duration of the stay counting extensions onshore may not exceed 90 days

Important Notice:

On arrival, the visa will be granted for the duration of stay up to 30 days, and is only valid for single entry.

Fee:

US$ 30

Important Notice:

Passengers applying for the visa on arrival are advised to hold the necessary amount for the payment of visa fees in US Dollars cash.

There are no ATM or credit card facilities in the airport or other border posts.

Money change is only available at Batugade Land border, and rarely, at Dili International Airport. (This service is not provided by the Immigration Department and may not be always available in either location).

Place of Application:

On Arrival

• National passport, visa application fee of US$30, and completed and signed arrival card must be submitted at the Immigration Department staff at the border post or port of arrival.

Abroad

• Visa application may also be submitted to a diplomatic mission or consular office in the country of usual residence prior to travel. See -  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Website for details of Embassies and Consulates abroad.

Extension After arrival

• Visa extension applications must be submitted directly to the Immigration Department in Dili, Timor-Leste.

    See - Visa Extensions.

    See  - Visa application forms.

    See - Immigration Department contact details

Note that a Class I Tourist visa may only be extended up to the total cumulative stay period authorised by law, that is, 90 days stay in total.

Place of Grant:

Visa Class I may be applied for and granted on arrival official ports of entry and border posts staffed by the Immigration Department, or at a Timor Leste Embassy or Consulate abroad (See -  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Website for details of Embassies and Consulates abroad).

Important Notice:

At the moment Timor-Leste Consulates and Embassies can only give a visa authorisation letter. For persons who have applied for this visa abroad, the visa will be stamped in your passport on arrival by Immigration Department staff following presentation of the authorisation letter.

Other Questions & Facts

Can I work on a Class 1 Tourist Visa?

Generally not. The visa is for tourism, family visits, and for business visits. It is not designed for work as an employee, and work of this kind is not permitted to holders of this class of visa. Those wishing to visit Timor Leste on business (eg, to explore business opportunities, conduct negotiations etc) may may enter and stay for this purpose on a Class I visa.

See also - Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

I am the holder of a Portuguese passport. Do I need to apply for a visa on arrival or before I travel if I am travelling as a tourist?

No. According to the terms of a bilateral agreement between Timor-Leste and Portugal, Portuguese nationals of good health and character who present a Portuguese passport on arrival and who seek to enter for tourism are exempted from having to obtain a Class 1 visa on arrival.

They may stay up to 90 days from the date of arrival, and have the same status as the holder of a Class 1 Tourist Visa.

The stay period may be extended up to a further 90 days after arrival on application to the Department of Immigration, where that further stay is justified on exceptional grounds.

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