Timor-Leste

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.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

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

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

Travelling to Oecussi overland

If you plan to travel overland, rather than by ferry, to the exclave of Oecussi, you will need to apply for a separate visa on arrival. This visa is available at the Wini border checkpoint. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa for Oecussi in advance. To do this, 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 at the Atambua-Batugade border crossing

If you’re entering Timor-Leste through Indonesia at the Atambua-Batugade border crossing, you can purchase a visa on entry. Alternatively, you can purchase 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. If possible, apply at least 15 days in advance of the tourist visa’s expiry date.  

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.

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.

Emergency services in Timor-Leste

Ambulance: 110 or +670 331 1044

Fire: 115 or +670 331 0340

Police: 112 or +670 331 1380

Emergency numbers are unreliable in Timor-Leste.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:    

• dealing with a death abroad
• being arrested or imprisoned abroad
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Emergency consular services for British nationals are provided by the New Zealand Embassy in Dili (24-hour emergency number: +670 7732 1015).

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID and travel documents

Carry a copy of the photo page of your passport and entry visa with you in case the authorities ask to see it. Make sure your travel documents are up-to-date and available in case you need to leave at short notice.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Do not get involved with illegal drugs. There are severe penalties if you’re convicted.

Money

Credit cards are accepted for payments by few outlets in Timor-Leste. ATMs, banks, and credit card facilities are not common outside of municipal capitals.

There are a few currency exchanges in the country, but exchange rates are poor and sterling may not be accepted. Bring a few small (5 US dollar) notes as larger denomination notes can be difficult to spend. Notes printed before 2009 are usually rejected, but can be changed at the Central Bank in Dili.