Timor-Leste entry requirements for Australia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Australian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste — no need to apply before you travel. Just arrive at Dili's Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport or the land border at Batugade with your passport and pay the fee in cash. This policy has been in place since at least 2024 and continues for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Timor-Leste. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Visa on arrival Obtain at Dili airport or land borders | You get a 30-day visa on arrival at Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport in Dili or at the land border crossings from Indonesia. Pay $30 USD in cash (exact change preferred) — they don't accept cards. Have your return ticket and hotel booking printed out; the officer may ask to see them.Visa info | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Timor-Leste | Immigration officers routinely ask for a confirmed onward or return flight. Without one, you may be refused entry or directed to buy a ticket on the spot. A printed itinerary or e-ticket works fine. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Have a printed hotel reservation or a letter from your host in Timor-Leste ready. Immigration occasionally asks for it during the visa-on-arrival process, especially if you're staying more than a few days. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Carry at least $100 USD in cash or have a bank statement showing sufficient funds. Immigration rarely checks this, but it's a formal requirement for the visa on arrival. | Recommended |
Cash only — no cards accepted
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in US dollars cash. There are no card machines at the immigration counter. Bring USD $30 per person in good condition (no torn or marked notes). ATMs in Dili are unreliable, so get cash before you fly.
Visa on arrival cannot be extended
The 30-day visa on arrival is a single-entry visa with no extension option. If you need more than 30 days, you must apply for a visa at a Timor-Leste embassy before you travel. Plan accordingly.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Dili Airport or Batugade border
At Dili Airport, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' counter before passport control. At Batugade land border, the process is the same — look for the immigration office on the Timor-Leste side.
2
Fill out the arrival card
You'll be given a small arrival card on the plane or at the border. Fill it out with your passport details, flight number, and accommodation address.
3
Pay the visa fee and receive your visa
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card, and USD $30 cash. The officer will print and stick the visa in your passport. Keep the receipt.
4
Proceed to passport control
After getting your visa, join the passport control queue. The officer will stamp you in. That's it — you're in.
Download Timor-Leste Entry Checklist
PDF · Australia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable once for 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD (same as VoA)
Obtainable on arrival; no need to apply in advance.
Business Visa
Max stay30 days, extendable up to 60 days
Validity3 months
Cost$30 USD (VoA) + extension fees
Requires letter of invitation from Timor-Leste company.
Multiple Entry Visa
Max stay30 days per entry, valid 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost$50–$100 USD (estimated)
Must be applied for at Timor-Leste embassy abroad; not available on arrival.
work visa
Temporary Work Visa
1 year, renewable
$100–$200 USD (estimated)
For foreign workers with a job offer from a Timor-Leste employer. Requires work contract and approval from Ministry of Labor.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of studies (typically 1–4 years)
$50–$100 USD (estimated)
For enrolled students at recognized educational institutions in Timor-Leste. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Investment Visa
1 year, renewable
$200–$500 USD (estimated)
For individuals investing a minimum amount (e.g., $50,000) in a Timor-Leste business. Requires business registration and investment proof.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (30 days)Payable in USD cash upon arrival at Dili airport or land borders. | $30 USD (no currency conversion needed) |
| Visa extension (30 days, single extension)Apply at Immigration Office in Dili before initial 30 days expire. | $35 USD (approx.) |
| Overstay fine (per day)No official maximum cap; fines accumulate daily until departure. | $5 USD per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Timor-Leste
No transit visa needed
Australian passport holders transiting through Timor-Leste (e.g., at Dili Airport) do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if you need to enter the country (e.g., overnight layover), you must obtain a visa on arrival.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsPresidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport (DIL)
Health & vaccines for Timor-Leste
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsiderJapanese EncephalitisConsider
Health risks
Dengue FeverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne disease common in urban and rural areas; use insect repellent and sleep under nets.
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in lowland areas; prophylaxis recommended.
Typhoid FeverModerate risk
Spread through contaminated food and water; practice good hygiene and consider vaccination.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present year-round in all regions, including Dili. Prophylaxis (e.g., doxycycline, atovaquone-proguanil) is strongly recommended. Use mosquito nets and repellent.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Dili
Servisu Migrasaun Timor-Leste (Immigration Service)
Avenida de Portugal, Dili, Timor-Leste
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, visa, and fee in USD cash.
Baucau
Immigration Office Baucau
Rua de Baucau, Baucau
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Limited services; best for simple inquiries. Extensions may require Dili.
Practical information for AU travellers
Country basics
CapitalDili
LanguageTetum, Portuguese
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 30 days.
Money
CurrencyUnited States dollar (USD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1 USD
Time zone
Local timeUTC+9
vs New York+14h
vs Los Angeles+17h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,E,F,ITypes C, E, F, and I are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but only at Dili's Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport and the land border at Batugade (near the Indonesian border). If you arrive by sea at a port other than Dili, you'll need to arrange a visa in advance.
30 days from the date of issue. It's a single-entry visa — if you leave Timor-Leste and come back, you'll need to pay again. It cannot be extended.
You can't extend the visa on arrival. For longer stays, you need to apply for a visa in advance at a Timor-Leste embassy or consulate (e.g., in Canberra or Darwin). The process takes 1-2 weeks.
No. Only US dollars cash is accepted. There are ATMs in Dili that dispense USD, but they're not always reliable. Bring enough cash from home.
Only if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa or South America). Australia is not a risk country, so you don't need it for direct travel.
No. There is no e-visa system for Timor-Leste. The only options are visa on arrival (for short stays) or a pre-arranged visa from an embassy (for longer stays).
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined USD $30 per day overstayed, and you may be detained or banned from re-entry. If you realise you'll overstay, contact the Immigration Department in Dili before your visa expires.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.