Timor-Leste entry requirements for Canada passport holders
Verified May 13, 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
Canadians get a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste — no need to apply in advance. Just show up at Dili's Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport or the land border from Indonesia, pay the fee in USD, and you're in. As of 2026, this is the standard entry method for Canadian passport holders.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Get a 30-day visa on arrival at Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport (DIL) in Dili. Pay $30 USD in cash (exact change preferred) — they don't accept cards. Have a passport photo ready; if you don't have one, they'll charge an extra $5 USD.Check visa details | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay | Your Canadian passport needs at least 6 months of validity from your date of entry. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers in Dili ask for proof of onward travel — a return flight or a ticket to your next destination. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Officers rarely ask for a hotel booking, but having one speeds things up if they do. A simple hostel or hotel confirmation on your phone works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | No one checks your bank balance at the border, but carry enough cash for your stay — ATMs in Dili are unreliable and often run out of USD. $50–$100 per day is a safe buffer. | Recommended |
Cash is king — bring USD
ATMs in Dili are scarce and frequently out of order. Bring enough USD cash for your entire stay, including the visa fee. Credit cards are accepted only at a handful of hotels and restaurants in Dili.
Land border crossing from Indonesia
If you're entering overland from West Timor (Indonesia), the visa-on-arrival process is the same as at the airport. The border posts at Batugade and Mota'ain are open 24/7, but immigration staff may be limited at night — expect a short wait.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Dili Airport (or land border)
At Dili's Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' after passport control. At the land border from Indonesia (Batugade or Mota'ain), the process is similar — look for the immigration office before crossing.
2
Fill out the arrival card
You'll receive a small arrival/departure card on the plane or at the border. Fill it out with your passport details, flight number, and accommodation address. Keep the departure stub safe — you'll need it when you leave.
3
Pay the visa fee and get your sticker
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card, and USD $30 cash. The officer will print a visa sticker and paste it into your passport. This takes about 5 minutes. If you don't have exact change, ask politely — they may round down.
4
Proceed to passport control
After getting your visa sticker, go to the passport control queue. The officer will stamp you in. That's it — you're officially in Timor-Leste.
Download Timor-Leste Entry Checklist
PDF · Canada Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 13, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist Visa (single entry, pre-arranged)
Max stay30 days, extendable once for 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD (same as VoA, but pre-approved)
Apply at a Timor-Leste embassy or consulate before travel. Useful if you want certainty.
Business Visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable
Validity3 months
Cost$30 USD (same as tourist, but requires business letter)
Requires invitation letter from a Timor-Leste company. Can be extended for business purposes.
Multiple Entry Visa (for frequent travelers)
Max stay30 days per visit, valid 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost$50 USD (estimated)
Available from Timor-Leste embassies. Good for regional travelers or those with ongoing business.
work visa
Temporary Work Visa
Up to 1 year, renewable
$50 USD (estimated) + processing
For foreign workers with a job offer from a Timor-Leste company. Requires a work contract and approval from the Ministry of Labor. Allows multiple entries.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of studies, renewable annually
$30 USD (estimated) + processing
For those enrolled in a recognized educational institution in Timor-Leste. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
Investment Visa
1 year, renewable
$100 USD (estimated) + proof of investment
For individuals investing a minimum of $50,000 in a Timor-Leste business. Requires business registration and investment plan. Can lead to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry, 30 days)Payable in USD at Dili airport or land borders. Have exact change. | $30 USD (no additional currency conversion) |
| Visa extension (30 days, once only)Apply at the Immigration Department in Dili before your initial 30 days expire. | $35 USD (estimated, paid at immigration office) |
| Overstay finePay at immigration upon departure. Avoid overstaying as it may affect future entry. | $5 USD per day (no official cap) |
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
Canadian passport holders transiting through Timor-Leste do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if you need to enter the country (e.g., to change airports or collect luggage), 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 AEssentialTyphoidEssentialTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderJapanese EncephalitisConsider
Health risks
Dengue FeverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne disease common in urban and rural areas; use repellent and sleep under nets.
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in rural 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 DEET 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
Immigration Department of Timor-Leste (Servisu Migrasaun)
Avenida de Portugal, Dili, Timor-Leste
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, 2 photos, and extension fee in USD.
Baucau
Baucau Immigration Office
Rua de Baucau, Baucau
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles extensions for travelers in the eastern region. Limited services; call ahead.
Practical information for CA 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, you can extend it once for up to 30 more days. Go to the Immigration Department in Dili (near the Government Palace) before your initial 30 days expire. The extension costs about USD $35 and takes a few days to process. Bring your passport, a passport photo, and the fee in cash.
Same visa-on-arrival process applies. At Batugade or Mota'ain, head to the immigration office before crossing. You'll pay USD $30 and get the sticker. The process is slightly slower than at the airport — allow 15–30 minutes.
No. Only US dollars are accepted. Timor-Leste uses USD as its official currency, so bring enough cash. ATMs in Dili dispense USD, but they're unreliable and often run out of cash.
If you're transiting through Dili Airport and not leaving the international transit area, you don't need a visa. But if you plan to leave the airport — even for a few hours — you need the visa on arrival.
You'll likely be denied boarding by your airline or refused entry at the border. The 6-month rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before you travel.
No. The visa on arrival is based on your passport, not your residency status. If you're a Canadian permanent resident holding a passport from a country that doesn't qualify for visa on arrival, you'll need to apply for a visa in advance at a Timorese embassy.
No. The visa on arrival is single-entry. If you leave Timor-Leste (even for a day trip to Indonesia), you'll need to pay for a new visa on arrival when you come back.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 13, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.