Timor-Leste entry requirements for Colombia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 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
Colombian passport holders can get a visa on arrival when landing in Timor-Leste. This is the standard entry method — no need to apply in advance. Just show up at Dili's Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport with the right documents and you'll be processed on the spot. This policy is current as of 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Get your visa on arrival at Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport (DIL) in Dili. Pay $30 USD in cash (exact change preferred) for a 30-day single-entry visa. 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 6 months beyond your stay | Your Colombian passport needs at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry into Timor-Leste. Airlines at Bogotá and connecting hubs check this strictly — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers in Dili always ask for proof of onward travel. Show a printed or digital return ticket or a flight out of Timor-Leste within your visa validity. Without it, you'll be refused entry and sent back on the next flight. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to have ready | Have a hotel booking or a letter of invitation from a host in Timor-Leste. Immigration rarely asks, but if they do, you'll need to show where you're staying for at least the first few nights. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to have ready | Carry at least $500 USD in cash or have a bank statement showing sufficient funds for your stay. Timor-Leste is a cash economy — credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels in Dili. | Recommended |
Bring exact $30 USD cash
The visa on arrival fee is $30 USD, and the immigration counter rarely has change. Have the exact amount in good condition (no torn or marked bills). ATMs at Dili Airport are unreliable, so arrive with cash in hand.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
This is the standard entry method for Colombian passport holders. No pre-approval, no online form, no embassy visit. Just show up with the right documents and $30 USD.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Dili Airport
After landing at Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport (DIL), follow signs to the immigration hall. There's a dedicated counter for visa on arrival.
2
Present documents and pay fee
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card (usually given on the plane), and $30 USD cash. The officer will process your visa sticker on the spot.
3
Receive visa and enter
Once approved, the visa sticker is placed in your passport. You'll then proceed to baggage claim and customs. The whole process typically takes 10–20 minutes.
Download Timor-Leste Entry Checklist
PDF · Colombia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 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 (Visa on Arrival) + $35 USD extension
Available on arrival for Colombian passport holders. Extension requires visit to Dili immigration office.
Business Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable
Validity3 months
Cost$30 USD (Visa on Arrival) + $35 USD extension
Must show business invitation letter. Same process as tourist visa.
work visa
Temporary Work Visa
1 year, renewable
$100–$200 USD (processing fee)
For foreign workers with a job offer from a Timor-Leste employer. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Ministry of Labor.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of studies, renewable annually
$50–$100 USD (processing fee)
For enrolled students at recognized educational institutions in Timor-Leste. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (30 days)Payable in cash (USD) upon arrival at Dili airport or land borders. | $30 USD |
| Visa extension (30 days, single extension)Apply at Immigration Office in Dili before initial 30 days expire. | $35 USD |
| Overstay fine (per day)No official cap; avoid overstaying to prevent fines and possible deportation. | $10 USD per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete travel 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
Colombian passport holders transiting through Timor-Leste do not need a transit 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., Brazil, Angola).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubellaEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
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 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 throughout Timor-Leste, including Dili. Prophylaxis (e.g., doxycycline, atovaquone-proguanil) is strongly recommended for all travellers.
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 overstay payments. Bring passport, visa on arrival receipt, and $35 USD cash.
Practical information for CO 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
The standard visa on arrival is valid for 30 days. It can be extended once for an additional 30 days at the Immigration Department in Dili. The extension costs around $35 USD and takes a few days to process.
Yes, you can extend it once for another 30 days. Go to the Immigration Department (Servisu Migrasaun) in Dili with your passport, a passport photo, and the extension fee (about $35 USD). Processing usually takes 2–3 working days.
Immigration may deny entry if you can't show proof of onward travel. A bus or ferry ticket to Indonesia (if traveling overland) or a flight booking out of Timor-Leste works. A refundable ticket is a safe bet.
Yes, it's available at Dili Airport and the land border crossings with Indonesia (Batugade and Mota'ain). At land borders, the process is similar — have your passport and $30 USD ready.
You can apply for a tourist visa at a Timorese embassy or consulate before travel, but it's not necessary. The visa on arrival is simpler and faster for most travelers.
No vaccines are required for entry, but routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, hepatitis A, typhoid) are recommended. Yellow fever vaccine is not required unless you're arriving from an endemic country.
ATMs are scarce outside Dili and often run out of cash. Bring enough USD cash for your entire stay. Credit cards are accepted only at upscale hotels and a few restaurants in Dili.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.