Timor-Leste entry requirements for United States passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 14, 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
US passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste. Pay $30 USD in cash at Dili's Presidente Nicolau dos Santos Lobato International Airport and receive a 30-day tourist visa. This procedure has been standard since 2025.
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 — bring exact change as the counter rarely has change. Have a passport photo ready; if you don't have one, they'll take your photo for an extra $5 USD. | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for 6 months beyond your stay | Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry. Timor-Leste immigration checks this strictly at the visa-on-arrival counter. Airlines also enforce this rule before boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for visa on arrival | Immigration officers at Dili Airport ask to see a confirmed onward or return ticket before issuing the visa-on-arrival. Budget airlines like Air Timor and Citilink check this at check-in too. Have a printed copy or a screenshot ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Officers rarely ask for a hotel booking, but having one speeds up the visa-on-arrival process. If you're staying with friends, have their address and phone number written down. Hostels in Dili cost $15–$30 USD per night. | Recommended |
Cash only — no cards
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in USD cash. ATMs at Dili Airport are unreliable. Bring $30 USD in exact change from home. Larger bills may not be accepted.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the day you land in Timor-Leste, not from your departure date. If your passport expires in 5 months, you'll be denied entry.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Dili Airport
After deplaning, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' counter before passport control. Have your passport and $30 USD cash ready.
2
Pay and receive visa
Hand over your passport and $30 USD. The officer will process payment and issue a visa sticker. This usually takes 5-10 minutes.
3
Pass through immigration
Proceed to the immigration booth with your passport (now with visa sticker), arrival card (filled out on the plane), and onward ticket if asked.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, collect your bags from the carousel and walk through customs. No customs declaration form is required for most travelers.
Download Timor-Leste Entry Checklist
PDF · United States Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 14, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$30 USD (same as VoA)
Apply at embassy before travel if you prefer certainty. No extension available.
Business visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable once for 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$50 USD
Requires invitation letter from Timor-Leste company. Extension possible at immigration office.
Multiple entry visa
Max stay30 days per entry, valid 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost$100 USD
Available for frequent travelers. Must apply at embassy.
work visa
Trabalhador Estrangeiro (Foreign Worker Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
$100–$200 USD (processing fee)
For those with a job offer in Timor-Leste. Requires employer sponsorship, contract, and approval from Ministry of Labor. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Student Visa (Visto de Estudante)
Duration of studies, renewable
$50 USD (processing fee)
For enrollment at a recognized educational institution in Timor-Leste. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Visto de Investidor)
1 year, renewable
$200–$500 USD (processing fee)
For individuals investing a minimum of $50,000 USD in a Timor-Leste business. Requires business plan and proof of investment.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry, 30 days)Payable in USD or local currency at entry. Valid for 30 days, non-extendable. | $30 USD (exact amount, no currency conversion needed) |
| Overstay fineOverstay fines are steep and must be paid at immigration before departure. | $50 USD per day (no cap mentioned) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket35%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete documentation20%
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
US 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 overnight), a visa on arrival is required.
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 year-round; use repellent and mosquito nets.
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in rural areas; prophylaxis recommended.
Typhoid feverModerate risk
Risk from contaminated food/water; practice good hygiene and consider vaccination.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present in all regions, including Dili. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended for all travelers.
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, photos, and fee in USD.
Baucau
Baucau Immigration Office
Rua de Baucau, Baucau
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles extensions for eastern region. Limited services; call ahead.
Practical information for US 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
No. The visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a different visa type before traveling, such as a tourist visa from an embassy.
Visa on arrival is also available at the land border crossings with Indonesia (Batugade and Mota'ain). The same $30 USD fee and 30-day validity apply. Have cash ready — no card payments.
No. Only US dollars are accepted. Bring crisp, undamaged bills. ATMs in Timor-Leste dispense USD, but the airport ATMs are often out of service.
If you stay airside and don't pass immigration, you don't need a visa. But if you leave the transit area for any reason, you'll need the visa on arrival.
You will be denied boarding by the airline and refused entry by Timor-Leste immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
No. The visa on arrival is single-entry. If you leave Timor-Leste and want to return, you'll need to pay the $30 USD fee again and get a new visa.
No. Timor-Leste does not offer an e-visa for US passport holders. The visa on arrival is the standard method.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 14, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.