Timor Leste

U.S. Embassy Dili,Timor Leste

Av. de Portugal
Praia dos Coqueiros
Dili, Timor-Leste
Telephone: +(670) 332-4684
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(670) 7723-1328
Fax: +(670) 331-3206
Email: ConsDili@state.gov

You need a passport valid for six months beyond the date of arrival in Timor-Leste. Travelers arriving by air may obtain a 30-day tourist visa-on-arrival for a fee of 30 USD. Travelers have the option to extend this visa for an additional 30 days, provided they apply at least 15 days prior to the expiration of their current visa. Forms to apply for the extension are available at the office of the Ministry of Interior in Dili.

If entering Timor-Leste by land, you will need to apply in advance at the Timor-Leste Consulate in Kupang for a “Visa Application Authorization.” When you arrive at the border, the “Visa Application Authorization” must be presented to an immigration official. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and you must pay 30 USD to receive a visa. Visas on arrival at the land border with Indonesia are no longer available.

Please see the website of the Timor-Leste Immigration Department for information on visas and extensions. Please note, however, that Timor-Leste’s immigration policies are subject to change at any time, and that the Immigration Department’s website may not reflect the current policies. Visitors traveling via air must transit Singapore, Darwin, Australia, or Bali, Indonesia, en route to Timor-Leste.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Timor-Leste.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.

Timor-Leste has experienced several episodes of violence since becoming independent in 2002. There have been no major country-wide civil disturbances since 2008, however, and international peacekeepers departed the country at the end of 2012.

You should exercise caution, use common sense, avoid large gatherings, remain alert with regard to your personal security, and avoid travel after dark. Exercise caution in public places, including, but not limited to, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreational events, hotels, resorts and beaches, and other locations frequented by foreigners.

You should review U.S. Embassy security messages and maintain a high level of security awareness while moving around the country.

Timorese security forces occasionally establish official security checkpoints along roads. You may be expected to show your passport at these checkpoints.

Crime: 

Pick-pocketing, purse snatching, residential and automobile break-ins, and theft occur, especially in Dili. These crimes often happen in recreational areas and facilities frequented by foreigners. Victims of crime who resist may face physical violence by perpetrators.

Stone-throwing attacks on vehicles occur during gang conflicts and periods of civil unrest. Avoid travel at night or alone in unfamiliar areas. Women should avoid traveling or taking taxis alone, especially at night. Women walking or exercising alone in Dili have reported harassment, indecent exposure, and groping incidents.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:

Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +670-7723-1328.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: Outside of a small number of PADI-certified dive shops, no formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. If you are suspected of criminal activity, you may be incarcerated for up to one year pending investigation.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Timor-Leste continues to develop and strengthen its civil and governmental institutions. If you encounter problems while traveling or doing business in Timor-Leste you may find it difficult to identify legal or administrative remedies.

Currency: The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Timor-Leste. Only a few establishments accept credit cards, usually requiring a substantial additional fee, and you should be prepared to settle all bills in cash. Dili has several ATM machines that accept U.S.-issued bankcards, which are frequently inoperative and can charge high fees.

If you intend to travel to Australia from Timor-Leste, you should be aware that Australian immigration requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance of arrival. For more information, please consult the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) website.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There is no legal protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Timor-Leste. However, since 2009, the penal code specifies that crimes motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation (as well as ethnicity, religion, disability, etc.) may be subject to higher penalties. Although there are some openly gay public personalities, LGBTI individuals generally maintain very low profiles. Several LGBTI organization exists, and there have been no formal reports of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, due in part to limited awareness of the issue. Discrimination may be underreported due to the lack of recourse stemming from the absence of formal legal protections.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Although the Timorese Constitution guarantees the same rights to disabled citizens as it does to all other citizens, Timor-Leste does not currently have legislation that mandates access to transportation, communication, and public buildings for persons with disabilities. Currently most public places and public transportation are not accessible. Persons with disabilities will face difficulties in Timor-Leste as foot paths, rest rooms, road crossings, and tourist areas are not equipped to accommodate people with disabilities.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips..

Women Travelers: Timor-Leste is socially conservative. Travelers should avoid wearing revealing clothing, particularly in crowded public areas such as markets. Timor-Leste has a very high rate of gender-based violence.

See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Limited emergency medical care is available in Dili and options for routine medical care throughout the rest of the country are extremely limited. Serious medical problems may require medical evacuation to Australia (the nearest point with acceptable medical care), Singapore, or the United States, which can cost thousands of dollars.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Timor-Leste to ensure the medication is legal in Timor-Leste. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Dengue Fever
• Chikungunya
• Malaria (MED level 2)
• Tuberculosis
• Japanese Encephalitis

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

While in Timor-Leste, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Road Conditions and Safety:

• All traffic operates on the left side of the road, and most vehicles use right-hand drive.
• Roads are often poorly maintained and four-wheel drive may be required in some areas.
• Sparse or non-existent lighting and poor road conditions make driving at night hazardous. Many cars and motorcycles operate at night without lights.
• Driving in Dili is especially hazardous, with large trucks, buses, and mikrolets sharing the streets with vendors and pedestrians.
• During the rainy season from November to May, rain showers can severely damage cross-island roadways, making roads particularly risky. You should use caution when traveling on the cross-island roadways in the mountain areas of Aileu, Ermera, Manatuto, Ainaro, and Manufahi districts.

Traffic Laws:

• If you are involved in a traffic accident, you should contact the police. Bystanders sometimes attack the driver perceived to be responsible for a traffic accident. If you believe that there is a threat of bodily harm from people at the scene of the accident, it is advisable to drive to the nearest police station before stopping.
• While vehicle insurance is required in Timor-Leste, compliance with this rule is limited and many drivers are uninsured. Most traffic accidents are settled informally between those involved.

Public Transportation:

• Taxis, small buses, and mini-vans provide public transportation in Dili and elsewhere.
• Public transportation is generally overcrowded, uncomfortable, and below international safety standards.
• Yellow taxis do not operate on meters and passengers are advised to negotiate fares before getting in to avoid disagreements about fares, which have occasionally led to hostilities.
• Blue taxis also operate in Dili and have meters to determine fares
• Public transport is generally inadvisable and usually unavailable after dark, although taxis are occasionally available at select locations.

See our Road Safety page for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:

As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Timor-Leste, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Timor-Leste’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Those planning travel to Timor-Leste by sea should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website under “broadcast warnings”.