Dili Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
If you carry a passport from any Schengen country, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Japan, South Korea, an ASEAN member (except Myanmar and Timor-Leste's non-member partners), or a handful of other jurisdictions, you'll collect a 30-day tourist stamp on arrival.
The permit covers tourism, business meetings, or transit. Paid work needs a different visa. Overstay costs USD 10 per day, settled at the airport when you leave.
Not on the visa-free list, think Brazil, China, India, Russia, means you must secure an e-Visa before you reach the check-in desk.
Cost: USD 30 single-entry, USD 60 multiple-entry; pay online by card.
Airlines refuse boarding without an approved e-Visa. Once inside the country you can extend at Dili Immigration for a fee.
Passports that can't enter visa-free and are barred from the e-Visa system, most African, Middle-East, and Central Asian states, must obtain a visa in advance from the nearest Timor-Leste embassy or honorary consulate.
Port visas are not issued to this category, arrive without the sticker in your passport and you'll be on the next flight out at your own expense.
Arrival Process
All flights descend into Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, 10 min west of central Dili. The building is small: one baggage belt, manual customs tables, and a single exit door.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Timor-Leste spends US dollars. Bring as much foreign currency as you like. But declare sums the officers consider large. Personal effects enter duty-free within reasonable quantities.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illicit drugs, zero tolerance policy
- Explosives, firearms, and ammunition (unless pre-approved by police)
- Pornographic material
- Counterfeit currency or goods
Restricted Items
- Medicines containing pseudoephedrine or codeine, carry doctor's letter and original packaging
- Satellite phones or drones, require prior written authorisation from TIMOR-TELECOM
- Endangered wildlife products, CITES permit needed
Health Requirements
No vaccinations are required for travellers arriving directly from non-endemic countries, but yellow-fever proof is mandatory if coming from affected areas.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever, for travellers over 1 year old arriving from countries with risk (e.g., Angola, Brazil, DRC, Nigeria)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus-diphtheria
- Japanese encephalitis for rural visits
- Rabies for long-stay or animal handlers
Health Insurance
Not mandatory. But medical evacuation to Darwin or Singapore is expensive, complete travel insurance is strongly advised.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsRead our complete Dili Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Carry the child's passport and birth certificate. If only one parent is present, bring notarised consent from the absent parent or proof of sole custody to avoid exit complications.
Dogs and cats need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture (apply 10 days in advance), current rabies vaccination, and a veterinary health certificate issued within 48 h of travel; 30-day home quarantine is imposed in Dili.
Visit Dili Immigration HQ (Becora road) before your visa expires. Bring passport, employer or sponsor letter, and USD fee for 30-day tourist extension or work/residency permit conversion.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
View Dili Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to Dili?
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