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🇹🇱 Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste sets its own visa rules: EU/Schengen and four ASEAN nationalities are visa-free, everyone else can get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival for US$30 in cash. Below: visa rules for every passport, cash limits at customs and the tourist traps official travel advice warns about.

Check your visa route for Timor-Leste

Pick your passport and where you live — Timor-Leste is already filled in.

Visas or permits I hold (optional)

Visa rules for your passport ↓

Explore Timor-Leste: things to do, shopping, food and getting around

A short guide based on the official tourism portal of Timor-Leste.

Places to visit

Summarised in our own words from the linked pages, official tourism boards and transport authorities first; items marked "Not official" come from other guides. Prices and opening times change, so check the source before you go. Last checked 24 Oct 2026.

Common tourist traps and how to avoid them

Scams and risky spots named in official travel advice for Timor-Leste, in our own words.

  1. Unmetered taxis overcharging

    How it works: Unmetered taxis have charged tourists extortionate prices.

    How to avoid it: Book taxis through your hotel and ask locally what the fare should be.

  2. Robbery and assault

    How it works: Gang-related violence, robbery and assault are common.

    How to avoid it: Don't display jewellery or carry large sums, keep doors locked and avoid going out alone after dark.

Official advice: FCDO: no areas advised against.

Emergency numbers in Timor-Leste

Paraphrased from official travel advice: FCDO travel advice – Safety and security · FCDO travel advice – Warnings and insurance · FCDO travel advice – Getting help (emergency numbers) · FCDO page updated 10 Dec 2025 · Last checked 2 Nov 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cash you can bring in and take out

Customs rules for banknotes and other cash when you enter or leave Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste Customs Authority / Central Bank of Timor-Leste

Bringing cash in
Bringing in US$20,000 or more (or equivalent) needs prior authorisation from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste; declare it to customs on arrival and show the authorisation.
Taking cash out
Taking out US$20,000 or more also needs prior Central Bank authorisation.
Local currency (USD) in
Timor-Leste uses the US dollar.
Local currency (USD) out
Timor-Leste uses the US dollar.
Foreign currency
Declare and get Central Bank authorisation for US$20,000 or more.
  • Failure to declare cash of US$20,000 or more can lead to a fine, arrest or prosecution.
  • All travellers complete the online arrival declaration (Customs Trade Single Window).

Official source: customs.gov.tl · Last checked 2 Nov 2026

Timor-Leste visa rules by passport

The general rule for each passport, from official sources. Open a passport to see conditions and options that depend on where you live.

Visa-free34 passports
Visa on arrival164 passports

Verified rules for Timor-Leste: 197 of 198 passports; awaiting verification: 1; not yet covered: 0. A rule that is awaiting verification or not yet covered is not a negative visa decision: it only means we haven't confirmed it on an official source yet.

⚠ Unofficial sources: 1 rule for Timor-Leste is not from an official Timor-Leste government source (based on other governments' travel advice or secondary research). They are labelled on each page, are not counted as verified above, and should be confirmed with the embassy before travel.

Nearby destinations

Official travel advice

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Plan your trip to Timor-Leste

Verify with the embassy before you book. Visa rules change without notice. We link every rule to its official source and last checked it on 2 Nov 2026, but the embassy, official e-visa portal and your airline have the final say. MyVisaPort is not a visa agent and is not affiliated with any government.