No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Timor-Leste’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Timor-Leste set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Timor-Leste Embassy in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Timor-Leste, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have 2 blank pages.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou must have a visa to visit Timor-Leste for tourism.
\n\nYou will be issued a single-entry tourism visa, valid for up to 30 days, when you arrive at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, or Dili seaport. The visa costs 30 US dollars, payable only in cash.
\n\nIf you plan to travel overland, rather than by ferry, to the exclave of Oecussi, you will need to apply for a separate visa on arrival. This visa is available at the Wini border checkpoint. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa for Oecussi in advance. To do this, you must show your round-trip ticket and complete the required forms at your nearest Timor-Leste embassy or consulate, or at the Office of the Ministry of the Interior in Dili, before you travel.
\n\nIf you’re entering Timor-Leste through Indonesia at the Atambua-Batugade border crossing, you can purchase a visa on entry. Alternatively, you can purchase a tourism visa in advance from a Timor-Leste embassy or consulate in either Denpasar or Kupang. These visas are usually single-entry and last for 30 days.
\n\nSee travel advice for Indonesia for more information.
\n\nYou can apply to extend a tourism visa for 30 days. If possible, apply at least 15 days in advance of the tourist visa’s expiry date.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Timor-Leste guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Timor-Leste. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nIf you’re planning on bringing cash or travellers cheques worth 20,000 US dollars or more you must get authorisation from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste before you arrive.
\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Timor-Leste, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nThe security situation in Timor-Leste has improved but there are still underlying tensions, particularly during election periods when the security situation could deteriorate with little warning.
\n\nPolitical demonstrations and local unrest occasionally happen. Minor disputes can become violent. Avoid any demonstrations and large crowds, particularly around Tasi Tolu and Comoro in Dili.
\n\nCrime such as gang-related violence, robbery and assault are common in Timor-Leste. Burglaries are not common but have happened. There have been instances of unmetered taxis charging tourists extortionate prices.
\n\nYou can take steps to reduce your personal risk by:
\n\nThere have been reports of harassment and violence against travellers, including lewd remarks and indecent exposure. Offenders mostly target women, but may harass men as well. Sexual assault can happen in public places, such as Beach Road in Dili.
\n\nTravel as a group if you can, including when exercising outdoors. If possible, avoid using public transport or taxis alone at night.
\n\nSee advice for women travelling abroad.
\n\nThere is occasional fighting between groups in Timor-Leste, sometimes related to martial arts groups. These incidents often involve stone throwing and occasionally machetes and knives. Most happen at night.
\n\nForeign nationals have not been targeted, but leave the area immediately if you’re aware of fighting.
\n\nCarry a copy of the photo page of your passport and entry visa with you in case the authorities ask to see it. Make sure your travel documents are up-to-date and available in case you need to leave at short notice.
\n\nDo not get involved with illegal drugs. There are severe penalties if you’re convicted.
\n\nCredit cards are accepted for payments by few outlets in Timor-Leste. ATMs, banks, and credit card facilities are not common outside of municipal capitals.
\n\nThere are a few currency exchanges in the country, but exchange rates are poor and sterling may not be accepted. Bring a few small (5 US dollar) notes as larger denomination notes can be difficult to spend. Notes printed before 2009 are usually rejected, but can be changed at the Central Bank in Dili.
\n\nCrocodiles are frequently seen in inland waterways and on the south coast and the eastern region. Occasionally they may be seen at beaches near Dili. Get local advice before going in the water.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Timor-Leste, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP. If you hire a car in Timor-Leste it’s likely you’ll have to hire a driver as well.
\n\nRoads are generally in poor condition and accidents, particularly involving motorbikes and scooters, are common.
\n\nMain routes are often single-track mountain roads, which can deteriorate quickly and become impassable, particularly during the rainy season from November to April.
\n\nOutside Dili, travel in convoy whenever possible because of the lack of emergency services, poor road conditions and cars driving without lights at night.
\n\nThere have been incidents of piracy on the waters around Timor-Leste. Consider taking precautions against piracy attacks.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThe rainy season in Timor-Leste normally runs from November to April. Heavy rains can cause flash flooding and landslides. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation. Take extreme care when walking on flooded pavements or roads in Dili. Uncovered manholes can lead to injuries or drowning.
\n\nEarthquakes are a risk in Timor-Leste, although there has not been a significant one since 2005. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 110, +670 331 1044 or +670 723 3212 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nEmergency medical services in Timor-Leste are unreliable. Make your own way to hospital if you can.
\n\nThere may be other numbers for the areas you visit – ask your hotel or the local police.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nGo to TravelHealthPro to see what health risks you’ll face in Timor-Leste, including:
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Timor-Leste. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nMedical services in Timor-Leste are limited, particularly outside Dili.
\n\nIn a medical emergency, it’s likely you’ll need to be evacuated to Australia or Singapore. However, medical evacuation is difficult because of the limited number of airlines from Timor-Leste. You should make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 110 or +670 331 1044
\n\nFire: 115 or +670 331 0340
\n\nPolice: 112 or +670 331 1380
\n\nEmergency numbers are unreliable in Timor-Leste.
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nEmergency consular services for British nationals are provided by the New Zealand Embassy in Dili (24-hour emergency number: +670 7732 1015).
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
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