Timor-Leste visa options for India passport holders
Tourist / short stay
Visa on arrival
Get the visa at the border on entry.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for Timor-Leste
Rules are written for foreign nationals generally; visa-on-arrival eligibility, fees and the few visa-exempt nationalities (e.g. some ASEAN states) vary by passport, so travellers should verify against their own nationality.
- Most nomadsTourist
Tourism Visa on Arrival
Up to 30 days, single entry; extendable by a further 30 days inside the country (extension approx US$35-75).
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required as a stated entry condition (no source mandates it). Recommended: travel/health insurance is strongly advised given limited local medical facilities and likely medevac needs.
- Good for
- Short-stay visitors arriving by air at Dili (Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport) or the Dili seaport for tourism; the most common entry route.
- Requirement
- Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages, completed arrivals card, return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds; US$30 fee payable in cash only. A separate visa on arrival is needed for the Oecusse exclave (Wini land border).
- Tourist
Tourist & Business Visa (Class I, applied in advance)
Up to 90 days per the Immigration Service; obtained in advance from a Timorese diplomatic/consular mission.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required. Recommended for the full stay.
- Good for
- Tourists, family visitors, and business travellers prospecting opportunities, negotiating or attending meetings who want a longer stay or who are not eligible for visa on arrival.
- Requirement
- Valid passport, proof of purpose, return/onward ticket, accommodation and sufficient funds (UK FCDO notes an expectation of roughly US$150/day for tourist/business visitors — verify).
- Business
Business Visa (longer-term / Class II)
Varies by class; Class I business travel is short-stay (approx up to 60 days, multiple entry, non-renewable per secondary sources), while a long-term business presence is handled via work/residence routes. Verify current class rules with a Timorese mission.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required. Recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals establishing a longer-term business presence or investment, typically intending to stay beyond ordinary short-stay limits.
- Requirement
- Documentation of the business/investment activity, company registration where applicable, proof of funds and accommodation; applied through a Timorese embassy/consulate, not on arrival.
- Work
Work Visa
Maximum one year; single or multiple entry. Cannot be applied for or granted on arrival.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot explicitly required, but applicants must prove medical fitness. Recommended: health insurance for the assignment.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals taking up temporary employment, independent work or a professional activity (paid or unpaid) with a registered entity in Timor-Leste.
- Requirement
- Employment offer / proof of work purpose, proof of financial means, accommodation, clean criminal/police record, and a medical fitness certification (physically and psychologically fit); applied at a Timorese diplomatic mission or the Dili Department of Consular Affairs. Fee approx US$50.
- Work
Temporary Stay Visa - Specialized Activity / Volunteer (VET2-VET3)
Specialized activity: for the contract/mission period up to a maximum of one year, extendable for equal periods. Volunteer: maximum 120 days, not extendable.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required. Recommended.
- Good for
- People on specialized or highly-skilled missions (cultural, sports, scientific research, journalistic, technical experts) and longer-term volunteers.
- Requirement
- Contract or mission documentation / volunteer agreement, proof of funds and accommodation; applied in advance. Fee approx US$50.
- Study
Temporary Stay Visa - Student (VET1)
Valid for the period of study, extendable by six months; multiple entry. Part-time work permitted under government rules.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required. Recommended for the study period.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals enrolled to study in Timor-Leste.
- Requirement
- Proof of enrolment/study purpose, means of subsistence and accommodation; applied in advance through a Timorese mission. Fee approx US$50.
- Residence
Residence (Temporary & Permanent Residence Permit)
Temporary Residence Permit: valid 2 years, renewable. Permanent Residence Permit: no expiry, granted after roughly 10 consecutive years of legal residence (or 6 years on a temporary permit, or 5+ years' marriage to a Timorese citizen).
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as required. Recommended; long-term residents should arrange ongoing health cover.
- Good for
- Foreigners settling longer-term: workers, spouses/family of Timorese citizens, and those qualifying for permanent residence. Entered via a Visa to Establish Residence, then a residence permit.
- Requirement
- Justified intention of permanent residence, valid travel document, proof of lodging and means of subsistence, no criminal convictions over one year; permanent residence also requires a positive economic/social contribution. Fees approx US$100 (permit) plus US$25 (card).
- Transit
Transit Visa
Maximum 72 hours; allows two entries. Generally not extendable.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required for transit. Recommended if leaving the airport.
- Good for
- Travellers passing through Timor-Leste en route to another destination.
- Requirement
- Valid travel document, onward ticket, proof of funds, accommodation declaration and supporting documents on travel purpose; fee approx US$20.
Sourced from the Timor-Leste Immigration Service (migracao.gov.tl), Customs Authority and UK FCDO advice; fees, durations and eligibility can change, so verify with a Timorese embassy or migracao.gov.tl before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into Timor-Leste, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
India → Timor-Leste: frequently asked
- Do India passport holders need a visa to visit Timor-Leste?
- Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
- Can a India passport holder live or work long-term in Timor-Leste?
- Yes, via a long-stay visa. Timor-Leste has 8 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
- Do I need travel insurance for Timor-Leste?
- Entry to Timor-Leste never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.