Embassy
Embassy of East Timor in South Africa
107 George Storrar Drive
Timor-Leste visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens get a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste, for up to 30 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
TLS
Timor-Leste
Visa on arrival
Tourists can get this visa at Dili airport or seaport.
- Visa
- On arrival
- Max stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- US$30
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo.
Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
Queue at the visa-on-arrival desk before immigration in Timor-Leste.
Ways into Timor-Leste
Tourist visas usually allow 30 days. Check entry rules before travel.
Visa on arrivalTourist visa on arrivalTourists can get this visa at Dili airport or seaport.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- US$30
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Prepare your passport and proof of your trip.
- Complete the arrival form.
- Show your documents at Dili airport or seaport.
- Pay 30 USD in cash.
Documents required
- Passport with 1 unused page
- Return ticket or departure funds
- Place to stay
- Proof of enough money
- Yellow fever certificate, if required
- Hotel booking
- You cannot work. Travel to or from Oe-Cusse Ambeno allows more than 1 entry.
- One extra 30-day stay is allowed; apply at least 15 days before expiry.
Visa on arrivalDili tourist arrival visaTourists can get this visa when arriving at Dili airport or seaport.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- US$30
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Prepare your travel documents.
- Complete the arrival form.
- Show your documents at Dili airport or seaport.
- Pay 30 USD in cash.
Documents required
- Passport with 1 unused page
- Return ticket or departure funds
- Place to stay
- Proof of enough money
- Yellow fever certificate, if required
- Hotel booking
- This is the same tourist visa listed above, with no extra stay allowance.
- Travel to or from Oe-Cusse Ambeno allows more than 1 entry.
Other routeLand border tourist permissionSome tourists must get permission before reaching a land border.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Fee
- US$30
How to apply
- Ask a Timor-Leste embassy whether you need advance permission.
- Get the required permission before reaching the border.
- Show your permission and travel documents.
- Pay 30 USD if your visa is approved.
Documents required
- Advance visa permission
- Passport with 1 unused page
- Travel plans
- Place to stay
- Money for stay and departure
- Hotel booking
- This permission is not an online visa.
- Official websites disagree on exemptions; confirm your passport and land crossing rules before travel.
Sources (9)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Timor-Leste Customs Authority: Obtaining a Visa
- Migration Service: Migration and Asylum Law 11/2017 — indexed official extracts read; direct PDF retrieval unavailable
- Migration Service: Visa application form and checklists — indexed official extracts read; direct PDF retrieval unavailable
- Official Tourism Portal: Visas and Documentation
- Official Tourism Portal: Arrival Card and Customs e-Declaration
- Customs electronic Single Window: Arrival declaration portal
- TradeInvest Timor-Leste: Investment Guide 2023, visas and permits
- Government of Timor-Leste: Migration Attachés Now Authorized to Issue Visas, 19 June 2024
- Government of Timor-Leste: Official embassy directory
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C E F IAdapter for some
- MoneyUSD $
- Time+7h
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguagePortuguese
Planning your Timor-Leste trip
Best time to go: June to October is the dry season. The wet season, from November to May, can damage roads and make remote areas hard to reach.
- Nino Konis National ParkThis eastern park protects tropical lowland rainforest and a rich coastal environment. It also has prehistoric sites.
- Atauro IslandSee local fishermen using traditionally made goggles and spear guns. The island is also known for wooden sculptures and handicrafts.
- Jaco IslandThis island near Tutuala attracts divers, snorkelers and visitors interested in nature.
- Portuguese heritageFortresses, churches and other monuments from Portuguese rule are scattered across the country.
Scams to watch for in Timor-Leste
- Phone and bag snatching by passing ridersA person on a scooter or motorbike grabs a phone or bag from someone walking along the street. An exposed phone can also be grabbed from someone riding a motorbike, especially in slow traffic.
- Excessive taxi fare demandsA driver demands an excessive fare from a passenger who does not know local prices. Higher evening fares and the higher metered price of Blue Taxi are normal price differences and do not by themselves mean a scam.
- Imitation tais sold among local handicraftsImitation tais are sold among the market's woven cloth and handicrafts. Some come from Indonesia. A buyer seeking locally made Timorese cloth may mistake an imitation for the real item.
About Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste is a republic on the eastern half of Timor, at the southern end of Southeast Asia.
- Capital
- Dili
- Money
- United States dollar ($)
- Languages
- Portuguese, Tetum
- Time zone
- UTC+09:00
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +670
Other Africa passports
Going to Timor-Leste
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Timor-Leste with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Timor-Leste?
South African citizens get a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste, for up to 30 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Timor-Leste?
Up to 30 days each visit with the visa on arrival rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Can I get the Timor-Leste visa at the airport?
Yes. South African citizens get the visa when they land in Timor-Leste. Carry cash for the fee, a passport photo, your return ticket and hotel details.
Do east timorese citizens need a visa for South Africa?
East Timorese citizens need a visa for South Africa, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Timor-Leste?
Cape Verde, Algeria, Angola, Benin Botswana, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Timor-Leste are easier for south african citizens?
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand Cambodia, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Timor-Leste?
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo. Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
What money is used in Timor-Leste?
United States dollar ($). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Timor-Leste?
Portuguese and Tetum.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck