Explore: East Timor (Timor Leste) - Formalities
Clearance
Dili, the capital, is the official entry/exit port for yachts visiting Timor-Leste.
On arrival, the following flags should be hoisted:
- Code flag Q
- Yacht National Flag
- Timor-Leste courtesy flag (if available).
You may then proceed to the yacht anchorage on the port side of the main wharf. The yacht anchorage is located at approximately S8° 33.10’ and E125° 34.5’. Take particular note of the small reef in the center of the yacht anchorage area. After entering the harbor you will notice two yellow quarantine buoys on your port side. These are NOT to be used by vessels as they have shifted during heavy weather and now sit on top of a reef.
Inwards Clearance Procedures
Papers for clearance into Timor-Leste:
- Yacht Registration Certificate
- Crew list
- Passports
- US$30 per crew member for Visa fees
- Port Clearance from your last port of call.
After anchoring, the captain and all crew should go ashore and report to the Maritime Police on the foreshore of Dili Bay. They are open between the hours of 09:00-16;00 (with normally a long break for lunch).
Follow the directions of the Maritime Police, which will generally be to proceed to the Dili Port Authority for inwards Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, Health and Port clearance. All CIQP officials have offices at the Dili Port Authority. The Customs office is by the gate to the Post, in front of the Hotel Timor.
Customs and Quarantine officials will interview the captain of the yacht and decide whether they will be making an inspection of the vessel.
On completing inwards clearance, you will be provided with a Clearance Form stamped by Customs and Quarantine, plus a formal receipt for visa fees and a visa stamped in each passport.
A crew member must return to the yacht and take down the yellow “Q” flag and hoist the courtesy flag if you had to purchase it in Dili.
Latest reports indicate that clearance is quick and hassle-free. Ensure you submit copies of the various documents as they may not be returned.
A useful place to land the dinghy while clearing in is just to the left of the ramp to the car ferry.
Outwards Clearance Procedures
Go to the Dili Port Authority with all passports for outward processing. An Outward Crew List should also be provided. You will be processed through Immigration and Customs and provided with a Port Clearance from Dili. This Port Clearance will be needed at your next port of entry.
You will also be provided with a Sailing Authorisation for Timor-Leste waters. The Sailing Authorisation allows yachts (which have already cleared from Timor-Leste) to visit all waters and ports of Timor-Leste including Atauro Island and the enclave of Oecusse. The Port Authority/Harbour Master will issue Sailing Authorisations as yachts clear from Dili (and Timor-Leste). Sailing Authorisations are valid for a maximum stay of three months in Timor-Leste provided all crew have valid visa extensions for the period of the Sailing Authorisation.
For yachts traveling onwards to Indonesia, yachts are welcome to stop over at the Timor-Leste enclave, Oecusse, which is located on the north coast of West Timor (approximate co-ordinates S09° 10′ E124° 20′). Oecusse (also known as Pante Makassar) is almost equidistant from Dili and Kupang (approximately 90 NM from Dili and from Kupang). Oecusse will be automatically included on your Timor-Leste Sailing Authorisation so there is no need to decide about this destination in advance.
Last updated: July 2018.
Immigration
All foreigners seeking to enter Timor-Leste on a temporary visa are required to have a valid national passport with an expiry date not less than six months from the date of entry into Timor-Leste and at least two spare pages in their passport.
Each Crew Member will be issued with a 30 day Visa on arrival. This is free for most EU citizens but for UK, Irish and non-EU it costs US$30.
Visas may be extended prospectively for a further 30 days + 30 days (i.e. 60 days in total) for a further payment of US$35 per 30-day extension. The total cost for a Visa for a 90 day stay is US$100.
If a visa is obtained in advance, it is valid for 90 days. It can be done online at www.migracao.gov.tl/html/sub0202.php
See this useful Noonsite report on how to obtain a visa extension.
For further information regarding visa regulations go to the Timor-Leste Immigration Department website at www.migracao.gov.tl
Obtaining a visa for Indonesia:
Visit the Directorate General of Indonesia – Immigration website for information on visas for Indonesia.
Also, see this Noonsite report on how to obtain a social visa for Indonesia in Dili.
Last updated: July 2018.
Customs
Guns, firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited imports into Timor Leste.
Foreign currency must be declared. No more than the equivalent of US$2000 may be imported.
Duty-free alcohol and other goods are permitted as Ships Stores. However, like every other country in the world, you are not permitted to bring these goods ashore except as the individual duty-free allowance of crew members where the limit is strictly two litres of alcohol and one carton of cigarettes per person.
Last updated: July 2018.
Health
Malaria and dengue are common and precautions should be taken.
All water is suspect and should be boiled or sterilized.
Avoid contact with animals as they are generally not vaccinated and can transmit diseases. Use insect repellent, especially at dawn and dusk and sleep with a mosquito net.
Restrictions
Quarantine
Please do not bring any organic materials ashore (for disposal or otherwise) as this will infringe Timor-Leste’s quarantine regulations and protocols.
Local Customs
Timorese traditions of clothing are modest. Garments above the knee (for both men and woman) are rarely acceptable in a professional or traditional social occasion.
Dress standards mean a lot in Timor-Leste. Smart casual clothes are ideal, especially when dealing with officials and it is best not to wear expensive jewellery when you are out and about.
When visiting remote islands or villages, basic protocols and respect for local customs and people should be adopted.
It is polite to wait until your host invites you to sit down or to eat and drink.
Clearance Agents
Pets
No quarantine period required.
Customs Clearance Officer requires a certificate (not more than seven days old) from a Veterinarian stating that the pet is in good health and vaccination records are current.
NB: If travelling via Australia they have very strict regulations.
