Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Schwaigern
Posts: 91
Timor Leste Visa

Hi everyone,

even though I was very sure I posted this yesterday already (senile at 21, where's that supposed to end? ) I will do it again. If it was deleted by a mod or admin than sorry, don't know what was wrong with it and didn't get a warning:

Yesterday I was driving a few comfy hours through beautiful sunshine until I got rejected at the land border between Indonesia and Timor Leste. They told me I need this magial piece of paper called Letter of Approval. I have not even thought about that Visa as problematic at all, never heard about problems, so that was a massive and unwelcome surprise.

"New Rule, very dumb." was the very comforting thing the Indo-officer told me when I turned around, apparently having to return to Kupang.

With a big 4 Leter word written in red in front of my face I made it back to the first Indo town with Internet and googled for this magic paper.

It actually is true: Tourist & Business Visa | Immigration Service of Timor-Leste

So now I have two options:

- either apply online and get a letter e-mailed after "10 days". (Reports I found online were more settling for 30-40 days, if at all answered.

-or drive back to Kupang and eiher get a visa or the letter (Reports differ greatly on the consulate in Kupang, some say they are helpful, others say they are as corrupt as it gets, and others still said,they just don't do anything at all.

So my question is, does anyone have any experience with the consulate in Kupang, the visa, the letter or an unmarked trail over the border and contacts with a stamp for the carnet ?

Oh and of course, just to make matters worse my Indo Visa will expire, and I have extended it already until the 6 month maximum.


Cheers
Tim
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne / Oz
Posts: 180
Hi Tim,

I went the other way, but heard about this visa on arrival procedure change. I met a guy who was rejected at the border, he rode back to Kupang and got the approval letter very quickly.
We used a small border crossing in the south. But you still need this approval. Crossing was very quick and border staff on both sides friendly and helpful. The border on the East Timor side was only container offices...

Sorry, can't give you better information about the "approval letter".

Cheers,
Frank
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: on the road
Posts: 37
enjoy kupang

hi tim,

you definitely need that visa-applikation.
http://migracao.gov.tl/?page_id=119#ADVANCE
the border (last year) is not korrupt and you need the indo-exit-stamp no?
1 day overstay in indo is 200.000 ir and it takes 6 hrs ride to the border.
me (and i heard from other travellers) got the letter after 24 hrs but you have to write more emails where you describe your situation, the consulate in kupang is not responsible for that letter.

good luck!
sabine
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Schwaigern
Posts: 91
24hrs sounds far more promising. Thanks for the fast replies.

But as it is eastern (of course I had to do this during national holidays ) and Kupang ain't to far from Atambua or whatever town was I stayed in for a night of thinking and some mild swearing, I drove back to Kupang as I can also write my e-mails here but on top I have the chance to pick up a Visa.

Consulate is obviously closed for easter-monday (still tried it though).

I talked to Timor Travel and Hofmin Meda, the Lavalon Guide, and they both say a Visa takes 3 days. If that prooves to be true I will not even bother with the letter, pick up the Visa and leave the next day straight through to the border. If all goes as planned (yeah yeah call me naive, it's the youth) I still have one more day as a backup for breakdowns.

Fingers crossed. And thanks a lot for the fast help.

At least I do the waiting in a town with great food.

cheers
Tim
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Apr 2011
Chancer's Avatar
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 19
Hi Tim,

I did exactly the same as you at the end of October last year. Seems they changed the rules about visas being issued at the land border at some point during 2010. The good news is that the guy in the consulate in Kupang was helpful and I didn't need any letter, just scanned copies of the completed visa forms and a copy of my passport.

The process for this was to email these documents to 2 people, Mr Gomez and Ms Moriera who then processed the visa application. They still tell you it will take 10 days but I spoke to Ms Moriera who was really helpful and I got mine in 3. I also heard of another guy who got his in 2 days so as long as nothing has changed in the last 6 months you should be on your way to Timor Leste in no time.

Enjoy Kupang (again)
Cheers
Trev
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Schwaigern
Posts: 91
I will receive my visa on friday, which is just early enough, and that already needed a lot of talking.

They officially say 5 days, which cause of the weekend would have meant monday. But after talking them deaf for around 2 hours they agreed to hand me the thing, for it is not a visa, on friday. The real visa you still get at the border. So it is probably still just this letter of Approval. But it is free.

So it gets a little tight, but I will make it out before the visa expires.

thanks to all of you
tim
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Feb 2012
Motocimek's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London/UK
Posts: 36
Timor leste border crossing

I was trying to cross the border recently with no letter and they turned me back to Kupang. Next day I brought printed out and filled application in person to Timor Leste consulate there and was told, to come back after 3 days. Same day I applied over internet and had confirmation with info that they will answer within 10 days. Next day I appear in consulate again asking to speed up the process a little due to extraordinary situation. They tell me to come 3 hours later and then issued authorisation letter for me strait away. They literally printed it out using data from my passport. With no checking anything or calling to anyone at all. I crossed the border same day with no problem.

I think consular is in power to decide who to give a letter to if any, all this waiting time is just the rubbish making the whole procedure more official.

3 weeks later I got email from Timor Leste Ministry of Foreign Affairs that to issue authorisation letter for me they need to see copy of booked flight out ticket. They didn't know about decision of consulate in Kupang, they didn't contact each other and no one had checked who crossed the border and when. The crossing has no internet or even telephone fitted, it's just a container.

By me it's all about officially looking sheet of paper. If I printed out one myself I would probably crossed the border with no problem too.

More details on my blog
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Border crossing from East Timor to West Timor farsidemc Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 10 27 Nov 2011 13:05
East Timor skip Australia / New Zealand 9 22 May 2008 06:01
Timor 2 Oz... pecha72 Trip Transport 0 25 Feb 2008 07:51
East Timor into Indonesia skidder Route Planning 7 28 May 2006 10:02
Timor to Oz! Tamsin Trip Transport 1 30 Jul 2003 04:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:06.