Visum for Timor Leste
 

We recently got some confusing information about the visum for Timor Leste (coming overland from Indonesia).

We heard the following three options during the last weeks:

1. you can just ride up to the border and you get a visum on arrival.

2.you have to apply for a "visa permission" before, and it can easily be done online...

3. you have to go to the embassy either in Denpassar or Kupang, and apply there - but it will take at least 3 days...

We didn't trust No.1 - so we did No.2. Our email could not be delivered, and we tried several times (mailbox full). We then sent it again through the online formular - but never got an answer.... also no answer when we ask about the status.
We will now probably try No. 3 in Kupang.

Who has some recent experiences?

One year ago we did it online through the form, 4 month no answer, after this we send daily reminders to them and got it fast (don’t forget to insert your picture, sign and scan and send it). I don’t remember if we needed it at the border actually. It is not needed when you come from AU to Dili but the other way around I don’t know. But you don’t want to find out when u r there... It´s a not so nice and a long way away from Kupang... Actually I red from people here which were send back at the border... but don’t remember 100%

If you cannot get it online, try in Kupang and tell them you boat from Dili is already booked and you cannot wait for 3 days... (worked for others...)

Cheers

It's option 3. At least it was last February when I did it. Took two days as I asked politely...

Thanks for the heads up! We will probably try Kupang as well.

We went to the consulate today, and it is true: you have to apply for the visa at the consulate before you go to the border. They will definitely send you back at the border if you turn up without the permisson letter.

These are the GPS coordinates of the consulate in Kupang: S 10 09.863, E 123 36.495

Bring a passport photo, a passport copy, and if you have it a bank statement.

We didn't have a bank statement, so we just told them we have two big bikes and showed them our dollars - and it also worked. They also asked for a flight ticket, but accepted that we don't have one, when we explained our way of travelling.

Usually it takes 3 days - but we told them that we need it more urgently, because we had to wait so long for the ferry from Flores, and now our visas are expiring and we have to leave the country.... finally he agreed that we can pick it up by tomorrow afternoon. Hope it works out, because the story with our visas is true - and an overstay in Indonesia costs 20 Dollars per day per person... fingers crossed!

There were no fees at the consulate and we didn't have to wait... just fill out the form, that's it.....

I will try Denpasar, because I need to extend my Indonesian visa there.