Do China passport holders need a visa to visit TL?
Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa for Timor-Leste, but can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Dili's Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (or Dili Sea Port) for USD 30. There is no visa-free entry for ordinary passports. Travelers arriving overland (e.g. from West Timor, Indonesia) cannot get a visa at the border and must obtain a Visa Application Authorization in advance. As of May 2026, holders of an ordinary People's Republic of China passport are not visa-exempt for Timor-Leste (only Chinese diplomatic, official and service passports enjoy a 30-day visa waiver). For tourism, the practical route is a visa on arrival, granted to nationals of countries that are not visa-exempt when they arrive by air at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, or by sea at the Dili Sea Port. The visa on arrival is single entry, costs USD 30 (cash), and permits a stay of up to 30 days. It can be extended once for a further 30 days by applying to the immigration office (Ministry of Interior) in Dili at least 15 days before expiry; the extension fee is USD 40. To be granted the visa, travelers must hold a passport valid at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least one blank page, present a completed arrival card, and be able to show a genuine purpose of visit, accommodation, an onward/return ticket, and sufficient funds (immigration guidance references roughly USD 150 per day). Important caveat: the visa on arrival is only available to those entering by air or sea. Travelers entering Timor-Leste by land (the only land crossings are from Indonesian West Timor) must first obtain a Visa Application Authorization, typically arranged through the Timor-Leste consulate in Kupang, Indonesia, before reaching the border. There is no general electronic visa for ordinary tourists; online channels are mainly for work or other long-stay categories. Sources are broadly consistent that ordinary Chinese passport holders are eligible for the visa on arrival at the airport.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.