East Timor
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is a newly established state. It received its independence in 2002. Diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and East Timor were established in 2003. Bulgaria does not have its own embassy in the capital city of Dili, and East Timor does not have an embassy accredited to Bulgaria from a third country. The Bulgarian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, serves Bulgarian citizens in East Timor.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Indonesia
Address: Jakarta 10310, 34-36, Jalan Imam Bonjol
Telephone: + 62 21 390 40 48; + 62 21 391 31 30
Telephone/fax: + 62 21 390 40 49
Office hours: Mon to Fri, 8:30 – 14.30 h
Consular - Office hours ( upon request in advance): Monday – Friday 9.30 – 12.30
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/indonesia
General information
general information
Local currency
US dollar
Crime Level and Security
Beware! Increased security risk! You are strongly advised not to travel to East Timor, except when absolutely necessary.
East Timoris still at the stage of establishing its state and institutions. In 2008, the country's President was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt. 2011 again saw major upheaval in the country. Since 2006, the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor UNMISET has been in charge of maintaining order and security in the country.
Widespread crime and high levels of poverty create risks for the security of foreigners visiting the country. Travelling outside the capital Dili is not safe. The situation along the western border is particularly risky because of the continuing armed clashes between militias and local authorities.
If you need to take trips inside the country, please beware of the poorly developed tourist infrastructure. You are strongly advised, before venturing on a trip outside the capital, to enquire about the current situation in the area you are about to visit. Updates on the situation in the country are available on the UNMISET website HERE.
Emergency telephone numbers: 112 - a single number for all emergencies; +670 723 0365 - United Nations Police
Customs Regulations
You can freely bring into the country personal effects such as a mobile phone and laptop, any goods worth up to $ 300 per person, up to 200 cigarettes, and up to 2.5 litres of alcohol. There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can bring into or take out of the country. Credit cards can be rarely used because of the extremely small number of ATMs.
There are no customs restrictions on the export of money or goods.
Local Laws
Overall, it is acceptable for unmarried couples to share a hotel room in the country. Homosexuality is not prohibited by local laws. It is nevertheless advisable not to demonstrate homosexual relations in public.
Road Travel
The road network is in very poor condition. During the rainy season some roads in the mountainous regions become impassable.
In East Timor, there is no organised bus service yet, but many bus drivers would offer their services. The buses they drive are however crowded and in poor technical condition. Taxis and rental cars are widely used in the capital city.
Health
Diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are wide spread in East Timor, as well as the Japanese encephalitis (spread by mosquitoes). Medical facilities are substandard. It is advisable to carry the most essential medicines and supplies in your luggage.
The hospital in Dili can provide emergency medical assistance, and the Portuguese Embassy also has a medical centre, but more serious diseases and complications would require evacuation to Darwin (Australia) or Singapore, so we recommend that you make sure you hold an insurance policy that would cover such expenses.
Climate
The climate is tropical, hot and humid (up to 80% humidity). Two seasons (dry and rainy) alternate. The rainy season lasts from November to April. The average annual temperature is 21 degrees. Tropical cyclones are common. The dry season from May to October is the most suitable for travel. Rains are heaviest in January and February.
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens can travel to East Timor with a valid passport and visa.
Important! All types of Bulgarian passports must be valid for at least 6 (six) months after the date of entry into East Timor. If your passport has less than 6 (six) months of validity from the date of entry, you will not be allowed on the territory of East Timor.
Holders of ordinary Bulgarian passports can obtain a single entry visa ("visa on arrival") at the airport or seaport in the capital Dili. The visa fee is $ 30 and provides a 30-day stay in East Timor. The visa can be extended twice, for another 30 days each time, for a fee of USD 35 per extension.
"Visa on arrival" is not issued at land border crossings with Indonesia. If you intend to get into East Timor at one of the border crossings with Indonesia, you must obtain a visa in advance. The same applies to travelling in the opposite direction: Indonesian authorities do not issue visas at the border with East Timor, and if you intend to travel to West Timor (a province of Indonesia), you will need to obtain an Indonesian visa in advance.
If you intend to travel to Oecusse District by road (and not on the ferry that connects the capital Dili with the district), you will need two additional tourist visas and a double-entry transit visa for Indonesia.
Additional information about visas for Indonesia and particularly about crossing the land border between East Timor and Indonesia is available on the website of the Indonesian Embassy in Dili HERE.
Additional information on visa and consular matters is available on the Immigration Service of Timor-Leste website HERE.
When travelling to East Timor, you must present a return airplane ticket or the ticket to your next destination. On leaving the country, you have to pay an airport fee of $ 10.
There are no specific vaccine requirements on entry into East Timor, except for yellow fever if the traveller is arriving from a yellow fever-infected area. For further information please contact the Bulgarian National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases at: + 359 2 944 69 99 / 221.
Competitive service
Emergency Travel Document
In emergencies, if their passport gets damaged, lost or stolen, Bulgarian citizens in East Timor can apply for a temporary EU passport with the Portuguese diplomatic post; Portugal is the only EU country with an embassy in East Timor.
Embassy of Portugal in East Timor:
Av. Presidente Nicolau Lobato - Edifício ACAIT, Dili
Telephone: +670 331 2532; +670 331 2533
Fax: +670 331 2526