While the people are welcoming, it can take more than a day to clear in and up to a day to clear out. Timor Leste is a relatively new country, changes will take time so be patient and polite.
Dili, the capital, is the official entry/exit port for yachts visiting Timor-Leste. Yachts must notify Customs 24 hours prior to arrival in Dili by voice message or SMS to either of the following phone numbers: +670 7546 2519 and/or +670 7836 1463.
On arrival, the following flags should be hoisted:
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.
Papers for clearance into Timor-Leste:
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 Harbour Master clearance. Offices are at the main shipping port. Port Authority. The Immigration office is in a white shipping container. The Customs office is also there, but often the officials are to be found elsewhere.
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.
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 2025
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
As a free member or guest you are restricted to 3 formalities per month. You have viewed 0 formalities this month. Please login, register or upgrade your membership to view more.
Note: you can still view formalities you have already viewed this month without counting towards your monthly limit.
