Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Timor-Leste, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Timor-Leste’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Timor-Leste are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Timor-Leste, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. If you are suspected of criminal activity, the law provides that you may be incarcerated for up to one year pending the criminal investigation. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in Timor-Leste, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Timor-Leste remains in a state of transition. The country faces continuing challenges that limit its law enforcement capability. Many civil and governmental institutions are still being developed with international assistance. As a result, if you encounter problems while traveling or doing business in Timor-Leste you may find it difficult to identify legal or administrative remedies.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Timor-Leste. You can exchange money at the three foreign banks in Dili, but only to or from the Indonesian Rupiah, Euro, British Pound, Australian Dollar, Singapore Dollar, and Japanese Yen. Only a few establishments accept credit cards, usually requiring a substantial additional fee, and you should be prepared to settle all bills in cash. Dili has several ATM machines that accept U.S.-issued bankcards. However, you should not plan to rely exclusively on these machines, as they are frequently inoperative and can charge high fees.

If you intend to travel to Australia from Timor-Leste, you should be aware that the Australian immigration authorities require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance of arrival. For more information, please consult the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship's website.

Timor-Leste is socially conservative and you should avoid wearing revealing clothing, particularly in crowded public areas such as markets.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There is no legal protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Timor-Leste. However, since 2009, the penal code specifies that crimes motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation (as well as ethnicity, religion, disability, etc.) may be subject to higher penalties. Although there are some openly gay public personalities, LGBT individuals generally maintain very low profiles. An LGBT organization exists, and there have been no formal reports of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, due in part to limited awareness of the issue. Discrimination may be underreported due to the lack of recourse stemming from the absence of formal legal protections, and a lack of formal legal protections.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Timor-Leste, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Although the Timorese Constitution guarantees the same rights to disabled citizens as it does to all other citizens, Timor-Leste does not currently have legislation that mandates access to transportation, communication, and public buildings for persons with disabilities. Currently most public places and public transportation are not accessible. Persons with disabilities will face difficulties in Timor-Leste as foot paths, rest rooms, road crossings, and tourist areas are not equipped for people with disabilities.