Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor)

It is unclear whether Timor-Leste imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Timor-Leste does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

The Immigration Service of Timor-Leste provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant. 

However, the Migration Service visa application form includes among the required documents to apply for all visas a medical certificate confirming good health, and it also has a field to self-disclose tuberculosis. It is not clear if it includes tests for HIV or other STIs.

The Law on Migration and Asylum (Law No. 11/2017), in its Article 23, establishes as one of grounds for refusal of entry: ‘a well-founded danger or serious threat to public health’. Furthermore, Article 73 states among the grounds for expulsion offences ‘against national security, public order or public health.’ However, there is no suggestion that these provisions would result in people living with HIV being denied entry or deported.

It is unclear whether Timor-Leste imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Timor-Leste does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

The Law on Migration and Asylum (Law No. 11/2017), in its Article 43 establishes that “the visa application shall be accompanied by all the evidence necessary for the type of visa being applied for, namely: […] A certificate of physical and mental robustness, when applying for a temporary stay visa for students and specialised activities, work, class II business, temporary stay for family members or establishment of residence.’

It is not clear if this would involve HIV testing or disclosure.

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Timor-Leste based on HIV status.

The information to apply for a visa to establish residence, required to apply for a resident permit, provide a list of supporting documents that should be included with a residence permit application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Timor-Leste. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.

In Timor-Leste, access to healthcare for non-nationals largely depends on whether they are residents or temporary visitors. The healthcare system is still developing, with improvements being supported by international organisations like USAID, which has worked to expand and sustain local healthcare infrastructure to support universal health coverage goals. Foreign residents, particularly those employed by organisations within Timor-Leste, can access public healthcare but often turn to private healthcare providers for a higher standard of care or specialised treatment options not widely available in the public system​

For short-term visitors, medical access is more limited; they are encouraged to secure travel health insurance covering medical evacuation, as facilities for advanced or emergency care are scarce outside the capital, Dili. Public health initiatives, such as those promoted through the Timor-Leste National Health Sector Strategic Plan, aim to make healthcare accessible at both primary and referral levels, although gaps in service quality and availability remain challenges​

HIV treatment in Timor-Leste is available primarily through the Ministry of Health, with services concentrated in major urban centers like Dili. Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV testing has expanded in recent years, with organisations like UNAIDS and Maluk Timor working to improve HIV prevention, testing, and care in the country. Maluk Timor, a key health-focused NGO, collaborates with Timor-Leste’s healthcare providers to deliver HIV care and education, especially to address stigma and improve community awareness.

The National Strategic Plan for HIV and STIs in Timor-Leste includes expanding “90-90-90” targets, aiming to diagnose and treat more individuals effectively, even though service gaps still exist, especially in rural areas. Efforts to support HIV testing and counseling through healthcare initiatives are ongoing, and testing services are available in TB and antenatal clinics, where provider-initiated testing is offered as well. For ongoing treatment and support, HIV-positive individuals can find ART and support services primarily in Dili, with expanding access in other regions.

For more information, check Maluk Timor’s website on their HIV initiatives.

• UNAIDS
• US Department of State
• Immigration Service of Timor-Leste
• Law No. 11/2017
• Maluk Timor