Timor Leste
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Timor Leste
Pet Entry Requirements for Timor Leste
Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, mostcountries require that pets be microchippedand compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country. Your pet must be identified with a 15-digitwhich is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Timor-Leste. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide athat will read their pet’s microchip. All required documents must reflect your pet’s microchip number. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.
Vaccinations
All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Timor-Leste. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin: a rabies certificatea government-issued vaccination booklet oran EU Pet Passport
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination. All dogs and cats entering Timor-Leste must have a rabies titer test administered by a licensed veterinarian. Your pet can enter Timor-Leste no sooner than 3 months after the date the blood sample is taken.(Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip prior to the titer test.) If your pet is not currently vaccinated for rabies, it should wait for 30 days after the vaccination is administered before having the rabies titer test. All blood samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Import Permit
Importers must file an Import Permit after the rabies titer test results are received.
Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Timor-Leste. The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer within 14 days of import. External parasites should be treated within 7 days of import. These treatments are required. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information: details of your pet andvaccinations and treatments andveterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export. Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel, as no open wounds, and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin. A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 30 days of entry. Your pet must also be inspected within 48 hours of transport. Related: A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Complete all 6 steps to enter Timor Leste with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Timor Leste?
Not specified
What Additional Information Do I Need for Timor Leste?
- Other Information:
Not specified
- Pets in Timor-Leste:
In Timor-Leste, pet ownership is not as common as in some other countries, but there are still individuals and families who keep pets, particularly dogs and cats. Access to veterinary services and pet supplies may be limited, particularly in rural areas. Pet owners should consider this fact should further travel be planned. Veterinarians at Dili Alpha-Dog Veterinary Clinicin Dili may be able to assist should blood tests or treatments be necessary.
- Flights to Timor-Leste:
There are very few commercial airlines that serve pets and fly to Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili. The most direct flight is via Air North from Darwin, Australia. Flights to Timor-Leste should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Timor-Leste pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies titer test, import permit, and international export health certificate. Details of all Timor Leste pet import requirements can be found in the steps below.
- Entering Timor-Leste by Air:
Pets entering Timor-Leste must enter as air cargo via Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili. Note that, if there are no direct flights from your pet’s originating country, then all transits or layovers should be through approved countries. Notice: As of this writing, the most common routing for air shipments to Dili is via Air North from Darwin, Australia. Although the pets would only transit Australia, that country has very strict regulations governing any animal landing on Australian soil. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply. Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours. Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Timor Leste, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering Timor-Leste. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
- Find a Licensed Veterinarian:
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.
- Timor-Leste Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to Timor-Leste must be completed in the country of origin. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
- Animals Eligible for These Regulations:
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree. Unless your pet was born in or resided in arabies-free countryor arabies-controlled countryfor 6 months prior to import, it will be refused entry.
- Breeds Banned for Import to Timor-Leste:
Timor-Leste does not publish a list of banned breeds; however, it would be advised to obtain preapproval if importing a dog that is classified as dangerous. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.
- Quarantine for Pets Entering Timor-Leste:
Fourteen days of quarantine will be imposed on all pets, even if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.
- Importing Other Pet Animals to Timor-Leste:
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Timor-Leste. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to Timor-Leste:
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. They must be vaccinated after 3 months of age and conform to all Timor-Leste pet import requirements stated here. Related:More information on transporting a puppy.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is crucial if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences

Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Timor Leste last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.

Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Timor Leste was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!