Dili, 17 September 2026 (Media Democracia) – The Executive Director of the Immigration Service, Police Assistant Commissioner Jorge Monteiro, informed that during the period from January to August 2026, the total number of foreign citizens entering the national territory of Timor-Leste reached 282,304
He said that the distribution of foreign entries per month started from January with 34,012 people, February 27,364, March 31,739, April 34,895, May 35,917, June 40,302, July 42,017, and August 36,058.
“These foreign citizens come from various countries. In the list of countries with the highest number of entries, Indonesia occupies the first position with 82,193 people, followed by the People’s Republic of China with 11,340, Australia 7,312, Portugal 6,236, and the Philippines 1,682,” he said.
Police Assistant Commissioner Jorge Monteiro also informed that in the list of the top 10 countries with the highest entries, the United States of America registered 1,640 people, Malaysia 1,499, India 1,439, Japan 1,247, and Singapore 1,083.
While for the list up to 20 countries, the United Kingdom registered 886 people, Vietnam 728, South Korea 468, New Zealand 428, Germany 405, France 402, Russia 184, Israel 60, the Islamic Republic of Iran 12, and Turkey 11.
Besides that, during the same period, the Immigration Service also registered a total of 278,624 foreign citizens who left the national territory of Timor-Leste.
He added that in relation to visa issuance at the Immigration Service during the period of January to August 2026, the authorities issued a total of 135,170 tourist visas. This data also includes work visas and renewals, Class II business visas, temporary visas, stay and residence authorizations, according to the applicable issuance category.
On the other hand, the Executive Director of the Immigration Service said that for foreign citizens suspected of committing computer fraud crimes and who are in a judicial process, the Immigration Service received an order from the Dili Court of First Instance to ban them from leaving the national territory.
“The total number of foreign citizens subject to the court order is 132 people, composed of 79 citizens of the People’s Republic of China and 53 citizens of the Republic of Indonesia,” he informed.
He explained, this measure is applied because these foreign citizens are still in a judicial process and need to continue to face the process according to the law in Timor-Leste.
On the other hand, Jorge Monteiro said that during January to August 2026, the Immigration Service also applied entry refusals to a total of 82 foreign citizens.
“Entry refusal is applied to people who do not comply with the requirements to enter the national territory, including when the immigration authorities verify travel documents and requirements at land entry points, ports and airports,” he added.
The Immigration Service also carried out administrative measures against foreign citizens who violated visa conditions or stayed illegally in the national territory, through administrative expulsion and the procedure of voluntarily abandoning the national territory.
He stressed that disseminating information about immigration data and activities is important to give the public an understanding of the movement of foreign citizens entering and leaving Timor-Leste, and also about the implementation of immigration control according to the law.
Jounalist: Estefània Cardoso
Photo: Estefània Cardoso