Saturday, June 29, 2024 Singapore passport holders are set to benefit from a new agreement allowing visa-free travel to Timor-Leste, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The agreement was formalized during a meeting between Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Timorese Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, who was on an introductory visit to Singapore. Under current regulations, Singapore passport holders must obtain a tourist visa for short-term visits to Timor-Leste.
However, the new mutual visa waiver agreement will exempt Singaporeans from visa requirements for stays of up to 30 days. This applies to holders of diplomatic, official, service, and ordinary passports. Similarly, Timor-Leste passport holders will continue to enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay in Singapore.
The MFA emphasized that this agreement aligns with the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and aims to strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations. During Mr. Freitas’s visit, he and Dr.
Balakrishnan reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Timor-Leste. They also celebrated the establishment of the Singapore embassy in Dili in April, which marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations. Both ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in several key areas: Mr.
Freitas also met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who reiterated Singapore’s support for Timor-Leste�.
