Birthactive
Original citizenship at birth through a Timorese parent
Birth to a Timorese parent creates original citizenship under the Constitution. Additional birth-in-territory rules apply for certain parentage and declaration cases.
Citizenship routes
Ancestryreviewed
Naturalizationreviewed
Birthreviewed
Investmentreviewed
Naturalizationactive
Naturalization as the spouse of a citizen
A spouse married for at least five years, with two years of continuous residence, may acquire nationality, instead of ten.
Sources: Timor-Leste Citizenship Law (Migration Service PDF)
Ancestryactive
Timorese citizenship through a Timorese parent
A child of a Timorese father or mother is an original citizen under the Constitution, including many births abroad in the direct line.
Sources: Timor-Leste Constitution (Constitute Project) · Timor-Leste Citizenship Law (Migration Service PDF)
Naturalizationactive
Naturalization after ten years residence
Adults generally need usual and regular residence for at least ten years after 20 May 2002 (or qualifying pre-1975 residence), official language ability, livelihood, good character, and knowledge of Timorese history and culture. Occupation-era transmigration residence does not count. Grant is discretionary.
Sources: Timor-Leste Citizenship Law (Migration Service PDF)