The two countries established diplomatic relations in July 2002. Timor-Leste opened an embassy in Vientiane in July 2014, and the plan to open a Lao embassy in Dili will complete the bilateral diplomatic relations.
Timor-Leste has allocated land and property in Dili for the future opening of a Lao embassy, following a land exchange agreement signed by the two countries in October 2024.
In August 2025, the two sides also concluded a visa waiver agreement, which now allows holders of diplomatic passports, officials and ordinary citizens to travel to each other without a visa for a maximum of 30 days.
Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister Agio Pereira expressed his gratitude for Laos’ support throughout Timor-Leste’s journey to ASEAN, which culminated in Timor-Leste becoming the group’s 11th member in October 2025.
The initiative to open the embassy was launched during the visit of Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsamouth Anlavan to Dili, Timor-Leste, from 18 to 22 January 2026.
The talks focused on accelerating the opening of the embassy and expanding cooperation in areas such as economic development, agriculture, technical training, and human resources. Both sides pledged to strengthen ties through institutional and political cooperation and regional cooperation.