Decree-Law No. 27/2025 establishing the Organisational Structure of the Migration Service.

This Decree-Law approves the new organic structure of the Migration Service of Timor-Leste, replacing the previous organisational framework in order to strengthen the institution’s capacity to manage migration, border control, asylum matters and the stay of foreign nationals in the country. The law responds to increasing cross-border mobility, growing tourism and foreign investment, as well as emerging security challenges, including irregular migration, trafficking in persons, transnational crime and terrorism. Its primary objective is to modernise and reinforce the institutional, legal and operational capabilities of the Migration Service so that migration flows can be managed in a secure, orderly and regular manner while supporting national development and international cooperation. To achieve these aims, the law establishes a comprehensive organisational structure for the Migration Service, defining its functions, powers and internal departments. It assigns responsibilities relating to border management, visa administration, asylum and refugee procedures, residence permits, migration intelligence, criminal investigations connected with migration offences, documentary verification, international cooperation and information management. The decree also strengthens administrative oversight, planning, inspection, training and technological capacities, including the use of biometric systems and migration databases. By creating specialised operational, legal, administrative and technical units, the law seeks to improve coordination, efficiency, transparency and security in the implementation of Timor-Leste’s migration policies and border governance framework.