I was trying to cross the border recently with no letter and they turned me back to Kupang. Next day I brought printed out and filled application in person to Timor Leste consulate there and was told, to come back after 3 days. Same day I applied over internet and had confirmation with info that they will answer within 10 days. Next day I appear in consulate again asking to speed up the process a little due to extraordinary situation. They tell me to come 3 hours later and then issued authorisation letter for me strait away. They literally printed it out using data from my passport. With no checking anything or calling to anyone at all. I crossed the border same day with no problem.

I think consular is in power to decide who to give a letter to if any, all this waiting time is just the rubbish making the whole procedure more official.

3 weeks later I got email from Timor Leste Ministry of Foreign Affairs that to issue authorisation letter for me they need to see copy of booked flight out ticket. They didn't know about decision of consulate in Kupang, they didn't contact each other and no one had checked who crossed the border and when. The crossing has no internet or even telephone fitted, it's just a container.

By me it's all about officially looking sheet of paper. If I printed out one myself I would probably crossed the border with no problem too.

More details on my blog

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http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/cimek/1/tpod.html