A method and an apparatus for controlling a waiting time related to determination of a radio link failure in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes receiving a message from a network, if a first timer for determination of the radio link failure is running and the message includes timer information related to the waiting time, starting a second timer related to the waiting time based on the timer information, and if the second timer expires before expiration of the first timer, determining a channel situation of a serving cell as a situation of the radio link failure.