Citizens of Timor-Leste (East Timor / Timor Lorosa'e) must obtain a Tanzania e-Visa before departure. Timor-Leste is listed as an eligible nationality in Tanzania's e-Visa system. The application is entirely online at eservices.immigration.go.tz, costs USD 50 for single entry, and takes 3-10 business days. Since Timor-Leste uses the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency, there is no exchange rate conversion needed.
Do Timorese Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, citizens of Timor-Leste require a visa to enter Tanzania. Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002, holds a relatively young passport programme. Timorese passport holders are eligible for the Tanzania e-Visa, which is the primary and most convenient option since Tanzania has no resident embassy in Dili (Timor-Leste's capital).
Tanzania's e-Visa portal explicitly lists Timor-Leste as an eligible nationality — Timorese citizens select "Timor-Leste" in the nationality dropdown when applying.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Timorese Citizens
- Valid Timor-Leste passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your departure from Tanzania, at least 2 blank pages)
- Recent digital passport photo (white/light background, JPEG format)
- Return or onward flight ticket from Tanzania
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, safari lodge, or host invitation letter)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement showing minimum USD 500)
- Complete travel itinerary
- Valid email address for visa delivery
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for Timorese Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 |
| Transit Visa | USD 30 |
Timor-Leste uses the US Dollar as its official currency. The USD 50 fee is paid directly without any currency conversion — a practical advantage for Timorese applicants.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Official portal — Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz
- Create an account — Register with your email address
- Select visa type — "Tourist e-Visa" and Timor-Leste as nationality
- Enter passport details — Full name as printed in your Timor-Leste passport, date of birth, passport number, expiry date
- Upload documents — Passport bio-data page scan, digital photo, flight confirmation, hotel booking
- Review carefully — Ensure all information matches your passport
- Pay USD 50 — Credit or debit card accepted (USD base, no conversion needed)
- Save reference number — Email confirmation arrives immediately
- Await approval — 3-10 business days; check spam folder
- Print your e-Visa — Carry the printed approval with your Timorese passport
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from issue date; single entry allows up to 90 days in Tanzania.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for Timorese Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Pre-applied) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Apply from Timor-Leste | Yes | No |
| Queue on arrival | No | Yes |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Embassy required | No | No |
| Recommended | Yes | Backup only |
Timor-Leste-Specific Travel Notes
No Tanzania Embassy in Dili:
Tanzania does not maintain a resident embassy in Timor-Leste. The online e-Visa is the only realistic option for Timorese citizens. If consular support is needed, the nearest Tanzanian embassy covering Southeast Asia is typically through Jakarta (Indonesia) or Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
Flights from Timor-Leste to Tanzania:
No direct flights exist between Dili (DIL) and Tanzania. The journeys are long and require multiple connections:
- Dili (DIL) → Darwin (DRW) or Bali (DPS) → Dubai (DXB) → DAR: Via Australia or Bali to a Gulf hub
- Dili (DIL) → Singapore (SIN) → Addis Ababa (ADD) → DAR: Ethiopian Airlines from Singapore
- Dili (DIL) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Doha (DOH) → DAR: Via Malaysia and Qatar
Total travel time from Dili to Tanzania: approximately 24-36 hours, making it one of the more challenging travel journeys in this list.
Currency for Timorese travellers: As Timor-Leste uses USD, there is no pre-departure currency conversion needed for the e-Visa fee. Inside Tanzania, USD is widely accepted for tourist services. TZS is used for local purchases.
Tanzania eVisa requirements for Timor-Leste: The visa-tanzania.com SERP result specifically mentions requirements for Timor-Leste, confirming that Tanzania has a structured process for Timorese applicants.
Timor-Leste's own visa system: Timor-Leste operates a Visa on Arrival and e-Visa system for visitors arriving in Dili. This is unrelated to the Tanzania e-Visa process.