Moving to Timor-Leste from American Samoa

moving to

What to Expect

A comprehensive look at what changes when you move from American Samoa to Timor-Leste — from daily expenses to quality of life.

If you moved from American Samoa to Timor-Leste, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese and Tetum. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Timor-Leste

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

How American Samoa and Timor-Leste stack up on safety, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

per 100,000 people per year

AS
0.0
TL
4.1

American Samoa performs better than Timor-Leste across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

AS
0.0t
TL
0.5t

American Samoa performs better than Timor-Leste across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

AS
40.3%
TL
39.0%

American Samoa performs better than Timor-Leste across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

AS
29.8%
TL
1.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

AS
$11,200
TL
$4,600

American Samoa generally does better on employment & economy, though Timor-Leste leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

AS
75.3 yrs
TL
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

AS
10.1
TL
33.7

American Samoa performs better than Timor-Leste across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between American Samoa and Timor-Leste. To live, work, or study long-term in Timor-Leste, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Timor-Leste's immigration authority.

Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting American Samoa

Visa Required
Timor-Leste passport holders need a visa to enter American Samoa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Timor-Leste?

Working remotely from Timor-Leste's major cities is generally feasible. The legal layer matters more — visa category, employer policy on overseas employees, and tax residency in American Samoa and Timor-Leste.

Is Timor-Leste safe for expats?

American Samoa performs better than Timor-Leste across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Timor-Leste is 4.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.0 in American Samoa.

What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?

The official languages in Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In American Samoa, the official languages are English and Samoan.

Share this

At a Glance

AS TL
Population 45,443 1,445,006
Currency United States Dollar ($) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English, Samoan Portuguese, Tetum
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1684 +670
Time zones 1 1