Moving to Botswana from Timor-Leste

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Timor-Leste to Botswana — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Timor-Leste to Botswana, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Tswana.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Timor-Leste to Botswana.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TL
4.1
BW
10.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TL
12.0
BW
16.5

Timor-Leste performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

TL
$461
BW
$1,310
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

TL
7.7
BW
3.8

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in health coverage index.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

TL
61.0
BW
55.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TL
0.5t
BW
2.7t

Timor-Leste generally does better on environment, though Botswana leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

TL
0.0
BW
4.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

TL
28.3%
BW
2.4%

Botswana performs significantly 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

TL
1.5%
BW
23.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TL
$4,600
BW
$17,500

Botswana 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

TL
69.9 yrs
BW
65.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TL
33.7
BW
25.2

Botswana generally does better on family life, though Timor-Leste leads in life expectancy.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Timor-Leste passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Botswana.
Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting Timor-Leste

Visa on Arrival
Botswana passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Botswana?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Botswana has 4.2 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Botswana safe for expats?

Timor-Leste performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Botswana is 10.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 4.1 in Timor-Leste.

How is healthcare in Botswana compared to Timor-Leste?

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in health coverage index. There are 3.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Botswana, compared to 7.7 in Timor-Leste. Botswana scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Timor-Leste: 52).

What language do they speak in Botswana?

The official languages in Botswana are English and Tswana. In Timor-Leste, the official languages are Portuguese and Tetum.

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At a Glance

TL BW
Population 1,445,006 2,384,246
Currency United States Dollar ($) Botswanan Pula (BWP)
Languages Portuguese, Tetum English, Tswana
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +670 +267
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999