Consular Affairs

Telephone: + 670 333 9601

Antonito de Araujo, Director of the Division
email: aaraujo@mnec.gov-tl.net

Julio da Costa Freitas, Consular Protection, Juridicial and Social Services
email: jdacosta@mnec.gov-tl.net

João Paulo Rangel, Community Affairs and Visa Services
email: jcamara@mnec.gov-tl.net

Paulo da Costa Ximenes, Finance/Administrative
email: pximenes@mnec.gov-tl.net

The division of Consular Affairs and Timorese Community is the unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation responsible for the management of consular posts, international relations concerning consular matters, as well as coordinating and implementing politics safeguarding the interests of Timorese citizens residing, working, traveling, or studying abroad.

The tasks of the Division of Consular Affairs include:

• Guiding and supervising the activities of the consular posts;
• Ensuring that consular functions abroad are conducted in strict accordance with the Ministry’s instructions;
• Participating in defining, coordinating, and implementing policies that support Timorese communities abroad;
• Proposing, promoting, and implementing programs and activities that support Timorese citizens living abroad within the framework of the policies implied above, in conjunction with various public and private entities, and also with any national and/or international organisations that may be relevant;
• Ensuring that the Ministry is represented at inter-Ministerial commissions and other national bodies whenever consular issues are involved;
• Proposing the opening and closure of consular posts in consultation with other Departments of Foreign Affairs;
• Proposing the appointment and termination of duties of honorary consuls and following-up their activities;
• Proposing the delimitation of the areas of jurisdiction of the consular posts.

The responsibilities listed above of the Division of Consular Affairs are accomplished in various ways, which include:
Consular Protection, Legal Assistance, and Social Services

• Certifying and legalising foreign documents for use in Timor-Leste;
• Directing and monitoring the deeds and functions of civil registry undertaken by consular posts;
• Dealing with issues of nationality processed by the consular posts in coordination with other relevant government agencies in Timor-Leste;
• Addressing issues relating to assets, compensations, and pensions to be granted to Timorese citizens living abroad, in close coordination with other government agencies authorised to deal with these matters;
• Providing appropriate legal and social assistance to Timorese citizens abroad;
• Proposing and implementing policies and programs that safeguard the interests of Timorese citizens abroad.

Timorese Community Affairs Abroad:

• Promoting and implementing cultural activities among Timorese communities abroad;
• Supporting the social activities of Timorese communities in their host countries;
• Collaborating with relevant agencies, government or otherwise, in order to promote Timorese culture abroad;
• Monitoring the activities of Timorese organisations and groups abroad;
• Collecting information relating to Timorese communities abroad;
• Promoting and supporting initiatives aimed at fostering the social integration of Timorese communities abroad.

Visa Services:

• Attending to any issues relating to the issue of visas by consular posts in consultation with the relevant government departments;
• Initiating negotiations and participate in their implementation concerning consular conventions, visa abolitions, and other entry procedures;
• Ensuring the confidentiality of all information relating to any visa application.

Consular Financial Administration:

• Verifying the fee schedule of consular-related charges and deposit the fee received, working together with other relevant services;
• Assessing and recommending both the human and financial resources required by consular posts and sections;
• Examining and recommending programs, as well as budgets, in order to promote the cultural and economic activities of Timorese abroad;
• Processing any financial matters concerning visa issues, consulting with other government departments.