Why you need a Tunisia Visa
If you have never considered visiting Tunisia before, now is an excellent time to look in that direction. Located in North Africa, the Tunisian sandy shoreline is greeted by the Mediterranean Sea and its air scented by beautiful Jasmine flowers.
The Tunisian state boasts several historical attractions such as the massive El Jem Amphitheater and an array of delightful traditional dishes. Tourists, students, and business owners all have a place in Tunisia. To visit Tunisia, you need to find out if you need to apply for a visa or not.
Do you need a visa to visit Tunisia?
Depending on your citizenship, you might be eligible to enter the country without applying for a visa. About ninety-seven countries are allowed to have up to 90 days of visa-free stay in Tunisia. This list includes the United States, Russia, Argentina, European Union countries (except Cyprus), and Australia. To see the entire list of countries exempted, click here.
However, the duration allocated may differ in certain countries. German and Canadian nationals can visit Tunisia for up to four months. While Bulgarians are permitted to stay for two months visa-free and citizens of Greece are allowed for a month.
If your country isn’t on the exempted list, the following headings will guide you through the Tunisia visa application process.
Visas Commonly Issued
The common visas granted by the competent authorities are short-term and long-term visas.
Permit for short-visit
This visa is available to travelers visiting Tunisia that will not stay on Tunisian territory for a duration exceeding 90 days. Persons visiting for social events, tourism, or business gain access into the country with this authorizing paper.
Permit for long-visit
Intending visitors desiring to have access to the Tunisian territory for more than 6 months of the year, you can apply for a long-term visa. With this visa in hand, you can apply for a residence permit. There are two types of residence permits issued; Temporary and Permanent residence permits.
Other visa types issued
Return Visa:
If you have been granted permanent residence in Tunisia and you wish to leave the country for a period longer than six months, you are expected to obtain this visa
Failure to do this may risk you losing your residency permit in the territory.
Exit Visa:
This visa is issued to individuals who have obtained a permit to temporarily be resident in Tunisia when they desire to leave the country.
Transit Visa:
This visa is issued to individuals whose travel route includes a brief stop at the Tunisian territory before journeying to a third country.
You are allowed seven days in the Tunisian territory before you leave.
The following persons are exempt from obtaining a transit visa:
- Citizens of visa-exempt countries
- People traveling by sea that remain in the ship while they are on Tunisian territory
- Those that do not leave the transit areas of the Tunisian airport when they land to change planes.
Official papers required
You are expected to make these papers available for your application:
- Obtain an Application Form
This is where your application begins. You can obtain a copy of this document at a Tunisian embassy/consulate. All mandatory fields must be filled with the appropriate information.
- International Passport
It is pertinent that you submit a valid passport along with accompanying documents. The visa, when issued, will be affixed to the passport. Hence, your passport should have at least one blank page. Additionally, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your application.
- Passport-sized photographs
You must provide one or two recent passport-sized photos. The number needed depends on the consulate handling the process. These photos must be colored, and the setting of the image should be plain (preferably light grey or light blue). Use of glasses and other accessories that may cover the face is not allowed, and the image print must be of good quality. The size of the image should be 35mm × 45mm.
- Proof of Return
A return ticket or anything similar must be provided. This gives the consulate officials some assurance that you plan to leave Tunisia at the end of your stay.
- Evidence of Accommodation
You must have proof of a place to stay in Tunisia. This can be in the form of hotel reservations. If you were invited by a national in Tunisia, a letter of invitation must be attached.
- Proof of financial stability
Your bank statement or a letter from a sponsor is required. This serves as proof to the consulate staff that you can handle your financial needs during your stay in the country.
- Health Insurance for travel
You are advised to get health insurance coverage for your travel. This will come in handy in cases of unforeseen health challenges during your stay in the country.
- Proof of payment of processing fees
It is required that you provide proof of payment for processing. Whether you paid with cash at the consulate or made a bank transfer online, the transaction’s receipt is needed.
General Steps for Tunisia Visa Application
Highlighted below are general steps for the application process. It should be noted that the processes involved may change due to the diplomatic mission in charge of the process.
- Contact a Tunisia embassy or diplomatic mission in your country of residence to book an appointment.
- Obtain the visa application and fill it appropriately.
- All required paperwork (documents) should be made available.
- The application form and accompanying documents are submitted at the embassy.
- Pay the stated fees for processing.
- Wait patiently for the visa to be processed.
- Pick up the visa.
Cost of visa and Processing Fee
The is no standard fee charged for the procurement of a Tunisian visa. Consulates in respective nations worldwide have a set fee they charge, which differs from others. Thus, when you contact the embassy in your country of residence, the amount to be paid will be communicated.
Covid-19 Travel Guidelines for Tunisia
Due to the spread coronavirus pandemic, it became necessary for governments all over the globe to the inflow of people into their territory to avoid further spread.
If you wish to visit Tunisia at the moment, you are expected to adhere to these guidelines:
- Irrespective of where you are coming from, if you hope to visit Tunisia, you need to take a covid-19 test (PRC test) before departure. And you must travel within a window of 72hrs after test results are obtained. A printed medical paper certifying your ownership of the result is required. It should be in French, Arabic, or English.
- Upon arrival and before boarding, a QR code obtained after a mandatory online form is filled must be presented
- All visitors are expected to install the Tunisian Government “Track and Trace” app
- In some cases, visitors to the Tunisian territory may be asked to self-isolate for 14days upon arrival. This may be at their residence, a quarantine facility, or an approved hotel.
This information is subject to change. For updates on any changes, visit the Tunisian Ministry of Public Health website.
Furthermore, general social distancing rules and the use of face masks in public places are still enforced.
Some Questions Usually Asked by Intending Visitors
Is the eVisa platform functional?
At the moment, No. The Tunisian government is working towards implementing an online application process that would make things easier for visitors. Until then, all applications are handled by embassies or consulates in respective nations.
What can I do to extend my visit?
You can extend your stay in Tunisia in Tunisia beyond 90days if you apply for a Visa Extension at a police station in Tunisia nearest to you.
No Tunisian embassy in my country, what can I do?
In a situation there is no diplomatic representation in your country of residence, you should find out if the Tunisian government has channeled all its visa applications through another embassy in your country or a company that handles visa applications.
However, if this isn’t also available in your country, you can send your application directly to the Tunisian consulate. If your application is approved, your visa will be mailed to you to be printed at the airport.
Can I apply when I arrive?
Tunisia does not offer this option. Only citizens of visa-exempt nations can travel to the country without applying for a visa beforehand. However, if nationals of visa-exempt countries desire to have an extended stay, they can apply for a visa upon arrival.
How long is the visa valid for?
A maximum validity period of three months (90 days) is offered. However, if you hold a long-stay visa, you can request a residence permit to extend your stay in Tunisia.