Last reviewed: May 2026. We refresh this guide whenever Tunisia’s visa policy changes.
Quick Answer
Most travelers do not need a visa to enter Tunisia. If you hold a passport from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union (except Cyprus), Japan, the Gulf states, or any of about 116 visa-exempt countries, you can enter Tunisia for up to 90 days simply by showing a valid passport at the airport — no advance application, no fee, no paperwork.
Citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list now have the option to apply through Tunisia’s new electronic visa platform launched following the international tender opened in late 2024, or via a Tunisian embassy or consulate.
The rest of this guide breaks down which category you fall into and what to do about it.
The Three Doors Into Tunisia
For visa purposes, every visitor to Tunisia walks through one of three doors. Figuring out which is yours takes about thirty seconds.
- Door 1 — Visa-free entry. You show up at the airport, present your passport, get an entry stamp, and you’re in. Roughly 116 nationalities qualify.
- Door 2 — eVisa. You apply online before you fly, receive an approval by email, print a copy, and travel.
- Door 3 — Embassy or consulate visa. You apply in person at the Tunisian diplomatic mission in your country of residence. This is the slowest and most paperwork-heavy route.
Almost every traveler from a Western or Gulf country walks through Door 1.
Visa-Free Entry — Who Qualifies
If you hold a passport from one of the countries listed below, you do not need a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days. Just bring your passport (valid for at least six months past the date of entry) and a return or onward ticket.
Europe
All European Union member states (Cyprus is the one exception — Cypriot citizens still require a visa) plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Russia, and several non-EU European states. Germans can stay up to 4 months without a visa. Bulgarians up to 2 months. Greeks up to 1 month. Everyone else: 90 days.
The Americas
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada (Canadians get up to 4 months), Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and the United States.
Asia and the Gulf
Bahrain, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
Africa
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Comoros, the Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, the Seychelles, and South Africa.
Oceania
Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, and New Zealand.
Special cases
- Iran and Iraq: Visa-free for tourism for up to 15 days within a 180-day period.
- GCC residents: Holders of a valid Gulf Cooperation Council residence permit can obtain a 15-day visa on arrival, even if their own passport would otherwise require one.
If your nationality is on this list, you are done. Skip to the section called What You Need at the Airport below.
Organized Tours — The Group-Travel Exception
Citizens of a small group of countries who would normally need a visa can enter Tunisia without one if they travel as part of an organized tour with a confirmed hotel booking. The group leader presents the hotel voucher at immigration on behalf of everyone.
This exception currently applies to nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
The New Tunisian eVisa
In September 2024, the Tunisian government launched an international tender to build a national electronic visa platform. The project, supported by the African Development Bank as part of Tunisia’s broader Tunisie Digitale strategy, is now rolling out — and changes the picture for travelers from countries that aren’t on the visa-exempt list.
What the eVisa replaces. Until recently, anyone outside the visa-free list had only one option: travel to a Tunisian embassy or consulate in their country of residence, hand in a paper application, and wait. For travelers from countries with limited Tunisian diplomatic presence — much of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia — that meant a long, expensive process before they could even buy a flight.
What the eVisa offers. A short-stay tourism visa applied for fully online, processed in approximately three working days, valid for a single entry, and delivered by email as a printable PDF. You travel with the printout and the same passport you used to apply.
Who can use it. Nationals of countries that are not on Tunisia’s visa-exempt list. The eligible-nationality list is being expanded in phases. Check the official platform (the URL will be published by the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs once final rollout is announced) for your country.
What you’ll need to apply.
- A passport valid for at least six months past your planned date of entry.
- A passport-quality digital photo.
- Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or letter of invitation).
- Proof of onward or return travel.
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
- A credit or debit card to pay the visa fee.
Fees vary by nationality and visa type. Single-entry short-stay visas are the most affordable; multi-entry and long-stay categories cost more.
The Traditional Embassy Visa — Still Required for Some
If your nationality is not visa-exempt and not yet covered by the eVisa rollout, you’ll still need to apply in person at a Tunisian embassy or consulate.
Documents typically required:
- Completed application form (downloadable from the embassy website).
- Valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity and two blank pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs.
- Flight booking and hotel reservation.
- Bank statements covering the last three months.
- Visa fee, paid by money order in most jurisdictions.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Processing typically takes 5 to 21 working days. Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before your planned travel date.
What You Need at the Airport
Whatever door you came through, every traveler entering Tunisia is checked on the same handful of things at the airport. Get these right and your entry takes minutes.
- Passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. This rule is now firm — since Q1 2025, Tunisian authorities require a valid passport for all tourists, with no substitutes accepted.
- A Tunisian Arrival Card, distributed in-flight or at the airport. Fill it in before reaching immigration.
- Proof of onward or return travel. A printed copy of your flight booking back is enough.
- Proof of accommodation. A hotel booking confirmation, an Airbnb reservation, or a letter from your Tunisian host.
- For visa holders: a printed copy of the visa (whether eVisa PDF or the consulate-issued sticker).
Immigration officers occasionally ask to see proof of funds, especially for younger travelers. Carrying a screenshot of your bank balance or a recent statement saves time if you’re asked.
Suggested Read: Is it Safe to Travel in Tunisia? What Is Like Tunisia Now?
Common Mistakes That Get People Turned Away
Three things, repeatedly:
Passport validity under six months. This is the single most common reason travelers are denied boarding by airlines flying into Tunis-Carthage. The airline checks before you board. If your passport expires within six months of your planned entry date, you do not fly.
No printed return ticket. Open-ended itineraries trigger questions at immigration. Bring printed proof.
Mismatched eVisa details. A single typo on the passport number when you applied for an eVisa is enough to delay your boarding — airlines treat eVisa mismatches as the passenger’s responsibility, not theirs. Double-check before you submit.
Staying Longer Than 90 Days
The standard tourist entry — visa-free or via eVisa — covers up to 90 days. To stay longer for work, study, family reunification, or residence, you need a different category:
- Long-stay visa, applied for at a Tunisian embassy before travel.
- Residence permit (carte de séjour), applied for from inside Tunisia at a regional office of the Ministry of the Interior, typically with employer sponsorship, university enrollment, or family ties.
In-country extensions of a tourist stay are not granted casually. If you are likely to need more than 90 days, sort it out before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Tunisia?
No. US citizens can enter Tunisia visa-free for tourism stays of up to 90 days. You need a passport valid for at least six months past your entry date and proof of onward travel.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Tunisia?
No. UK passport holders enter Tunisia visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. The post-Brexit change did not affect Tunisia’s visa policy toward British travelers.
Do EU citizens need a visa for Tunisia?
No, with one exception: Cypriot citizens still need a visa. All other EU passport holders enter visa-free, typically for 90 days. Germans get a longer 4-month allowance.
Does Tunisia now have an eVisa?
Yes — Tunisia launched an international tender to develop its national eVisa platform in September 2024, and the system is rolling out for nationals of countries not covered by visa-free entry. It is not needed by travelers from visa-exempt countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, etc.).
How long can I stay in Tunisia without a visa?
90 days for most visa-exempt nationalities. Germans and Canadians can stay up to 4 months. Iranians and Iraqis are limited to 15 days within a 180-day period.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Tunisia?
For most visa-required nationalities, no — Tunisia does not generally issue tourist visas on arrival. The exception is residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries holding valid GCC residence permits, who can obtain a 15-day visa on arrival regardless of their underlying nationality.
What happens if I overstay my Tunisia visa?
Overstaying carries a daily fine that must be paid before you can exit the country. Significant overstays can also result in a future travel ban. Don’t.
Do I need a vaccination certificate?
Tunisia requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate only from travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. No other vaccines are mandatory for entry.
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