Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Tunisia

Tunisia
Tunisian Republic

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 None Multiple 60 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A 3
H-2B None N/A N/A 3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 60 Months
R-2 None Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Please check back for update.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

 

Available: Yes, only when the birth was reported and recorded by a civil authority.

Fees: 0.50 TD

Document Name: Birth certificates (Extrait de Naissance)

Issuing Authority: Office of the Registrar (Bureau de l'Etat-Civil)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Government stamp

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar (Officier de l'Etat-Civil)

Registration Criteria: Hospital record

Procedure for Obtaining: Compulsory registration of births of Tunisian Muslims and Tunisian Jews began on December 30, 1908. This measure was extended on August 1, 1957, to all births, regardless of faith, nationality or race. Birth certificates (Extrait de Naissance) are obtainable from the Office of the Registrar (Bureau de l'Etat-Civil) where the birth occurred.

Certified Copies Available: Not applicable, one can request an original at any time.

Alternate Documents: Family Books are also available.

Exceptions:  Not available

Comments: Persons of European descent born in Tunisia before August 1, 1957, whose births were not recorded with the appropriate Office of the Registrar may have their births recorded in their respective Consulates in Tunis. The French Consulate in Tunis appears to have records of all French citizens as of January 1, 1920. The Italian Consulate in Tunis maintains records of birth from 1873, provided the birth was reported.

 

Death Certificates
 

Available

Fees: 0.50 TD

Document Name: Death Certificate (Certificat Deces)

Issuing Authority: Office of the Registrar (Bureau de l'Etat-Civil)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Government stamp

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar (Officier de l'Etat-Civil)

Registration Criteria: Death attestation issued by registered doctor.

Procedure for Obtaining: They are obtainable from any Office of the Registrar (Bureau de l'Etat-Civil).

Certified Copies Available:  Not applicable, originals are available at any time.

Alternate Documents:  Not applicable

Exceptions: Not applicable

Comments: None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

 

Available: For all marriages celebrated in Tunisia on or after August 1, 1957, regardless of the race, religion, or nationality of the contracting parties.

Fees:  1TD

Document Name: Marriage Certificate (Certificat de Marriage)

Issuing Authority: Office of the Registrar (Bureau de l'Etat-Civil)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Government stamp

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar (Officier de l'Etat-Civil)

Registration Criteria: Automatically registered if married at town hall. If married by notary/bailiff, the notary/bailiff will register the marriage.

Procedure for Obtaining: They are obtainable from any Office of the Registrar (Bureau de l'Etat-Civil).

Certified Copies Available:  Not applicable, originals are available at any time.

Alternate Documents:  Family book

Exceptions:  Not applicable

Comments:  In order for a foreign national to get married in Tunisia, the non-Tunisian will have to produce his or her passport, birth certificate, proof of legal capacity to enter into a marriage contract, and a prenuptial marriage certificate (certificate pré-nuptial/ chahadatou el tobya li ittimam el zaouaj الشهادة الطبية لأتمام الزواج ). The groom and the bride must be 18 and over. If the bride was previously married, at least three months must have elapsed since her last divorce before she can register a new marriage.

The civil marriage takes place at the registrar (Mairie/ Baladya البلدية) at any local town hall (في أي بلدية كانت ليس بالضرورة التابعة لمكان الاقامة). A civil marriage certificate (certificate de marriage/madhmoun zaouaj مضمون الزواج) is provided. Copies of the marriage certificate are available from any town hall in Tunisia.

For traditional marriages, the contract is signed by a notary public (Notaire/Adel ichhad عدل اشهاد), and a marriage contract (contrat de marriage/aked zaouaj عقد زواج) is issued.

This marriage contract is not valid unless it is registered at the Town Hall (Mairie / Baladia البلدية). After registering the marriage at the town hall, the bride and groom may obtain a civil marriage registration (Certificate de marriage/, madhmoun zaouaj مضمون زواج).

Marriages which took place prior to August 1, 1957:

With regard to Tunisian Muslims or Tunisian Jews: If the marriage was celebrated before the magistrate in charge of the Office of the Registrar, application should be made to the office (Bureau de L'Etat-Civil) where the marriage took place. If the marriage was celebrated by a Cadi or a Rabbi or before two Muslim or Rabbinical notaries, the parties may apply for their marriage certificates or notarial acts to the Tribunal of First Instance of the place where the marriage took place.

With regard to persons of European descent: If their marriage was celebrated before the magistrate in charge of the Office of the Registrar, application should be made to the office (Bureau de l'Etat-Civil) where their marriage took place. If the marriage was celebrated by the Controleur Civil, the marriage record may be obtained from the French Consulate General in Tunis.

The Prelature of Tunis maintains records of all Catholic marriages celebrated in Tunisia.|
 

Divorce Certificates
 

Unavailable: There is no divorce certificate. The court will issue a divorce decree in the jurisdiction where the divorce took place. The court will then notify the registrar so that the next time a birth certificate is requested it will say Divorced. Without this a person will not be able to remarry. Many people take the decree directly to the registrar because of delays between the court and registrar. 

Adoption Certificates

 Adoptions are possible, but there is no certificate, just a court order. 

Identity Card

Available

Fees: 03 TD (25TD if old card is damaged/lost/stolen).

Document Name: ID Card (Carte d’Identite Nationale)

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Information not available

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Police station where issued

Registration Criteria: Tunisian citizens over 18 years of age, (different card for residents)

Procedure for Obtaining: Police station with birth certificate, work certificate, proof of residence (utility bill), and photos.

Certified Copies Available: Not applicable

Alternate Documents:  Passport

Exceptions:   Not available

Comments:  All Tunisian citizens are fingerprinted when applying for an ID card.  This card then becomes the basis for applying for a Tunisian passport.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police and Prison Records
 

Available

Fees: 3TD

Document Name: An extract from the Judicial records (Extrait du Casier Judiciaire/Bulletin N3) The service is now also available online on the ministry of interior website. (Costs 10TD including shipping)

Issuing Authority: Direction de la Surete Nationale, Service d'identification, Tunis

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  Green banner for no record, red banner for criminal record

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Directeur de la Police Technique et Scientifique

Registration Criteria:  A combined police and prison record is available to:

Nationals of Tunisia;

Foreigners born in Tunisia; and

Foreigners presently residing in Tunisia

Procedure for Obtaining: The interested party must file an application either directly to the above-named issuing service or to the Tunisian Embassy or Consulate abroad having jurisdiction over the place of residence of the applicant. In support of such a request, the applicant must present an identity document such as a birth certificate, identify card, passport, etc.

Certified Copies Available: Not necessary, originals are available at any time.

Alternate Documents: Not available

Exceptions:  The Tunisian authorities do not issue police records to former foreign residents, unless they were born in Tunisia. In the case of a former foreign resident not born in Tunisia, the Tunisian authorities transmit any criminal record or other derogatory information to authorities with jurisdiction over the foreigner's birthplace.

Comments: Police record is for military and civilians alike.

Military Records

Available

Fees: Unknown

Document Name: Discharge Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Defense

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Information not available

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Information not available

Registration Criteria:  Information not available

Procedure for Obtaining: Request from recruitment and mobilization dept. in Omrane

Certified Copies Available:  Yes

Alternate Documents:  Information not available

Exceptions: Information not available

Comments:  None

Passports & Other Travel Documents

The Government of Tunisia considers as valid, only those Tunisian passports issued on or after July 26, 1985.

Types Available:  Regular, diplomatic, special (official)

Fees: 80TD for regular (25TD for students and children under 6 years old; 150TD if old passport is damaged/lost/stolen), others are free

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority:  Ministry of Interior for regular and special, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  Regular passports are green, Special passports are red, and Diplomatic passports are blue.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The Ministry of Interior for regular and special passports; The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic passports.

Registration Criteria:  Adults: ID card; Children need to have parental authorization.

Procedure for Obtaining: Police station with documents

Alternate Documents:  Emergency travel document while abroad

Exceptions:  No exceptions

Comments: None

Other Documents Available:  Not available

Other Records

Not applicable.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Tunis, Tunisia (Embassy)

Address:  Berges du Lac, Tunis, Tunisia

Phone Number:  +216 71 107 000

Visa Services: NIV, IV

Comments / Additional Information:  None

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Tunisia

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.