Tunisia business visa

Citizens of the countries on Tunisia's exemption list, among them the EU states on the list, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, do not need a visa for a business trip of up to 90 days. They can attend meetings, visit suppliers or clients and take part in trade fairs on their passport, which must be valid for six months from entry.

Nationals of other countries apply for a business visa. The difference from a tourist visa lies in the supporting letter: instead of a hotel booking, the mission expects an official invitation from the host company in Tunisia.

The Tunisian embassy in Washington lists the file as follows: the visa application form completed and signed, a passport valid six months with a copy of its first page, one recent photo, proof of legal residence in the country of application, the official business invitation letter from the host in Tunisia, and the visa fee. Postal applicants add a prepaid return envelope.

The invitation should name you, the purpose and dates of the visit and the Tunisian company's details, so that the consulate can match it with your form, which asks for your address in Tunisia and the people you know there.

In Washington the business visa costs the same as every other visa type: USD 90 for one entry and USD 180 for multiple entries, payable by money order and not refunded. Allow up to 21 business days; the foreign ministry advises lodging consular formalities about three weeks before the trip. Fees are kept by the mission even when a visa is refused, so check the invitation letter and your residence proof carefully before filing.

Foreign investors preparing a project can ask the Ministry of the Interior's investor support unit (Unité d'encadrement des investisseurs) for information or intervention on an entry visa, a residence card or other administrative rules; its request form lists these services and asks for the company's tax number and field of activity. The Tunisia Investment Authority (TIA) also coordinates residence card and other formalities for the projects it follows.

Once a business trip turns into running or working for a Tunisian company, the visit status no longer fits: managers need a certificate of non-subjection from the Ministry of Employment and a residence card.