TunisiaFamily

Tunisia spouse visa and residence card through marriage

Residence card on the basis of marriage (spouses of Tunisians and of residents)

In short

A foreigner married to a Tunisian citizen, or joining a spouse in Tunisia, applies to the National Security services for a residence card on the basis of marriage. The file rests on a marriage certificate drawn up by a Tunisian authority or legalised by the foreign ministry; if the spouse will also work, they need their own endorsed contract or non-subjection certificate.

checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Processing time
Within one month at most with a complete file.
Work
Only with a separate work authorisation; spouses of Tunisians have their own contract-visa category.
Family
Children born in Tunisia and children of a Tunisian mother or father appear in specific work-permit categories.
Where to apply
In Tunisia, at the National Security services covering your address, after lawful entry.

Conditions

The Ministry of the Interior applies three general conditions to every residence card: the applicant is a foreigner, entered Tunisia lawfully, and respects the rules on entry, stay and work. For marriage, the decisive document is the marriage certificate. It must have been drawn up by a Tunisian authority, for example a marriage concluded before a Tunisian civil registrar or notary, or, for a marriage concluded abroad, legalised by the services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Spouses who are nationals of visa-exempt countries enter for up to 90 days without a visa and should lodge the file within that period; others enter with a visa and file before it expires.

Documents for the marriage residence card

The ministry's checklist: the marriage certificate (Tunisian or legalised); if the spouse is salaried, an endorsed employment contract or a certificate of non-subjection to the contract visa; a copy of a valid passport; proof of accommodation; four identity photos; and the completed 'visa - residence card' form. The form records the applicant's parents and their nationalities, the spouse's name and nationality, and any children under 16.

Legalisation of a foreign marriage certificate goes through the foreign ministry's services.

Required documents

Identity

  • Four identity photos
  • Completed 'Demande de visa - carte de séjour' form

Travel

  • Copy of a valid passport

Family

  • Marriage certificate drawn up by a Tunisian authority or legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Other

  • Proof of accommodation

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Work

  • Endorsed employment contract or non-subjection certificate, if the applicant is salaried

Filing and decision

The file goes to the National Security district (Sûreté nationale) covering your address, the place the ministry names for all ordinary applications. With all documents present, the ministry undertakes to decide within one month. The form carries a box for the receipt number of the fiscal stamp, so ask the office which stamp to buy before you go.

  1. Marry before a Tunisian authority, or have your foreign marriage certificate legalised by the Tunisian foreign ministry services.
  2. Enter Tunisia lawfully, visa-free for up to 90 days if your nationality is exempt.
  3. Gather the passport copy, proof of housing, four photos and the completed form.
  4. Lodge the file at the National Security district covering your address before your permitted stay ends.
  5. If you will work, have your employer file the spouse contract-visa request with the Ministry of Employment.

Forms

Working as the spouse of a Tunisian

The marriage card alone does not authorise salaried work. The Ministry of Employment, however, has a dedicated contract-visa category for spouses of Tunisians, without the certificate that no Tunisian candidate is available. The employer files the signed contract, its investment declaration or trader's card, tax registration and latest CNSS declaration, together with the spouse's passport copy, the marriage contract, the birth certificate of the Tunisian spouse and/or of the children born in Tunisia, and two TND 5 stamps.

People with a Tunisian mother or father who are not Tunisian citizens fall under a separate 'social cases' category with its own checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Is a marriage certificate from abroad accepted?

A marriage concluded abroad must be legalised by the services of the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it can support the residence card; a certificate drawn up by a Tunisian authority is accepted directly.

Can I work once I have the marriage card?

You need a work authorisation as well, but spouses of Tunisians have their own contract-visa category that does not require proof that no Tunisian candidate is available.

How long does the decision take?

The Ministry of the Interior decides a complete residence card file within one month at most.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Tunisia

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days for visa-exempt nationals; for visa holders, the period granted in the visa.

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days visa-free for exempt nationals; otherwise the stay granted in the visa.
  • Investor visa Processing time: Residence card: within one month at most with a complete file.

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: For the academic year of enrolment; renewal files are due by 30 September.

Work

  • Work visa Processing time: Residence card: at most one month with a complete file. No time limit is published for the work authorisation.

Residence

  • Retirement visa Processing time: Within one month at most with a complete file.
  • Residence permit Processing time: Within one month at most with a complete file.

Tunisia visa guide