When traveling to Tunisia, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Tunisia, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend a business meeting, seminar, or conference
• » Attend and participate in a trade show
• » Participate in classroom training
• » Purchase goods for sale outside the country

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Tunisia?

Nationals of the European Union, the United States, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Tunisia on a short-term basis.

If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver, you must obtain a Short-Term Business Visa from a Tunisian Embassy or Consulate prior to travel. Please consult with your immigration counsel to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver or Short-Term Business Visa.

What types of activities require work authorization?

Foreign nationals may perform productive work activities while on assignment in Tunisia with a Business Visa or visa waiver on a short-term basis without obtaining work or residence authorization, as long as they are not remunerated in Tunisia. The following are examples of professional activities permitted under the exemption:

• » System installation
• » Technical repairs/maintenance
• » Participating in or facilitating technical training
• » Technical oversight
• » Consulting
• » Market integration

 
Foreign nationals are advised to consult with their immigration counsel prior to travel to verify that their intended activities are permitted without obtaining work authorization.

If I am traveling to Tunisia for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on the industry in which the entity in Tunisia operates. Foreign nationals are generally required to obtain work authorization through an Employment Contract (Contrat de travail visé par le Ministère de l’Emploi) approved by the Ministry of Professional Training and Employment.

In some cases, foreign nationals are not subject to the standard Employment Contract process and requirements, and may obtain work authorization through a Certificate of Non-Submission to an Employment Contract (Attestation De Non Soumission Au Visa du Contrat De Travail). Eligibility depends on a number of criteria, such as the position and nationality of the assignee and the activity in which the sponsoring Tunisian company is engaged.

Please contact your immigration counsel for an individual assessment to determine the appropriate form of work authorization.

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

Algerian nationals are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Tunisia. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Tunisia.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2020 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.