The Government of Tunisia has issued revised entry procedures and zone classifications, including the removal of the quarantine requirement for travelers from “green” countries. The government of Tunisia has indicated that they will review these procedures weekly. In addition, please note updated Embassy appointment and access procedures are detailed below.
Tunisian Procedures for Entry, Testing, and Quarantine due to COVID-19
The GOT has divided countries into three zones (red, orange, and green) based on the number of cases and epidemiological situation in each country. The list is revised every few days; for the most updated list, please visit the Observatoire National des Maladies Nouvelles et Emergentes (note – countries not specifically designated “green” or “orange” are considered “red”): https://www.facebook.com/ONMNE/.
- “Red List” Countries (including the United States): for individuals whose travel originates in a “red” country, only Tunisians and those with permanent residence status may enter Tunisia.
- “Orange List” Countries: for individuals whose travel originates in an “orange” country, Tunisians and tourists may enter Tunisia providing they present a negative COVID-19 lab test, with results received within 72 hours before travel to Tunisia and the analysis conducted no more than 120 hours prior to arrival.
- “Green List” Countries: for individuals whose travel originates in a “green” country, everyone may enter Tunisia without a test.
In addition to the testing requirement, all individuals from “red” and “orange” countries, regardless of nationality, are required to quarantine upon arrival. Tunisians coming from “orange” countries will be asked to observe a self-quarantine for two weeks at home. Tunisian citizens and permanent residents coming from “red” countries will be placed in mandatory quarantine centers for seven days and will be subjected to screening tests on the 6th day. Travelers from “green” countries can enter with no testing or quarantine requirements
At this time, the United States is considered a “red” country by the Government of Tunisia and U.S. citizens will not be permitted to enter Tunisia, unless they also hold Tunisian citizenship or a valid Tunisian residency permit. U.S. citizens who are able to enter Tunisia because of their dual citizenship or residency status, or because they are traveling from a “green” or “orange” country where they are resident, should expect to be placed in Tunisian government-managed quarantine centers; please note the U.S. Embassy cannot intervene if a traveler is placed in a quarantine facility. While the borders have reopened, full, regularly scheduled commercial flights have not been restored. U.S. citizens should contact specific airline companies regarding the resumption of commercial flights; the Embassy cannot assist with individual flight reservations.
Services Provided at and Requirements for Access to the U.S. Embassy
The U.S. Embassy Tunis consular section is providing appointments for applications for passport renewals and limited notarial services. We are currently able to process most passport applications within the normal 2-3 week timeframe. If you would like to schedule an appointment for one of these emergency services, please send an email to TunisACSAppointments@state.gov. For further updates, please check our website or Facebook page regularly.
Please note that any individual who meets any of the below criteria will not be permitted to enter the U.S. Embassy compound under any circumstances:
- Have traveled internationally within the past 14 days;
- Have come into contact within the past 14 days with an individual known or suspected to have contracted COVID-19;
- Have been ordered to be in quarantine or self-isolation, and that order has not yet been lifted; OR
- Exhibit one or more of these symptoms: cough, sore throat, fever, runny nose, sneezing, body aches, loss of smell or taste, shortness of breath, unless s/he can present proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
If you meet any of the conditions above, we kindly request that you reschedule your appointment for a later date by emailing TunisACSAppointments@state.gov.
The GOT and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Preventions continue to strongly recommend mask-wearing and respecting social distancing in public to help control the spread of coronavirus. Mask-wearing is a mandatory requirement for all individuals over the age of six who access the U.S. Embassy compound for an appointment. You will not be permitted to enter U.S. Embassy grounds without a mask.
U.S. citizens in Tunisia should:
- Monitor the Embassy’s website for the most up-to-date information.
- Enroll in STEP at STEP.state.gov to receive the latest updates from the Embassy.
- Follow the advice of the CDC and local health authorities that you can find at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
- Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Monitor the Department of State’s COVID-19 website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html
Other links:
Country Information and Travel Advisory page
