Work permit

The foreigners wishing to work in Tunisia need work contracts endorsed by the Ministry for Professional Training and Employment or a certificate that proves that they are not subject to work contract.

The nationals of the Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Libya) are exempted of this formality.

To be endorsed, the work contracts have to be drawn up according to a standard model and jointly signed by the employer and the foreign employee in triplicate.

Any foreign national employee working in Tunisia on a contractual basis can freely transfer 50% of his salary, compensations or bonuses after paying all relevant taxes.

Are not subject to work contracts :

• Foreigner employers
• Foreign employees born and permanently based in Tunisia
• Employees working in the following sectors :

- Off-shore banks and financial organizations
- Oil companies
- Totally exporting companies
- Companies operating in the free zones

Visas

The visas are obtained from Tunisian diplomatic missions and consulates overseas :

• Transit visa : 7 days
• Visa of entry : valid up to 3 months
• Visa of stay : valid up to 6 months

The natives of the Arab countries, the European Union, North America and Japan do not need visa of entry in Tunisia.

Residence permit

For a stay in Tunisia exceeding six months, it is necessary to obtain a residence permit, which is delivered during the first year of residence for a period of 1 year. It must be renewed with each work contract.

The renewal grants the recipient up to 5 years of residence.