TUNISIA – Expats in GCC Countries Now Eligible for Visa-on-Arrival
Effective immediately, foreign nationals holding residence visas from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries no longer require consular visas to enter Tunisia and are now eligible for visas-on-arrival valid for stays of up to 15 days. Visas-on-arrival are reportedly now available to GCC expats at all Tunisian airports and border crossings.
Requirements
To qualify, foreign nationals must present the following documents to border authorities upon arrival:
- Valid passport;
- Residence visa/permit issued by one of the GCC member nations valid for six months from the date of entry into Tunisia; and
- Hotel reservations or other proof of accommodation in Tunisia.
The measure now allows an estimated 25 million foreign residents of GCC countries to enter Tunisia without first obtaining a consular visa prior to travel. GCC nations include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Tunisia has thus far maintained its neutrality in the recent boycott of Qatar. Thus, the present measure includes foreign nationals residing in Qatar. However, given the ongoing boycott, expats in Qatar are encouraged to reach out to their Immigration Specialists prior to any travel to other Middle Eastern and North African nations to confirm that entry requirements have not changed.
