Ordinary residence visa and card
carte de séjour ordinaire
The ordinary residence card is Tunisia's longer-term status for settled foreigners. It can be issued after five years of uninterrupted temporary residence, and to some family members of Tunisians. The card is valid for two years and renewable. Holders who stay abroad more than six months without a return visa lose the right of ordinary residence.
Life in Tunisia
Money
3
Currency
Tunisian Dinar
TND
Tunisian Dinar
Cost of living
33
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–40%
Income tax (national)
VAT 19%
40% applies above TND 70,000 a year; a social solidarity contribution adds the equivalent of one extra point on each bracket rate.
Living
1
Happiness
#103 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term residents, foreign wives of Tunisians, parents of Tunisian children, people born in Tunisia who have always lived there, and people who have rendered notable services to Tunisia.
Eligibility
Five years of temporary residence
You need to have lived in Tunisia under temporary residence for five years without interruption.
- Residence must be uninterrupted
- Based on Décret n° 68-198, art. 18(1) and Loi n° 68-7, art. 13
Official wording
Foreigners residing in Tunisia under temporary residence for five years without interruption (Décret n° 68-198, art. 18(1); Loi n° 68-7, art. 13).
Foreign wives of TunisiansSpouses of Tunisian men
Foreign women married to Tunisians (Décret n° 68-198, art. 18(2); Loi n° 68-7, art. 13).
Parents of Tunisian children
Foreigners who have Tunisian children (Décret n° 68-198, art. 18(3)).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementServices to Tunisia
- Document checklist'Demande de visa – carte de séjour' form
- FeesVisa and card fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 2 more requirements
- 2 documents
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Tunisia
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Official sources
- Recueil des textes juridiques tunisiens relatifs à la migration, édition 2017 (Office des Tunisiens à l'Étranger) – contains Loi n° 68-7, Décret n° 68-198, Décret gouvernemental n° 2017-1061, Code du travail arts 258–269, Code de la nationalité
- Ministère de l'Intérieur – Formulaire 'Demande de visa – Carte de séjour' (Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale)
Other routes to Tunisia
- Visit & tourismEntry visa / visa-free short stay
- Work permitsForeign worker employment contract
- FamilySpouse and family of a Tunisian citizen
- Status in-countryTemporary residence visa and card
- CitizenshipTunisian nationality by naturalisation or marriage declaration
Permanent residence in other countries
- Trinidad & TobagoResident status
- UkraineImmigration permit, permanent residence and citizenship by admission
- United StatesDiversity Immigrant Visa Program
- UruguayResidencia legal – Temporaria, Permanente, Mercosur, and Hoja de Identidad Provisoria
- UzbekistanPermanent residence
- St. Vincent & GrenadinesSt Vincent and the Grenadines temporary and permanent residence
