Tunisia Eases Entry Rules for Egyptians with New Visa-on-Arrival System
Tunisia introduces a visa-on-arrival system for select Egyptian travelers, aiming to boost tourism and economic ties amid wider digital visa efforts.
Tunisia has announced the introduction of a visa-on-arrival system for certain Egyptian nationals, marking a significant shift in its entry policy aimed at boosting tourism and deepening economic ties with Egypt.
Who qualifies for visa on arrival?
According to a press release from the Tunisian Embassy in Cairo published Monday, 15 September 2025, the program primarily targets business leaders, doctors, researchers, senior executives, and high-ranking officials. Egyptians holding valid Schengen or U.S. visas, as well as residency permits, will also qualify under the new rules.
The initiative includes organized tour groups of ten or more people, provided their stay is arranged by licensed Tunisian agencies and accompanied by a designated representative upon arrival at the airport.
Eligible travelers must, however, submit a pre-arrival list of participants to Tunisian authorities and present several documents: a detailed travel itinerary, round-trip tickets matching the hotel booking, copies of valid passports, and evidence of the purpose of stay.
Previously, Egyptians were required to apply for Tunisian visas in advance through the Tunisian Embassy in Cairo—a process widely criticized for its rigidity and time-consuming nature. This new policy represents a notable step forward, though it remains limited to specific traveler profiles.
Reviving Tunisia’s tourism sector
This measure is part of a broader strategy to revive Tunisia’s tourism sector, which has been severely affected by the pandemic and economic challenges. According to Tunisia’s Ministry of Tourism, around 100,000 Egyptians visit the country each year—a figure that authorities aim to increase by 20–30% with these new measures.
The policy aligns with Tunisia’s broader push to digitalize its visa process. The upcoming launch of an e-visa platform by the end of 2025 is designed to further streamline entry for Egyptian and other international travelers. The currently in-development secure platform has not yet had a launch date announced, as officials recently acknowledged a delay in its initial rollout.
This announcement follows the official visit of Tunisian Prime Minister Sara Zaafarani to Cairo, where she co-chaired the 18th edition of the Tunisian-Egyptian Joint Committee with Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly. The meetings culminated in the signing of eight bilateral agreements covering areas such as health and medical sciences, underscoring a mutual commitment to strengthening economic partnerships and joint development.
Source: Tunisia Government Portal http://fr.tunisie.gov.tn/
The tourism dimension was prominently featured in the discussions, with both nations emphasizing the need to revitalize cultural exchanges and ease movement between the two countries, including initiatives to promote shared heritage and enhance air and maritime links.
