PassportSouth Africa

Tunisia: do South Africans need a visa?

Travel with cautionOther governments advise against travel to parts of the country, or to reconsider travel. Why

South Africans don't need a visa for Tunisia. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Visa-free for ordinary South African passports, according to several non-official sources (Wikipedia, The GSA, a Tunisian visa agency). No Tunisian government page could be opened to confirm it, and two older commercial lists put South Africa among countries that need a visa. Check with the Embassy of Tunisia in Pretoria before travel.123

Travel advice

Travel with caution

The UK advises against all travel to parts of western Tunisia near Algeria, including Kasserine Governorate, and to southern areas near Libya.

We show UK and US government advice because they publish detailed, regularly updated assessments. Checked 5 October 2026.

Read the full advice: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism and short business visits (GSA says tourism or work purposes). Not confirmed on an official page.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

Sources differ. US State Department and Australia Smartraveller: 6 months beyond arrival or travel dates. GSA (for SA passports): at least 3 months, with 2 blank pages. UK FCDO: valid for the whole stay. Safest: 6 months and 2 blank pages.4562

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

No visa needed if the exemption applies. Tunisia has no eVisa: a 2025 tender for an eVisa platform failed. Any site selling a 'Tunisia eVisa' is not official. If a visa is needed, apply in person at the Embassy of Tunisia in Pretoria.17

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Embassy of Tunisia, 850 Stanza Bopape Street (formerly Church Street), corner Eastwood Street, Arcadia, Pretoria. Tel 012 342 6282 / 6283. Honorary Consulate in Cape Town, 40 Fifth Avenue, Rondebosch East, tel 021 697 0293.27

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

GSA (for SA passports) lists a return ticket as an entry requirement.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Proof of funds

GSA lists proof of sufficient funds. No amount published.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Accommodation or invitation

Border officers may ask for a hotel booking or other accommodation details, and some visitors have been refused entry without it (UK FCDO). GSA lists a hotel booking or letter of invitation.52

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

No vaccinations are required for entry (US State Department, GSA). Tunisia is not on South Africa's yellow fever risk list, so no certificate is needed to return to SA, unless you transited a risk country (more than 12 hours airside or left the airport).482

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Strict currency controls. Tunisian dinars cannot be imported or exported. Declare foreign currency worth TND 20,000 or more on arrival; keep exchange receipts. Amounts over TND 5,000 must be declared if you plan to take them out (US State Department). Undeclared money can be confiscated. Make sure your passport is stamped on entry.456

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Extending your stay and overstaying

Stays over 90 days need a residence permit from the local police. Overstay fines are charged per week and paid at the departure airport or in advance at a police station.45

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Carry each child's birth certificate. A parent travelling alone should carry notarised consent from the other parent or proof of sole custody. Children with Tunisian nationality need written parental permission to leave without their parents (US State Department).4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

What changed

24 July 2026UK FCDO update: advises against all travel to parts of western Tunisia near Algeria (including Kasserine Governorate and Chaambi Mountains) and southern areas near Libya, because of cross-border terrorism.
21 May 2026US State Department advisory reissued at Level 2 (exercise increased caution: terrorism, crime, unrest).
1 August 2025Tunisia's tender for an eVisa platform was declared unsuccessful (August 2025). No eVisa exists.

Sources

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 4US Department of State travel.state.gov
  2. 5UK FCDO (updated 2026-07-24) gov.uk
  3. 6Australian Government Smartraveller smartraveller.gov.au
  4. 8DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 1Wikipedia (also Visa policy of Tunisia article for eVisa tender) en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 2The GSA (South African travel services company), updated 2025-10-21 thegsa.co.za
  2. 3Tusamed (Tunisian visa and travel services) tusamed.com
  3. 7VisaHQ South Africa visahq.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.