French Embassy in Tunisia Expands Visa Appointments

The French Embassy in Tunisia is taking significant steps to enhance the availability of short-stay visa appointments, with a target of offering up to 10,000 slots per month, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming summer season. Traveling to Tunisia requires obtaining a Tunisian visa. The type of visa you need depends on factors like your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the length of your intended stay.

This development was announced by the Consul General of France in Tunisia, Dominique Mas, in an interview with Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP).

Expansion Timeline

• March: The Consulate plans to grant approximately 1,050 additional visa appointments for Tunisians.
• April: Another 1,000 visa appointment slots will be added.
• July: Appointment slots for July will become available by the end of the current month.

Mas emphasized that the Embassy has revamped its system to optimize application processing and tackle fraudulent activities, leading to the allocation of additional appointment slots. The aim is to offer approximately 10,000 monthly appointments for short-stay visas.

Addressing Waiting Times

Dominique Mas acknowledged the extended waiting times for France Schengen visas, attributing this delay to changes in the Embassy's IT platform. However, he assured that authorities are actively reorganizing their processes to better accommodate the increased demand.

Discouraging Intermediaries

The Consul General strongly discouraged the practice of making visa appointments through intermediaries. He urged applicants to reject such practices, emphasizing that they exploit the difficulties faced by Tunisian citizens.

Facilitating Student Visa Applications

In addition to the expansion of general visa appointments, the French Embassy in Tunisia has reserved approximately 6,000 appointment slots specifically for Tunisians seeking to pursue their studies in France. This move aims to streamline the application process for students.

Visa Statistics and Requirements

• Visa Applications: In 2022, Tunisians submitted a total of 95,515 visa applications at French embassies. Of these, 64,209 visas were issued, while 25,845 were not granted.
• Current Requirements: Tunisian visa applicants must provide several documents, including a completed French visa application form, two passport photos, and a valid passport. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate proof of travel health insurance for France, evidence of accommodation arrangements, a roundtrip flight itinerary, and adequate financial means to cover their stay in France, among other requirements.

This expansion of visa appointment availability reflects the French Embassy in Tunisia's commitment to facilitating travel, study, and other activities for Tunisian citizens in France while addressing the challenges posed by increased demand and ensuring transparency in the application process.