How to apply for a Schengen visa from Tunisia

While there are a number of visa free countries for a Tunisia passport holder, Tunisia unfortunately remains one of many states whose citizens require a visa for entry to the Schengen area. This means that if you are Tunisian, you will likely need to apply for a Schengen visa in order to access France, Italy, Germany, and the 23 other European Schengen Member States. Read on to discover everything you need to know about how to apply for a Schengen visa from Tunisia, including information about Schengen visa requirements for Tunisia citizens and residents, who to submit your Schengen visa application to, Schengen visa fees, and all other relevant Schengen visa information in Tunisia.

Schengen visa for Tunisia

• Because the Schengen area does not contain any visa-free countries for Tunisia passport holders, most people from Tunisia will have to receive a Schengen visa in order to enter any of the Schengen countries.  
• Schengen visa applicants should apply to whatever Schengen country they intend to spend the majority of their time in during their visit. 
• For example, if you are planning a trip to both France and Spain, and you intend to spend 60 days in France and 30 days in Spain, you should apply for a French Schengen visa. 
• If you plan to spend an equal amount of time in two or more countries (such as 45 days in France and 45 days in Spain) you should apply to the country that represents your first entry into the Schengen area. For example, if you are spending equal time in both places, but first entering the Schengen area by flying direct from Tunis to Paris, you should apply for a French Schengen visa. 
• An application for the Schengen visa for Tunisia citizens and residents should be submitted  at the embassy, consulate, or visa-application center affiliated with the country the applicant is applying through. 
•  Once you know what country you are applying to, you should therefore determine which entity is processing Schengen visas. For example, in order to get a German Schengen visa as a citizen of Tunisia, you must apply through the responsible visa application center in Tunis. 

Basic steps to apply for a Schengen visa from Tunisia

• Before you try to get a Schengen visa as a citizen of Tunisia, you should determine the following:
  • Where you want to apply (what country)
  • The type of Schengen visa you need
    • There are multiple different types of Schengen visas; you should select the type that best reflects your specific purpose for travelling. 
    • For a complete list of Schengen visa types, click here. 
  • Number of entries you need
    • Schengen visas are available in three entry categories: single, double, or multiple. 
    • If you have a single-entry Schengen visa, and you exit the zone for whatever reason, you will not be able to re-enter the Schengen area—even if you still have time left on your Schengen visa. 
    • You will therefore need at least a double entry Schengen visa if, after first entering the Schengen area, you intend to exit the zone and attempt to return to it using your same visa. 

How to apply for a Schengen visa from Tunisia

• 1. Contact the Schengen Embassy/Consulate in Tunisia
  • Contact the Tunisian embassy or consulate of the Schengen country you are applying to in order to determine how best to proceed with your Schengen visa application. 
  • They can direct you to where you should submit your Schengen visa application, who to submit your Schengen visa application to, tell you what application forms to use, schedule your visa appointment, and give you the most updated Schengen visa information in Tunisia. 
• 2. Access your Schengen visa application
  • The majority of Schengen countries will accept the universal Schengen visa application, accessible through this link.
  • Download, print out, fill out, and sign this form: you will submit a physical copy of it at your Schengen visa appointment. 
  • Alternatively, certain countries have country-specific online visa portals, which they will direct applicants to. Denmark, for example, requires Schengen visa applicants for Denmark to apply via its online portal, here.
  • If you are applying online, you will likely be asked to pay for your visa online, at some point during the application process. Online applicants are also sometimes given the opportunity to schedule their in-person visa appointment. 
• 3. Gather your required documents
  • Assembling the required documents outlined below may take some time, so make sure you have everything together before you attend your Schengen visa appointment. 
  • For example, make sure you have a passport and that it is both valid and has room for your Schengen visa. 
  • If you need a visa invitation letter from your host in the Schengen area, make sure that letter is in your possession. 
• 4. Make a visa appointment
  • The majority of countries require you to formally submit your application in person, at the embassy, consulate, or visa application center you are applying through. 
  • The majority of embassies/consulates/visa application centers will require you to make an appointment in order to formally submit your application (most places do not allow you to simply drop-off your application without an appointment. 
  • Your visa appointment is where you will formally submit your application, have your biometric information collected, pay your visa fee, and possibly attend a brief interview. 
  • As mentioned above, if you are applying for a Schengen visa for Tunisia citizens and residents online, you will likely be asked to schedule a visa appointment through the country-specific visa portal. 
  • Alternatively, you can contact the embassy/consulate/visa application center directly to schedule a visa appointment. 
  • You should apply for a Schengen visa no later than three weeks before (and no earlier than three months before) your date of departure. Keep this timeframe in mind when scheduling your Schengen visa. 
• 5. Attend your Schengen visa appointment
  • Once you have everything you need to apply for your visa, you can attend your scheduled Schengen visa appointment and formally submit your application. 
  • As previously mentioned, your visa appointment is also where you will have  your fingerprints and photos taken—unless you have recently (within the past 5-years) submitted them on a previous Schengen visa application (in which case your biometric information is already in the system). 
• 6. Await your decision
  • Once you have officially submitted your application and passport, you can simply await the embassy’s decision, which is usually reached within 15 days to 30 days. 
  • The embassy will contact you if they need any additional information from you (such as more documents) or if they need you to return for a first/second Schengen visa interview. 
  • If you are approved for a visa, congratulations! You can begin preparing for your trip. 
  • Unfortunately, not all Schengen visa applicants who apply for a Schengen visa from Tunisia receive one. If your application was rejected, you have the right to an appeal. For more information on the appeal process, click here.

Schengen visa requirements for Tunisia citizens and residents

• Applicants for Schengen visas should submit the following required documents and materials, including:
  • Passport (valid, with two blank pages). 
  • Passport photos (2).
  • Proof that you can financially afford your trip (such as bank statements, salary slips).
  • Proof of accommodation. 
  • Proof of having obtained travel medical insurance.
  • Schengen visa fees (€80/265 Tunisian Dinars per applicant). 
• In addition to the above required Schengen documents, you will also have to present a number of supplemental materials depending on what type of Schengen visa you are applying for. 
• For example, if you are applying for a Medical Schengen visa, you will need to present a note from your doctor; if you are applying for a Business Schengen visa, you will need to supply documents attesting to the nature of your business.