Residence permit in exchange for investment (when starting a company/firm/business)
Tunisia encourages foreigners to invest!
The Investor Support Department at the Ministry of foreign investment helps foreign investors and entrepreneurs obtain a residence permit in Tunisia.
Documents that must be submitted when applying for a residence permit:
- Pre-printed form provided by the office,
- A copy of the certificate confirming the submission of the investment project, authorization or license of the trader.
- Registered copy of the company's charter,
- A certified copy of the employer or a foreign employee's certificate,
- A copy of the employment contract with the seal of the relevant departments of the Ministry of employment,
- A copy of the fiscal card availability certificate,
- A copy of an extract from the commercial register,
- A copy of the publication notice to JORT regarding the company's establishment,
- A copy of your passport (the first three pages and the entry visa page),
- 02 stamps of 10 TND each
- A copy of the prenuptial agreement or identification card of the spouses in the case of a mixed marriage with a Tunisian citizen
Tunisian investment website - http://www.investintunisia.tn/En/home_46_33
Can I get Tunisian citizenship by investing?
No.
Residence permit for the purchase of real estate / Carte séjour
If you purchase a property, you can also get a residence permit as an investment. You can read about the application and documents above.
Permanent residence permission in Tunisia
Foreigners need a visa (residency) for permanent residence, namely for more than three consecutive months. Residence visas are divided into two categories:
1. Temporary residence visa
This visa is granted to foreigners who do not intend to arrange permanent residence in Tunisia. The authorities may also issue this visa to an applicant who has been refused a regular residence visa by the Tunisian government. The validity period of a temporary residence visa may not exceed one year.
2. Permanent residence visa
You are eligible for this long-term permit provided that:
- You have lived in Tunisia continuously for at least five years with a temporary residence permit;
- You are married to a Tunisian citizen (for a woman);
- Do you have children who are Tunisian citizens;
- You have made a significant contribution to Tunisia.
Upon arrival on a long-term visa, you will need to contact the nearest police department. The ministry can provide you with a residence permit for:
- education;
- employment opportunities;
- joining a family in Tunisia;
- investing.
A residence permit is usually granted for 2 years with the possibility of renewal, and it must be renewed every time the employment contract is renewed. Each renewal can be valid for up to 5 years. A residence permit is granted by the General Directorate of national security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
To submit, you will need to prepare:
- 2 tax stamps of 10 DT each (financial income);
- Printed, completed and signed application for a residence permit;
- You will need a valid passport, a copy of it (the first three pages and a page with your current visa that allows you to stay in Tunisia);
- Documents which are confirmed your need for a longer stay:
- marriage certificate;
- employment contract with the seal of the Ministry of Employment;
- application for the establishment of a company from the National Commercial Register;
- copies of documents on investment intentions (or investments already made);
- lease agreement;
- Certificate of opening an account in Tunisia.
All copies must be legalized in municipalities.
With a resident card, keep in mind that for any flight abroad, you will have to pay the "departure tax" - a tax stamp which are worth 60 DT, which can be found at the airport's bank desks. Or a fee of 30 dinars when non-residents leave Tunisia.
Since the Tunisian authorities do not allow cohabitation (without marriage), an unemployed partner cannot obtain a residence permit and can only obtain a tourist visa, which can be renewed every three months when leaving the territory.
You may be denied a residence permit or renewal if your request is considered not very reliable. Your residence permit may be revoked if you have committed an offense against public order.
How can I extend my permission?
Documents that must be submitted for the renewal request:
- 3 photos of the identity card;
- Original document of the former residence card
How much does it cost to apply for permanent residence
150 Tunisian dinars, 75 dinars for students and students
Family reunification
Who has the right to family reunification?
You can get a visa and a permanent residence permit in Tunisia, provided that you are married to a Tunisian citizen or have children who are Tunisian citizens. In this case, you can apply for one of two types of permanent residence visas - temporary and long-term. After obtaining a visa and arriving in Crana, you will also need to contact the General Directorate of national security of the Ministry of internal affairs and obtain a permanent residence permit.
Among the required documents, there are:
- A biometric passport valid for at least six months and a copy of its first page;
- One or two photos with the size of the passport that meet the requirements;
- Confirmation of accommodation in Tunis (address of the rented house or apartment, confirmation of hotel booking, etc.);
- Full tourist route;
- Invitation letter from the host (husband / wife / father);
- Documents which are confirmed kinship;
- Confirmation of payment of the visa fee.
The list is approximate and may vary from country to country. For more information, please contact your nearest embassy.
What is naturalization?
Tunisian citizenship is usually obtained on the principle of jus sanguinis, that is, by birth in Tunisia or abroad from parents with Tunisian citizenship. It can also be granted to persons who belong to the country or are permanent residents by naturalization.
A naturalized alien is incapacitated for five years from the date of issuing the naturalization decree:
- it cannot be endowed with elective functions or mandates that require the quality of the Tunisian language;
- he cannot be a voter if the quality of the Tunisian language is necessary for registration in the electoral lists;
- he cannot hold a vacant position among the leaders of Tunisia.
Who can apply?
Naturalization may be granted to persons residing in the territory for a sufficient period of time to confirm that:
- they understand Arabic, Tunisian Customs and traditions;
- integrated into society;
- have a good character and morals;
- do not have a criminal record that led to a conviction for more than one year;
- have sufficient mental and physical health not to become dependent on the state;
- have a fundamental interest in the development of Tunisia;
- as a rule, you must have lived in the country for five years.
In addition to foreigners who meet the criteria, other people who can be naturalized include:
- Children who are legally adopted by a Tunisian father automatically acquire citizenship upon legal adoption;
- Children can be automatically naturalized when their father acquires citizenship, or if their mother is a widow and becomes naturalized;
- People who were born in Tunisia can choose citizenship without meeting the residence requirement;
- The Wife of a Tunisian citizen after marriage may obtain Tunisian citizenship after two years of residence or immediately if she is or becomes stateless due to marriage;
- People who have received exceptional services to the nation can become naturalized without a period of residence.
What is the naturalization procedure?
Any application for Tunisian citizenship must meet the following conditions:
- to be drawn up in two copies;
- include the choice of place of residence by the interested party;
- include the legalized signature of the interested person, if this is not established by a state official;
- be accompanied by all supporting documents, in particular civil status documents;
- submit it to the state secretariat of justice or send it to this department by registered mail with a notification of delivery.
Silence maintained by the authorities for one month from the date of the request is tantamount to refusal.
How long does the procedure take?
The president of the Republic decides whether to grant or reject the requested naturalization. It can also announce the postponement of consideration of the request by setting a deadline or conditions. After the expiration of this period or the fulfillment of these conditions, the applicant must formulate a new request, if he considers it necessary.
Simplified naturalization
Who can apply?
For people who are with blood or family ties to Tunisian citizens, the residence requirement is less than five years. Foreigners whose country requires renouncing their citizenship in order to marry are granted citizenship when they are married to a Tunisian spouse. A foreigner whose country does not require renunciation of citizenship can apply for Tunisian citizenship in two years.
Tunisia