From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Tunisia Consular Information Sheet 03/29/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 19:00:43 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2154 Path: world!root Sender: US Dept of State Travel Advisories Message-ID: <199903291902.NAA86974@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: DOSTRAVEL Lines: 133 Tunisia - Consular Information Sheet March 29, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Tunisia is a presidential republic with a developing economy. Tourist facilities are widely available in the main tourist areas. The workweek is Monday to Friday, with government offices open on Saturday mornings. Most stores are closed on Sunday, except in resort areas, where many remain open. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. A visa is not required for a stay of up to four months. For longer visits, Americans are required to obtain a residence permit. A residence permit may be requested and obtained from the central police station of the district of residence. Americans born in the Middle East or with Arabic names have experienced delays in clearing immigration at airports upon arrival. American citizens of Tunisian origin are expected to enter Tunisia on their Tunisian passports. If a Tunisian-American succeeds in entering on an American passport, it is highly likely that a Tunisian passport will be required to exit the country. For further information concerning entry requirements for Tunisia, travelers may contact the Embassy of Tunisia at 1515 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005, tel. (202) 862-1850, or the Tunisian Consulate General in New York, tel. (212) 272- 6962, or in San Francisco, tel. (415) 922-9222. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care in Tunisia is available but limited; specialized care or treatment may not be available. Most medical staff are unable to communicate in English. Immediate ambulance service may not be available, especially outside of urban areas. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that, in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven to be useful. Over-the-counter medications are available. However, travelers should bring with them a full supply of medications that are needed on a regular basis. Emergency prescriptions are provided through a list of doctors available at the U.S. Embassy in Tunis. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention9s International Traveler9s Hotline at tel.: 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394- 8747); fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. CRIME INFORMATION: Tunisia had a moderate crime rate in urban areas. Criminals have targeted tourists and business travelers for thefts, pickpocketings, and scams. Care should be taken with wallets and other valuables kept in handbags or backpacks that can be easily opened from behind in crowded streets or marketplaces. Harassment of unaccompanied females occurs rarely in hotels, but more frequently elsewhere. Dressing in a conservative manner can diminish potential harassment, but it is wise to travel in groups of two or more. Violent crime is rare by U.S. standards, but it is not unknown. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets 3A Safe Trip Abroad2 and 3Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa.2 They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. CURRENCY REGULATIONS: Travelers checks and credit cards are accepted at some establishments in Tunisia, mainly in urban or tourist areas. The Tunisian dinar is not yet a fully convertible currency. Tunisian law prohibits the export or import of Tunisian bank notes or coins. Tunisian law permits the export of foreign currency declared when entering Tunisia. Tourists are expected to make foreign exchange transactions at authorized banks or dealers and to retain receipts for dinars obtained. Under foreign currency regulations, a tourist can reconvert to foreign currency 30 percent of what has been exchanged into dinars, up to a maximum of $100. Declaring foreign currency on entering Tunisia and obtaining a receipt for dinars purchased thereafter will facilitate reconverting dinars to U.S. dollars. Keep all receipts of monetary transactions for presentation when leaving the country. DRUG PENALTIES: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. SECURITY CONCERNS: Tunisia has open borders with Libya and Algeria. (Please refer to the Consular Information Sheets for those countries.) There have been no instances in which U.S. citizens or facilities have been subject to terrorist attacks, and the government of Tunisia takes many security measures for the benefit of the many tourists who visit Tunisia. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Driving in Tunisia can be dangerous. Visitors should avoid driving after dark outside of Tunis or the major resort areas. Driving practices are poor. Without the presence of police, drivers fail to obey the rules of the road. Traffic signs and signals are often ignored, and sometimes vehicles drive on the wrong side of the road. Bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles are operated without sufficient lights or reflectors, making them difficult to see darting in and out of traffic. Pedestrians cause additional problems by dodging traffic and not paying attention to vehicles. Defensive driving is a must in Tunisia. Drivers may be stopped for inspection by police officers within cities and on highways. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Monitor the home page of the Department of State for updates on Y2K issues. See also the government of Tunisia Internet home page on Y2K at http://www.an2000.tn/. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Tunisia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Tunisia9s civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Tunisia9s air carrier operations. For further information travelers may contact the U.S. Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Tunisia. The U.S. Embassy is located at 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere, tel. 216-1- 782-566, fax 216-1-789-719 or 216-1-788-923. ***** This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Tunisia dated May 23, 1997, to add information on residence permits, medical care, road conditions, Y2K, and aviation safety oversight.