Ireland in Tunisia

The assassination of a political leader of one of the opposition parties on 6th February 2013 sparked unrest throughout the country. The situation has now calmed down, however visitors and residents should still exercise caution and remain alert.  

Ireland is represented by an Honorary Consul in Tunis. 

The Honorary Consulate will be closed on Tuesday 9th April 2013.

Passport applications can be made via the Consulate.  

Address:

For correspondence by post:
Honorary Consul of Ireland
Dalmas 1,
Rue Laroussi Haddad
Z.I Sidi Rezig
2033 Tunis

To call in person:
Honorary Consul of Ireland
39 Avenue Kheireddine Pacha
Tunis  

Telephone: +216 71 188 793 

Fax: +216 71 188 739

Email: hon-consul-irelandtunis@planet.tn

Honorary Consul Moncef Mzabi
Assistant: Mrs. Latifa Bamri

Opening hours: 08.30 - 12.00

Visa Applications in Tunisia

Applicants residing in Tunisia should now only apply online (Tunisia is listed in the supported countries section on the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service site).

To launch an on-line application please click here.

Applicants are reminded that completing the on-line application form is only the first step in the visa application process. An application can only be processed when the on-line form is completed AND the required backing documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant office as indicated by the on-line system.

It is no longer possible to apply using a downloaded/paper application form.

INFORMATION NOTE TO ASSIST APPLICANTS

An information note has been prepared to assist applicants. This is available in English, and also in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Turkish and Urdu.

All visa applications from Tunisia will be routed to the Irish Visa Office based at the Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for processing. The actual decision on your visa will be made in the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

When you have completed the on line application and have all of the accompanying papers you can lodge the application with the Honorary Consul in Tunis at the address provided above. The Honorary Consul will send your papers to the Embassy in the UAE on your behalf, having undertaken an initial examination of all the papers.

You will be contacted by the Consulate when a decision has been made on your application.

In advance of beginning your visa application on line, please consult the homepage of INIS, www.inis.gov.ie for full information regarding the documentation required to accompany your visa application.

Supporting Documentation

You must also ensure that all the required supporting documentation accompanies your visa application otherwise your visa application cannot be processed or will be delayed.  It is your responsibility to ensure you have sent our Visa Office all the necessary documents in order for a decision to be made. You will find the list of supporting documentation required for the main types of visas here.

Elsewhere on this site you will find information leaflets for the most commonly sought visas in the region which may be of assistance to you.

Check list

·         On line summary sheet (sign at consulate)

·         2 passport – size colour photos (requirements on www.inis.gov.ie site)

·         Cover note (detailing the visa sought and whether travelling with family or not) include    your telephone number

·         All of the necessary supporting documentation as detailed on www.inis.gov.ie site

·         Postage service fee

·         You should note that a single entry visa will normally only be granted therefore if you apply for a multiple entry visa it may not be granted to you. A multiple entry visa is granted only in very specific circumstances.

You must provide your on-line summary sheet and sign it at the consulate, two passport sized colour photos will also be required along with all of the necessary documentation including your passport (if you have a new passport the previous passport should also be provided). You should also provide a cover note detailing the type of visa you are seeking, you should also mention in the cover note if you are travelling with other members of your family. If you are travelling with children you must complete an on line application for each child. If the child is included in your passport the sticker for the child will be affixed to your passport.

Only when you have checked the requirements for the visa you are seeking and have all of the necessary papers should you provide the documents to the consulate.

Unless you are residing in or visiting the UAE your passport should not be sent to the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi . You should present your passport and supporting documentation to support your visa application to the Honorary Consulate in Tunis. Your visa will be issued locally at the Honorary Consulate in Tunis once a decision has been made by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi. The staff at the Honorary Consulate in Tunis will advise you in relation to what documents are required including original documents if necessary.

It takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process a visa request.

If you are refused the visa you may appeal this decision. Appeals should be lodged with the Consulate in Tunis, for onward transmission to the Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi, UAE, within a 2 month period of the date of your refusal letter.  Appeals should concentrate on the reason/s for refusal of the visa at initial stage.

All decisions following assessment will be provided to the Consulate in Tunis for onward posting or collection of the visa.

If my application has been turned down, how do I appeal the decision?
If you are refused a visa you may appeal this decision in writing only to the Visa Appeals Officer at:

Visa Appeals Officer

Embassy of Ireland
1 and 2 Khalifa Al Suwaidi Development
19th (off 32nd Street)
Al Bateen
P.O. Box 61581
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Any further information or additional documentation which you wish to have taken into account should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer. Provision of such additional documentation will be considered but does not guarantee approval of the application. The visa reference number must be quoted on all future correspondence along with your name and nationality.

How do I lodge an appeal?
Appeals must be in written form and posted to the Visa Appeals Officer at the above address. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered. No appeal will be allowed if you are found to have given false or misleading information in any part of your application.

Is there a time limit?
Yes, you should submit your appeal within 2 months of the refusal date.

How much does it cost?
There is no charge for an appeal against refusal of a visa.

What happens when I make my appeal?
On receipt of the appeal the Appeals Officer will review the application again, taking account of any further comments you have made in the grounds of appeal and of any supporting documentation. On examination and review the original decision may be reversed. If the Appeals Officer does not alter the decision, you will be notified in writing.

How long will my appeal take?
4-6 weeks from receipt of appeal.

ENQUIRING ABOUT THE STATUS OF AN APPLICATION

Once your application has been accepted by the visa office please do not contact the office to enquire about the status of your application as once a decision has been made it will be communicated to you by the Honorary Consulate, Embassy or Visa Office depending on where you submitted your application.

Should a visa application be refused the Visa Office will send you a letter outlining the reasons for the refusal. Under no circumstances will the visa office discuss with an applicant the reasons for a refused visa application once the refusal letter is issued. If you are unhappy with the reasons given for the refusal of your visa application you have the right to submit a written appeal to the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi within 2 months of receiving the refusal letter.

Phone and Email Queries:

Information on Irish visa requirements and queries about the requirements for supporting documentation can be obtained by calling 00 971 2 4958200. This number is open for queries from 8.30am until 1.30 pm, Sunday – Thursday only. Urgent queries outside of normal working hours can be dealt with by calling 00 971 2 4958200. Please do not contact this number unless your query cannot wait until the next morning.

You can email the Visa Office in relaiton to your visa applicaiton at: ABUDHABIVisaStaff@dfa.ie. We will respond to visa queries within 1-2 working days of receiving them.