Tunisia - Consular Information Sheet August 31, 1993 Country Description: Tunisia is a presidential republic with a developing economy. Tourist facilities and means of transportation are widely available, but vary in quality depending on price and location. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. A visa is not required for a stay of up to four months. For further information concerning entry requirements for Tunisia, travelers may contact the Embassy of Tunisia at 1515 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 862-1850, or the Tunisian Consulate General in New York, telephone (212) 742-6585, or in San Francisco, telephone (415) 922-9222. Medical Facilities: Medical care in Tunisia is available, but limited; specialized care or treatment may not be available. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical evacuation, has proved useful. Specific health questions can be addressed to the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: Tunisia has a moderate crime rate in urban areas. Criminals have targeted tourists for thefts, pickpocketings, and scams, though crimes are usually non-confrontational in nature. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad 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, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. 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 banknotes or coins. Tourists are expected to make foreign exchange transactions at authorized banks or dealers and to retain receipts for dinars obtained. Under new foreign currency exchange regulations, a tourist can reconvert to foreign currency 30 percent of what has been exchanged into dinars, up to a maximum of $100. Declaring currency upon entering Tunisia and obtaining a receipt for dinars purchased thereafter will facilitate reconverting dinars to U.S. dollars. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe in Tunisia, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Security Concerns: Tunisia has open borders with Libya and Algeria. (Please refer to Consular Information Sheets for those countries.) The presence of the headquarters of the Palestinian Liberation Organization in Tunis makes the possibility of terrorism a concern. However, there have been no instances where U.S. citizens or facilities in Tunisia have been subject to terrorist attacks. The government of Tunisia takes many security measures for the benefit of the many tourists who visit Tunisia. Registration: U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy may be enrolled in the Embassy's emergency alert network, and can obtain updated information on travel and security within Tunisia. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia is located at 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere, in the capital city of Tunis, telephone (216-1) 782-566, fax (216-1) 789-719. No. 93-226 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Tunisia dated January 8, 1993 to update the section on security, to include new Tunisian currency regulations, and to add information on reporting the loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad.