The U.S. Embassy in Tunis announced Friday that it would limit its operations starting December 8, citing “the impact of recent changes to Tunisian labor law.” Visa services and ordinary consular services will be suspended until further notice, the diplomatic mission said in a statement.
Consular services suspended: visas and ordinary procedures stopped
According to the embassy, all visa applications – whether immigration or non-immigration visas – will be rescheduled once normal operations are restored. Services for U.S. citizens, such as passport renewals or notarial deeds, will also be affected.
The mission specifies, however, that emergency services will remain accessible. These particularly concern assistance in the event of a serious medical problem, arrest or loss of identity documents.
Direct impact of social reform and limits imposed on contracts
The embassy did not detail the precise provisions of the new Labor Code behind the decision. The reform adopted in 2025 more strictly regulates fixed-term contracts, limits their renewal and provides for their automatic transformation into a permanent contract beyond four years.
The text also prohibits labor subcontracting, a practice regularly used by companies and certain diplomatic representations for security, maintenance or administrative assistance services.
This development could “affect the internal and contractual organization of certain foreign missions”, according to several observers from the diplomatic sector in Tunis.
The Embassy recommends that U.S. nationals traveling to Tunisia enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows them to receive consular alerts and security information.
Link : https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step
No date has been announced for a return to normal operation.
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