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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ณ Tunisia /Culture & Society

Tunisia Offers Special Measures for Diaspora Summer Return 2026

From La Presse · (6m ago) French Positive tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Tunisia is implementing special offers, simplified baggage procedures, and relaxed conditions for its diaspora returning home for the summer of 2026.
  • This initiative follows directives from the President and decisions from a restricted ministerial council aimed at ensuring a safe and comfortable return for Tunisians abroad.
  • Efforts include improving air and sea transport, enhancing consular and administrative services, and digitizing services like remote appointment booking and civil status document issuance.

In a move reflecting the government's commitment to its expatriate citizens, Tunisia is rolling out a comprehensive package of measures designed to facilitate the return of Tunisians residing abroad for the summer of 2026. This initiative, spearheaded by President Kais Saied's directives and reinforced by a recent restricted ministerial council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Najla Bouden, underscores the nation's dedication to its diaspora.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, convened a virtual meeting with heads of Tunisian diplomatic and consular missions worldwide. The objective was clear: to mobilize all relevant state structures and institutions, ensuring close coordination to provide the best possible conditions for air and sea travel, alongside enhanced consular, administrative, and digital services. This proactive approach aims to fulfill the state's social role and improve public service efficiency.

A significant focus is placed on the digitalization of consular services. The development of a digital consular portal and the expansion of remote appointment booking systems are key priorities. As a testament to these efforts, over 185,000 civil status documents have been issued remotely by 60 missions this year alone, alongside approximately 4,000 driving license attestations obtained online. The digital consular platform, now operational in 21 missions, has facilitated over 89,000 administrative services through remote appointments.

Furthermore, the government is streamlining processes at border control points, including the General Directorate of Border Police and Foreigners. Tunisians abroad will soon be able to renew passports and pay fees remotely, even during their stay in Tunisia at the "Espace des Tunisiens ร  lโ€™รฉtranger." This holistic approach, encompassing travel, administrative procedures, and digital integration, demonstrates Tunisia's earnest effort to connect with and support its citizens living and working across the globe, ensuring their summer homecoming is as seamless and comfortable as possible.

Garantir les meilleures conditions de transport aรฉrien et maritime, ainsi que lโ€™amรฉlioration de la qualitรฉ des services consulaires, administratifs, douaniers et numรฉriques au profit de tous les Tunisiens ร  lโ€™รฉtranger, nรฉcessite la mobilisation des efforts de toutes les structures et institutions concernรฉes, ainsi quโ€™une coordination รฉtroite avec lโ€™ensemble de nos Missions ร  lโ€™รฉtranger, afin dโ€™assurer pleinement le rรดle social de lโ€™ร‰tat, dโ€™amรฉliorer la performance du service public et dโ€™en renforcer lโ€™efficacitรฉ, tout en simplifiant les procรฉdures administratives pour activer les mesures dรฉcidรฉes lors du Conseil ministรฉriel restreint tenu le samedi prรฉcรฉdent.

โ€” M. Mohamed Ali NaftiMinister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, M. Mohamed Ali Nafti, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to improve services for returning Tunisians.
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Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.