CONSULATE
Travel Warning For Tunisia
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Tunisia. This replaces the Travel Warning dated October 19, 2012, to update information on the current security situation in Tunisia and the continuing potential for violent demonstrations and unrest, to reiterate information on security incidents, and to provide recommendations on security awareness.
As of March 13, the U.S. Embassy in Tunis is no longer on ordered departure status but continues to operate with limited staffing due to security concerns. Because of the unpredictability of the security situation throughout the country, the ability of U.S. government personnel to reach travelers or provide emergency services may be severely limited. The security situation in Tunisia remains unpredictable. Sporadic episodes of civil unrest have occurred throughout the country. U.S. citizens should avoid large crowds and demonstrations as even demonstrations that are intended to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable. On September 14, 2012, violent mobs caused extensive property damage during an attack on the U.S. Embassy and the American Cooperative School of Tunis.
Since December 2012, Tunisian security forces have conducted raids on locations throughout Tunisia, including greater Tunis, and confiscated large illegal arms caches, including automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Several suspects were arrested and at least one was killed in these operations.
On February 6, 2013, a prominent opposition party leader was assassinated.
U.S. citizens should be alert and aware of their surroundings and maintain security awareness at all times, and should regularly monitor the local news media for current news and information. U.S. citizens remaining in Tunisia should make their own contingency emergency plans, enroll their presence in Tunisia through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and provide their current contact information and next-of-kin or emergency contact information.
The Embassy is located in the Les Berges du Lac suburb of Tunis. The Embassy telephone number is 216 71 107 000 and the Embassy fax number is 216 71 963 263. The Consular section can also be contacted by email at ConsularTunis@state.gov.
For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Emergencies and Crises link. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 08:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)
Updated information on travel and security in Tunisia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or via regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 from elsewhere. Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, found at travel.state.gov, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitterand the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook. You can also download our free Smart Traveler App available through iTunes and the Android market to have travel information at your fingertips.