Tunisian National Identity Service Chief Dispels Doubts About Passport Validity
The Head of the National Identification Service at the Technical and Scientific Police Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, Abdelkrim Saoud, sought to dispel doubts about the validity of the Tunisian passport. In an interview on Express FM, he formally denied rumors claiming that the national document would no longer be valid for traveling abroad. "Nothing has changed: the Tunisian passport remains fully valid and allows travel to any country," he assured, calling on citizens not to give in to misinformation. This clarification comes as the European Union is set to deploy its Electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) at the external borders of the Schengen area on October 12, 2025. This system aims to record the biometric data of non-European travelers to strengthen security and facilitate border crossings.
Key Points:
- The EES system will be used to register biometric data of non-European travelers
- Dedicated lanes will be set up for holders of biometric passports
- For Tunisians with current passports, additional manual checks will be carried out to confirm the traveler's identity and the authenticity of the document
Tunisia Committed to Biometric Turn
Mr. Saoud also confirmed the country's commitment to the national biometric ID card and passport project, described as a "mega-project" that is both complex and integrated. Its implementation will require significant financial, human, and logistical resources, but the process is now on a stable trajectory, with administrative procedures being accelerated. A call for tenders is expected to be launched soon, followed by a gradual implementation of the new system. The ministry official sought to reassure citizens that the transition to the biometric passport will be smooth and without disruption, ensuring that the Tunisian passport will remain fully recognized internationally.
