Getting an Algerian visa for US citizen in Tunisia?

[sylviakiki]

Greetings all!

This is my first post here. Glad to find this great place!

I am in a difficult dilemma. I just decided on a trip to Constantine, Algeria. I now realize the Algerian visa for US citizen can take as long as 20 business days and the Algerian Embassy is closed on Fridays. If I am lucky, I might be able to get my visa around Dec 20, but it could be as long as second week of Jan.

I really need to be in Algeria by Dec 24. I wonder if I go to Tunisia first, is there ANY (even slight) chance to get an Algerian visa in Tunis or at the border?

I have done some researches. Most discussions or web site said no it is not possible. But I also found some web site making it sound quite easy so it is a bit confusing.....

How do I Get a Visa at the Algerian Border? | eHow.com

Can anyone with any information please shed some lights for me?

Thanks in advance!

Sylvia

[Chris Scott]

Hi Sylvia, you may have left it too late for before Xmas.
Visa procedures have slowed recently, but that is more for the Sahara, not the north.
However last year Americans in my group got visas in 8 days door to door from Algerian Visa Center in Washington (see here).
This was with an invitation (or CdH) which I assume you will also need.

I'm sure it may have happened, but I can't recall anyone getting an Alg visa in Tunis - certainly not in a few days.
Normally it must be done in your country of residence.
No visas at the border (for Brits at least) since the 1980s.

I would sooner look for reliable info on active travel forums than places like ehow which looks like it was not written from first hand experience and is a couple of years old at least.
Have you looked on Thorn Tree? Many try to visit north Alg on there.

Ch

[sylviakiki]

Hi Chris,

Thanks so much for your help and information. I have given up the idea of getting an Algerian visa from Tunisia. I am just going to meet my friend in Tunisia. Not going to Algeria after all.

Thanks again!
Sylvia