Circular to Authorized Intermediaries No. 2025-10 dated September 5, 2025

Tunis, September 5, 2025
CIRCULAR TO AUTHORIZED INTERMEDIARIES
No. 2025-10 DATED SEPTEMBER 5, 2025
Subject: Transfers for expenses related to studies and academic internships abroad.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia,
Having regard to the Exchange and Foreign Trade Code promulgated by Law No. 76-18 of January 21, 1976, consolidating and codifying the legislation governing foreign exchange and foreign trade relations between Tunisia and other countries, as amended by subsequent texts, notably Law No. 93-48 of May 3, 1993, and Decree-Law No. 2011-98 of October 24, 2011; Having regard to Law No. 2016-35 of April 25, 2016, fixing the status of the Central Bank of Tunisia; Having regard to Decree No. 77-608 of July 27, 1977, setting the application conditions for the aforementioned Exchange and Foreign Trade Code, as amended and supplemented by subsequent texts, notably Government Decree No. 2019-1115 of December 3, 2019; Having regard to Circular to Authorized Intermediaries No. 93-10 of September 8, 1993, regarding transfers for tuition fees benefiting students abroad, as amended by subsequent texts, notably Circular No. 2015-08 of April 21, 2015; Having regard to Circular to Authorized Intermediaries No. 97-02 of January 24, 1997, regarding information forms, as amended by subsequent texts; Having regard to Circular to Credit Institutions No. 2006-19 of November 28, 2006, regarding internal control; Having regard to Circular to Authorized Intermediaries No. 2016-10 of December 30, 2016, regarding the authorization for foreign currency export in banknotes and by checks; Having regard to the opinion of the Compliance Control Committee No. 2025-10 dated September 3, 2025, as provided for in Article 42 of Law No. 2016-35 of April 25, 2016; Decides:

Article 1 - This circular sets the conditions and procedures for authorized intermediaries to carry out foreign currency transfers for expenses related to studies and academic internships abroad.

SECTION I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Paragraph 1 - Definitions
Article 2 - For the purposes of this circular, the following terms are defined as:

• Academic or school year: A study period fixed at ten (10) months, extending from September of the current year to June of the following year, without exceeding the duration indicated on the enrollment certificate or any equivalent document.
  Any study period exceeding the aforementioned 10 months must be justified by a document issued by the relevant university or educational institution attesting to the duration of the study cycle provided.
• Academic internship: A practical training period integrated into a higher education program or university curriculum, carried out in a previously chosen professional environment.
• Study expenses abroad: Registration and tuition fees due to universities or educational institutions established abroad, as well as installation and living expenses.
• Installation and living expenses: Costs related to the personal expenses of the student or pupil in the foreign country where they pursue university or school studies.
• Registration and study expenses: Amounts, excluding living and installation expenses, required by the foreign educational institution.
• Academic internship expenses: Installation and living costs related to the student's personal expenses in the foreign country where they undertake an internship under an internship agreement or any equivalent document.
• Internship period: The period fixed by the internship agreement or any equivalent document (invitation letter, etc.).

Paragraph 2: Eligibility for Transfers
Article 3 - The following resident natural persons (Tunisian or foreign nationality, for exchange control purposes) may claim transfers for study expenses abroad:

• holders of a baccalaureate or equivalent diploma;
• holders of a university degree;
• disabled persons enrolled in specialized institutions;
• non-baccalaureate pupils.
  The following resident natural persons (Tunisian or foreign nationality, for exchange control purposes) may claim transfers for academic internship expenses:
• students pursuing university studies in Tunisia;
• disabled persons enrolled in specialized institutions located in Tunisia.

Paragraph 3 - Transfer Amounts
Article 4 - The transfer for registration and study expenses is authorized up to the amount stated in the invoice or any equivalent document issued in the name of the beneficiary, student or pupil, by the relevant foreign educational institution.

Article 5 - The transfer for installation expenses for studies abroad is made as an allowance with a maximum amount of six thousand dinars (6,000 TND) per academic or school year.
The transfer for living expenses for studies abroad is made as an allowance with a maximum amount of four thousand dinars (4,000 TND) per month during the academic or school year.
The scholarship beneficiaries may only claim the transfer of the allowance for living expenses up to the difference between the amount authorized by this circular and the allocated scholarship amount.

Article 6 - When pursuing a language course, prior to the first year of main studies, proves indispensable for a determined period, the student or pupil is authorized, subject to the prior filing of a file covering both said language course and main studies, to proceed with the transfer of fees related to studies, installation, and living expenses for this period. This transfer is carried out under the same conditions and within the limits set by this circular.

Article 7 - The transfer for installation expenses for internships is granted as an allowance with a maximum amount of six thousand dinars (6,000 TND) for each internship period exceeding one month. For internship periods of less than one month, the allowance is calculated pro rata based on the actual stay period.
The transfer for living expenses abroad for internships is made as an allowance fixed at a maximum amount of four thousand dinars (4,000 TND) per month during the internship period. For internship periods of less than one month, the allowance is calculated pro rata based on the actual stay period.
The scholarship or internship gratuity beneficiaries may only claim the transfer of the allowance for living expenses up to the difference between the amount authorized by this circular and the scholarship or gratuity amount stipulated in the internship agreement.

SECTION II: EXECUTION OF TRANSFERS
Paragraph 1 - Filing of Study and Internship Expense Files
Article 8 - The execution of transfers related to study expenses abroad is conditional upon the prior filing of a file containing all documents listed in Annex I to this circular, with a single authorized intermediary, for each academic or school year, including the period dedicated to a language course.
In case of unavailability of the enrollment certificate at the time of filing, the domiciliary authorized intermediary is authorized to proceed with the filing, subject to presenting one of the substitute documents mentioned in Annex II to this circular. In this case, the student or pupil must submit the enrollment certificate to the authorized intermediary within a maximum period of three (3) months from the start of the study year.

Article 9 - The execution of transfers related to internship expenses abroad is subject to the prior filing, for each internship period, with a single authorized intermediary, of a file containing all supporting documents listed in Annex III to this circular.

Paragraph 2: Procedures for Executing Transfers for Study Expenses Abroad:
Article 10 - Subject to the provisions of Article 8, the transfer of the allowance for installation expenses may be made in a single operation or in installments during the academic or school year, or prior to its commencement.

Article 11 - The amount allocated to cover housing reservation costs or any other installation-related charges for the beneficiary abroad may be transferred, before the start of the academic or school year, by deduction from the allowance for installation expenses. This transfer is made on behalf of the student or pupil, to the order of the contracting party in the lease agreement or any other provider established abroad, upon presentation of appropriate supporting documents for said expenses.

Article 12 - Transfers related to pre-registration, registration, and study expenses, including those for language courses, are made upon presentation of the invoice or equivalent document issued by the university or educational institution located abroad in the name of the resident student or pupil. These transfers are made within the limits and according to the schedule stipulated in the required invoice or equivalent document. In no case may they include installation or living expenses.

Article 13 - Transfers made for living expenses during a given month must correspond to the allowance related to living expenses for that same month or previous months. They must occur before the expiration of the relevant academic or school year, provided that the cumulative amount of said transfers does not exceed the annual ceiling corresponding to said academic or school year, as defined in Article 2 of this circular.

Article 14 - Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 13, when an advance transfer of a minimum amount for living and installation expenses related to studies abroad is required, the authorized intermediary is authorized to execute this transfer, upon request by the student or pupil, or their representative, subject to the following conditions:

• The required minimum amount and the obligation for advance transfer must be duly justified by a document issued either by the consular authorities of the host country, or by the relevant university or educational institution;
• The minimum amount to be transferred in advance is strictly limited to that stipulated in the supporting document mentioned in the first bullet of this article. In no case shall this amount exceed the sum of allowances allocated for installation and living expenses for two consecutive academic or school years from the start date of studies, as shown in any document issued by the educational institution;
• If the advance transfer relates to two consecutive academic or school years, the student or pupil must renew the study file with the same domiciliary authorized intermediary. The transfer of any remaining rights to transfer for installation and living expenses related to the second year of study may only occur upon expiration of the period subject to advance transfer and must be carried out in accordance with Article 13, provided that no single month of study may be subject to more than one transfer.
• The transfer of the required minimum amount is executed by wire transfer from the domiciliary authorized intermediary, to the order of the bank designated in the supporting document mentioned in the first bullet, confirming the opening of a blocked account at that bank and specifying the amount to be transferred including banking fees.

The execution of advance transfers is further based on the supporting documents listed in point B of Annex I to this circular.

Article 15 - Any transfer of allowances for installation and living expenses for a subsequent academic or school year, which may be executed under Article 14, may only occur upon expiration of the period for which allowances for installation and living expenses were transferred in advance, subject to presentation of supporting documents confirming the continuation of studies in the host country.

Article 16 - The domiciliary authorized intermediary is authorized to execute transfers for installation and living expenses related to a study period spanning two academic or school years.
In this case, the student or pupil must file the study file with a single domiciliary authorized intermediary.
The domiciliary authorized intermediary must require the filing of a file for each academic or school year and ensure that transfers for living and installation expenses for each study period are made up to the rights and ceilings set by this circular.

Paragraph 3: Procedures for Executing Transfers for Academic Internship Expenses Abroad
Article 17 - The transfer of the allowance for installation expenses within an academic internship abroad may be made in a single lump sum or in installments throughout the internship period or prior to its commencement.

Article 18 - The amount allocated to cover housing reservation costs or any other installation-related expenses for the beneficiary abroad within an academic internship may be transferred, before the start of the internship period, by deduction from the allowance for installation expenses. This transfer is made on behalf of the student, to the order of the foreign party in the lease contract or any other provider established abroad, upon presentation of appropriate supporting documents for these expenses.

Article 19 - Transfers made for living expenses during a month must be linked to the corresponding allowance for living expenses for that same month or previous months of the internship period stipulated in the internship agreement or any other equivalent document issued by the institution in the name of the beneficiary. These transfers must be executed before the expiration of the internship duration.

SECTION III - TRANSFER PROCEDURES
Article 20 - The amounts authorized by this circular for installation and living expenses in the context of studies or academic internships abroad are transferred in the name of the eligible person, either in cash, by wire transfer, by international payment card, by check issued by the authorized intermediary, or through a cash-to-cash transfer system allowing cash withdrawals abroad. In the case of a minor student or pupil, these transfers may be made in favor of their representative designated by their legal guardian.

Article 21 - Domiciliary authorized intermediaries for study or internship files abroad are authorized to issue international payment cards intended for allowances related to installation and living expenses for studies and internships abroad. These international payment cards are named, specifically reserved for these allowances, and are loaded with amounts in dinars.
They are technically designed to allow payments or withdrawals in foreign currency, within the limits of the amounts established by this circular, per period and per type of allowance.
The authorized intermediaries that have concluded, in accordance with the prevailing foreign exchange regulations, an adherence agreement to a cash-to-cash money transfer system, allowing transfers from Tunisia, are authorized to transfer installation and living expenses related to studies or academic internships abroad, in accordance with the conditions established by this circular.

Article 22 - Transfers related to pre-registration, registration, and study expenses, including those for language courses, must be executed by wire transfer or by check issued by the authorized intermediary, payable to the order of the university or educational institution or the organization providing the language course, or where applicable, to the order of the intermediary organization mandated for this purpose, upon presentation of any document justifying the mandate granted to said intermediary organization to collect said fees on its behalf.

In case payment by international card is required, the domiciliary authorized intermediary is authorized to issue named international payment cards loaded in dinars according to any document issued by the foreign university or educational institution, indicating the amount, schedule, and payment method. The settlement of these expenses must be made directly to the beneficiaries specified in the first paragraph of this article.

SECTION IV - COMMON PROVISIONS
Article 23 - In case the student or pupil fails to submit the enrollment certificate a posteriori to the domiciliary authorized intermediary for the study file abroad within the period provided by Article 8, said intermediary is required to suspend any transfer related to this file and inform the Central Bank of Tunisia within the period and according to the procedures set by Article 31 of this circular.

Article 24 - The change of filing for the file mentioned in Article 8 with another authorized intermediary is carried out upon request by the student or their representative, accompanied by a certificate issued by the initial domiciliary authorized intermediary, specifying the amounts of transfers executed under said file. The initial domiciliary authorized intermediary is required to hand over to the concerned student or their representative the documents in its possession that served to constitute the filing file, while retaining a copy of these documents.

Article 25 - Any transfer to abroad executed under this circular must result in the issuance of an information form, in accordance with the provisions of Circular to Authorized Intermediaries No. 97-02 of January 24, 1997, regarding information forms.
The cash or check issuance of allowances covering installation and living expenses for studies or academic internships abroad must result in the handover, by the authorized intermediary, of a foreign currency export authorization to the student or pupil, established in accordance with the conditions stipulated in Circular to Authorized Intermediaries No. 2016-10 of December 30, 2016, regarding the authorization for foreign currency export in banknotes and by checks.

Article 26 - In case of non-receipt of the residence visa from the competent authorities of the host country or abandonment of the planned studies or academic internship abroad, the student or pupil or their representative must undertake all necessary and possible procedures to recover the transferred funds under this circular, within a maximum period of 15 working days from the date of refusal by said authorities or abandonment of studies.
The recovered foreign currency funds must be repatriated and converted back into dinars within 60 days from the effective date of recovery of these funds.

SECTION V - CONTROL OBLIGATIONS AND PROCEDURES
Article 27 - The authorized intermediary is required to establish control rules and appropriate procedures to ensure the proper application of ceilings and procedures authorized by this circular, particularly within its information system.
It must also adapt its internal control framework to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Article 28 - The authorized intermediary is required to verify all required elements and examine the documents required by this circular to ensure their apparent authenticity.

Article 29 - The filing of any file not meeting one of the conditions set forth in this circular, as well as any fund transfer exceeding regulatory ceilings, must be subject to a prior authorization request. This request must be submitted to the Central Bank of Tunisia through an authorized intermediary, accompanied by all appropriate elements and supporting documents.

Article 30 - In the context of control obligations, authorized intermediaries are required to retain all documents required by this circular in easily accessible files. Furthermore, they must establish a database consolidating all necessary information to respond to any request from the Central Bank of Tunisia.

SECTION VI - DECLARATION TO THE CENTRAL BANK
Article 31 - Authorized Intermediaries are required to declare monthly to the Central Bank of Tunisia via the Data Exchange System (SED) no later than the 10th of the following month:

• A statement of transfer files for studies abroad filed with their services, suspended or closed due to change of filing, during the previous month;
• A statement of transfers executed for study expenses abroad during the previous month;
• A statement of transfers executed for academic internship expenses abroad during the previous month;
  The declarations of the aforementioned statements must be submitted to the Central Bank of Tunisia in accordance with the technical guide downloadable via the SED.

Article 32 - Authorized intermediaries must transmit to the Central Bank of Tunisia the data appearing on the information forms provided for in the first paragraph of Article 25 of this circular, according to the procedures and deadlines set by Circular No. 97-02 of January 24, 1997 regarding information forms.

SECTION VII - TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 33 - Allowances for installation and living expenses, which have not yet been transferred in the context of study files abroad filed with an authorized intermediary before the effective date of this circular, may be transferred within the limits of amounts and according to the conditions established by