Mauritania:Visa Requirements

MauritaniaLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

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Mauritania Visa Requirements Map

Mauritania: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • Visa exemption is limited to the passport type and conditions specified in the relevant reciprocal agreement. An exemption granted only to diplomatic, service or official passports does not automatically apply to holders of ordinary passports. The passenger must carry a passport or travel document that is valid and falls under the exemption applicable to them.
  • The minimum validity period that the passport must have on the date of entry has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The required number of blank pages in the passport, the requirement for a machine-readable or biometric passport, and specific acceptance criteria for damaged passports have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The maximum permitted duration of stay for visa-free entry has not been published as a common period for all passengers. The duration of stay may vary depending on the applicable bilateral agreement and the type of passport used.
  • There is no central document checklist stating that a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, invitation letter, proof of financial means, bank statement, and travel health insurance are mandatory for all visa-free travelers.
  • The minimum amount of financial means has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The period that the bank statement must cover has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The requirement for travel health insurance and the minimum coverage amount have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A central checklist regarding birth certificate, parental consent form, custody document, or documents showing family ties for children, applicable to all visa-free entries, has not been published.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • The e-visa application must be made through the online system of the Mauritanian National Agency for Population Registration and Secure Documents. The applicant must first select the visa option of 30, 90 or 360 days; then enter passport, passenger and travel details and check the application before payment.
  • The personal information and passport details entered in the application form must be accurate. The system provides for the application to go through the stages of “Visa Options”, “Passport”, “Passenger”, “Details” and “Check”.
  • An invitation letter, certificate or other supporting document related to the purpose of travel must be uploaded to the application. This file must be smaller than 400 KB. Which supporting document is appropriate may vary depending on the purpose of travel and the applicant's situation.
  • Which page of the passport must be scanned, the file format and technical specifications of the passport scan have not been definitively specified in the central official source. The minimum validity period that the passport must have has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The required number of blank pages in the passport has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The accepted types of passports and travel documents and the requirement for a machine-readable or biometric passport have not been definitively specified in the central official source. Specific criteria for accepting damaged passports have also not been specified in the central official source.
  • The size of the photograph, background color, date taken, file format, file size and other technical specifications have not been definitively specified in the central official source. The number of photographs required is also not definitively indicated in the publicly accessible central instructions.
  • There is no universal central checklist indicating that a flight reservation, return or onward ticket, hotel reservation, travel itinerary, employment certificate, salary certificate, student certificate or company documents are requested from all applicants. Supporting documents must be prepared in accordance with the purpose and conditions of the application.
  • Which documents will prove financial means, how many months the bank statement must cover, and the minimum amount that must be in the account have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Whether travel health insurance is mandatory and the minimum coverage amount that the insurance must have have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The application form includes a payment stage. The accepted payment methods have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The fee for a 30-day e-visa varies between EUR 40 or USD 45 and EUR 55 or USD 60, depending on the applicable geographic tariff group. The fee for a 90-day e-visa varies between EUR 70 or USD 75 and EUR 95 or USD 100. The 360-day option falls within the tariff band from three months to one year, and the fee varies between EUR 135 or USD 145 and EUR 190 or USD 200.
  • How long before travel the application must be made has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The official processing time has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The status of the application can be tracked online using the application number and passport details. Once the application is approved, the e-visa is obtained electronically via the application number.
  • The approved e-visa must be kept ready during travel and boarding. Whether the document must be carried in printed form, digital form, or both has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Procedures for collecting biometric data are carried out at the destination. This procedure is applied to complete the entry procedure into the country.
  • Electronic visas can be used at all international entry points. No general restriction limiting the visa to a specific airport, port or land border crossing has been published.
  • The portal offers 30, 90 and 360-day options. How these periods affect the distinction between the entry period during which the visa can be used and the maximum permitted duration of stay in the country has not been specified in detail in the publicly accessible central explanations.
  • Whether the visa is single-entry or multiple-entry has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The complete list of permitted travel purposes has also not been published on the central pages accessible before starting the application.
  • There is no central checklist explaining the requirements for birth certificate, parents' passports, custody document or consent form for minor applicants.
  • The requirements for translation, notarization, legalization or apostille of documents have not been definitively specified in the central official source. While fingerprints and other biometric data are collected on arrival, whether an interview or separate biometric registration is required before the application has not been clarified.
  • There is no central e-visa checklist explaining the requirements for a vaccination certificate or health certificate for all applicants.
Population
5,461,319(2026 est.)
Official language
Arabic
Government type
Presidential republic
Continent
Africa
Capital
Nouakchott
Currency
Mauritanian ouguiyas
Area
1,030,700 km²
Phone code
+222

Mauritania: Key Destinations

Nouakchott, the capital and largest city, serves as the primary gateway for international travelers arriving in Mauritania. Most flights land at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport, connecting the country to regional and international hubs. The coastal city of Nouadhibou is another important urban center, particularly for its fishing industry and proximity to the Banc d'Arguin National Park.

Mauritania offers a blend of Saharan desert landscapes and ancient cultural heritage. The historic ksar of Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage site, draws visitors interested in Islamic scholarship and traditional architecture. The Banc d'Arguin National Park, a UNESCO site along the Atlantic coast, is renowned for its birdlife and pristine sandbanks.

Travelers typically begin their journey in Nouakchott before venturing north to the Adrar region, which includes the towns of Atar and Chinguetti. Overland routes connect the capital to the interior, while some visitors take domestic flights to reach remote desert areas. A common itinerary combines the coastal attractions of Nouadhibou with the desert wonders of the interior.