Mauritania visas
Whether you need a visa for Mauritania depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip: a small number of nationalities enter visa-free under bilateral agreements, while most travellers must obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) before arrival. Since 5 January 2025 the e-Visa is issued online through the National Agency for the Population Register and Secure Titles (ANRPTS), which replaced the former visa-on-arrival and embassy sticker system. Visa policy is set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, and applications are processed through the official ANRPTS portal.
Mauritanian visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Mauritania — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.3 visas
- Work visasComing to Mauritania to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Mauritania — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Mauritania.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Mauritania as a highly skilled individual.1 visa
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Mauritania long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
Mauritanian visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa to Mauritania
A visa is required for visitors to Mauritania, save for those who travel from one of the visa-exempt countries or who arrive via Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport. Visas may be obtained at one of the Mauritanian diplomatic missions. Unless you reside from any of the following Countries, you will be required to obtain a visa.
- Algeria
- Ivory Coast
- Gambia
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Senegal
- Syria
- Tunisia
Entry into Mauritania
Passengers arriving in Mauritania are required to present proof of a negative PCR test conducted within three days prior to arrival. Arriving passengers in Mauritania must undergo a contactless temperature check. Passengers arriving with a fever must consent to a PCR or fast antigen test. While waiting for the test result, you must self-isolate for 10 days at your own expense in a hotel or your home. If the test is negative, you are permitted to leave self-isolation before the 10-day term expires.
Criteria to apply for a Mauritania Visa
The criteria to apply for a visa is simple and straight forward. Providing you follow the criteria listed below, you should have no problem obtaining a visa on entry.
- Visa On Arrival.
- Possess a passport valid for at least six months upon entry, with two visa page(s) remaining blank.
- Maintain evidence of sufficient funds.
- Hold documentation of your onward and return flights.
- Hold all necessary travel paperwork for your future destination.
Processing Time For Mauritania Visas
The visa issuing upon arrival could take several hours. The London Embassy does not issue these visas.
Appointment Waiting Times
Visas will be issued as soon as possible after five (5) business days if all application requirements are met. The applicant must submit an application at least one month before to departure. A visa does not ensure admittance into Mauritius.
Who Can Visit Mauritania Without a Visa?
Nationals from the following Countries do not require a visa to enter Mauritania.
- Algeria
- Ivory Coast
- Gambia
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Senegal
- Syria
- Tunisia
Mauritania — key facts
- Visa authority
- National Agency for the Population Register and Secure Titles (ANRPTS)
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU)
- Time zone
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0)
Mauritanian visas — people also ask
Mauritania is the final nation to outlaw slavery... The bay of Nouadhibou in Mauritania contains one of the greatest "ship graveyards" in the world. Mauritania is a desert country, with two-thirds of its territory occupied by the Sahara desert!
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.