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Mauritania

🇲🇷Mauritania Visa 2026: Entry Requirements

Africa· Updated 10/10/2026

Do you need a visa for Mauritania?

It depends on your passport. Out of 195 nationalities documented by IziVisas, 10 enter Mauritania visa-free and 185 obtain an e-visa or a visa on arrival.

Visa-free

10

nationalities

E-visa

185

nationalities

Check the rule for your nationality

Pick your passport for the exact 2026 rule: fee, processing time, allowed stay and documents.

Data updated on · Official source

Rules by nationality cross-checked against the official list (diplomatie.gov.mr), read on .

Pick your nationality to see the rule

Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal

Mauritania visa requirements by nationality

The entry regime Mauritania applies to the passports most often checked on IziVisas. Open a row for the fee, the processing time, the documents and the allowed stay of that exact route.

All nationalities

Mauritania visa types, fees and processing times

Every visa category Mauritania publishes, with the official fee, the allowed stay and the processing time when the source states them. Eligibility depends on your nationality: open your route for the rule that applies to your passport.

Mauritania visa types published by IziVisas, 2026. Data updated on . Government fees only. Application centres and agencies charge their own service fee on top.
VisaCategoryAllowed stayOfficial feeProcessing timeEntriesOfficial source
Short-stay (tourism)Short stay90 daysPortal
Business visaBusiness90 days55-160 EUR15 business daysMultiplePortal
Work visaWork1 year (renewable)200 EUR30 business daysMultiplePortal

Visas

Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)

Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.

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See activities

Information

Capital

Nouakchott

Population

4,830,000

Currency

Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU UM)

Languages

Arabic, French, Pulaar, Soninke

Continent

Africa

Calling code

+222

Timezone

Africa/Nouakchott

Area

1,030,700 km²

Government

Islamic Republic Presidential

National day

November 28 - Independence Day

Internet domain

.mr

About

Mauritania is a West African country in the Sahel region, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its vast desert, mining resources such as gold and iron, and emerging natural gas sector. The population is largely nomadic or semi-nomadic with a growing economy.

Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)

Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

See SafetyWing coverage

Safety

Risk level:High risk due to terrorism, crime, and instability in the north and east.

Risk areas

North and East (Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Inchiri) - Terrorism and kidnappingsMali border - High terrorism riskNouakchott - Moderate crime

Crime(Medium)

  • Avoid walking alone at night
  • Do not display valuables

Terrorism(High)

  • Avoid northern and eastern border areas
  • Follow travel advisories

Transport

  • Rent a 4x4 with driver
  • Avoid night buses

Natural risks(Low, but seasonal floods and sandstorms)

  • Check weather during the rainy season

Health(Limited healthcare system, under-equipped hospitals)

  • Mandatory vaccines: yellow fever
  • Bottled water, malaria prophylaxis

Practical tips

  • Register with the consulate before departure
  • Mandatory repatriation insurance
  • Respect Islamic dress code

Accommodation (Hotels.com)

Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Compare places to stay

Cost of living

Accommodation

Studio in the city centre$250 – $500
1-bedroom apartment in the city centre$380 – $750
1-bedroom apartment outside the centre$250 – $500
3-bedroom apartment in the city centre$750 – $1,600
3-bedroom apartment outside the centre$450 – $1,000

Food

Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$5
Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant$35
McDonald’s meal or equivalent$7
Cappuccino$3
Bottled water (1.5 L)$0.75
Bread (500 g)$0.75
Milk (1 L)$1.60
Eggs (12)$2.30
Chicken fillets (1 kg)$7
Apples (1 kg)$2.50
Bananas (1 kg)$1.80

Transport

Public transport, one way$0.60
Taxi, starting fare$2.50
Taxi, per km$0.60
Petrol (1 L)$1.30

Leisure

Gym (monthly membership)$45
Tennis court (1 h at the weekend)$10
Theatre ticket$10

Health

GP consultation$30
Dentist consultation$30
Antibiotics (one pack)$5
Cold medicine (6 days)$7

Others

Home internet (60 Mbps or more, monthly)$60
Mobile plan (calls + 10 GB, monthly)$10
Utilities for an 85 m² home (monthly)$90
Levi’s 501 jeans or similar$70
Nike sports shoes$110
International primary school (monthly)$700

Indicative prices in USD in Nouakchott · estimated in October 2026

eSIM data (Saily)

Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Choose an eSIM

Practical information

Electricity

Voltage220V
Frequency50Hz
Plug typesType C, Type E

Emergency numbers

Police17
Ambulance25
Fire department18

Practical information

Driving side

Right

Tap water

unsafe

Tipping

Not common, 5-10% optional

Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)

Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

See activities

Photos

Mauritania

Mauritania

Ben Khatry

Mauritania

Mauritania

Ben Khatry

Mauritania

Mauritania

Francesco Ungaro

Mauritania

Mauritania

laye Photographe

Mauritania

Mauritania

Francesco Ungaro

Mauritania

Mauritania

laye Photographe

Mauritania

Mauritania

ⵎⵓⵏⵉⵔ ⵃⴰⴵⵓⵊⴰ

Mauritania

Mauritania

Jean Marc Bonnel

Mauritania

Mauritania

laye Photographe

Mauritania

Mauritania

Ben Khatry

Mauritania

Mauritania

Son Tung Tran

Mauritania

Mauritania

Mohamed Yassine

Mauritania

Mauritania

Yassmeen Abdelaziz

Mauritania

Mauritania

Samuel Phillips

Mauritania

Mauritania

Francesco Ungaro

Mauritania

Mauritania

Driss Oub

Mauritania

Mauritania

Fernanda Araujo

Mauritania

Mauritania

Sergey Guk

Mauritania

Mauritania

Diego F. Parra

Mauritania

Mauritania

Jean Marc Bonnel

Plan your trip

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Guides to prepare your trip

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a visa to travel to Mauritania?▾

It depends on your passport. IziVisas documents the entry regime for Mauritania across 195 nationalities: 10 visa-free, 185 with an e-visa. Pick yours for the exact rule, with documents, fees and processing times.

Check by my nationality →
How much does a Mauritania visa cost?▾

Fees vary by visa type and nationality. The lowest published official fee is 55 EUR (Business visa). These are government fees only, providers and visa application centres add their own service charge.

Is it dangerous to travel to Mauritania?▾

The overall risk level is currently rated "High risk due to terrorism, crime, and instability in the north and east.". See the Safety tab on this page for details by topic (crime, transport, health, areas to avoid) and practical tips.

What currency is used in Mauritania?▾

The official currency is Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU UM). See sample prices (accommodation, meals, transport) in the cost of living section above.

What is the capital of Mauritania?▾

The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott. The main spoken languages are: Arabic, French, Pulaar, Soninke.

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