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Sahara Iron Trail
The road through the Adrar desert plateau towards Atar in Mauritania

Mauritania Visa: How the E-Visa Works in 2026

Visas on arrival ended in January 2025. This is how the e-visa works now, from a local team that meets travellers at the airport every season.

Von Cheikh, Gründer von Sahara Iron Trail · Das Team kennenlernen · Aktualisiert am 20. Oktober 2026

Many travel guides and older blog posts still say you can get a Mauritanian visa on arrival. That changed on 5 January 2025: since then, travellers who need a visa must apply for an e-visa online before they fly. The good news is that it is simple once you know the steps. This is how it works as of October 2026; rules can change, so always check the official portal before you book flights.

Do you need a visa for Mauritania?

Most nationalities do, including travellers from the UK, the EU, the US, Canada and Australia. A small number of countries, mostly in West Africa, can visit without a visa. If you are not sure, check the official portal or the nearest Mauritanian embassy.

How to apply for the e-visa

  • Apply online on the official portal of the national agency ANRPTS (anrpts.gov.mr), before you travel
  • The portal offers 30-day, 90-day and 360-day visas; choose the one that matches your trip
  • Upload your passport and a photo, and enter your travel details; if the form asks for your accommodation or itinerary, use the details in your booking confirmation
  • Print the approval and keep it with your passport: you show it on arrival

How long does it take?

Travellers report anything from about a day to around ten days. Apply at least two to three weeks before you fly, and do not book non-refundable flights until you have the approval, or choose flights you can change.

Paying the visa fee

The visa fee is paid in cash when you arrive in Mauritania, in euros or US dollars. Bring the exact amount: change is not always available. Recent travellers report a fee of €55, but check the current amount before you travel. At the airport your photo and fingerprints are taken before the visa is issued.

What else to bring

  • A passport valid for at least six months after your arrival date
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever
  • Printed copies of your e-visa approval
  • Plenty of passport copies: there are police checkpoints on the desert roads, and handing over a copy speeds them up
Gruppentermine Der Eisenerzzug Nouakchott Nouadhibou Mauretanien Reiseführer

Häufige Fragen

Can I still get a visa on arrival in Mauritania?

No. Since 5 January 2025 Mauritania no longer issues visas on arrival. Travellers who need a visa must apply for an e-visa online before they travel.

Where do I apply for the Mauritania e-visa?

On the official portal of the national agency ANRPTS, anrpts.gov.mr. Be careful with look-alike websites that charge extra fees.

How much is the Mauritania visa?

The fee is paid in cash on arrival, in euros or US dollars. Recent travellers report €55; check the current amount before you travel.

Do I need the e-visa to cross by land from Morocco or Senegal?

Yes. The e-visa covers entry at the international border posts as well as the airports, so apply before you set off.

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