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
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)
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.