Mauritania entry requirements for Argentina passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Argentina passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. You'll handle it at the airport in Nouakchott — no need to apply in advance. This policy is current as of 2026.
Apply for Mauritania eVisaOfficial portal: Mauritania eVisa Portal
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Mauritania eVisa | Apply online at the MAAVE portal before you fly. The eVisa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and costs around $55 USD. Print the approval letter and carry it with your passport — immigration at Nouakchott airport checks it before stamping you in.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay | Your Argentine passport needs at least 6 months of remaining validity from your date of entry. Airlines at Ezeiza and Nouakchott enforce this strictly — no exceptions. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Mauritania | Immigration at Nouakchott airport asks for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone — they check this before letting you through. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Immigration officers occasionally ask for it, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient cash or card for your stay | Have at least $200 USD in cash or a credit card with available balance. Immigration may ask how you plan to support yourself — showing a bank statement or cash works. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa counter at Nouakchott airport does not accept cards. Bring enough euros or US dollars in small bills to cover the fee (around €55 or $60). ATMs in Mauritania are scarce and often out of order — plan your cash needs for the entire stay.
Visa on arrival is straightforward but expect a queue
What happens at the border
1
Land at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport
After deplaning, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There's a dedicated counter before passport control.
2
Fill out the visa application form
A short form with your name, passport number, flight details, and address in Mauritania. Staff can help if needed.
3
Pay the visa fee in cash
Hand over the fee in euros or US dollars. Get a receipt — keep it with your passport.
4
Receive your visa and proceed to passport control
The officer stamps your passport with the visa. Then go to the main passport control queue, show your passport and visa, and you're in.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Argentina Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€55 (approx. $60 USD)
Obtainable on arrival or in advance at embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost€110 (approx. $120 USD)
Requires advance application at Mauritanian embassy.
Long-stay visa (e.g., work or study)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€200 (approx. $220 USD)
Requires employer or institution sponsorship; apply at embassy.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in euros or USD cash at entry point. | €55 (approx. $60 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayNo maximum cap known; avoid overstay. | €10 (approx. $11 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Mauritania
No transit visa needed
Argentina passport holders transiting through Mauritania do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. For landside transit or exiting the airport, a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsNouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC)
Health & vaccines for Mauritania
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission; otherwise not mandatory.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialRabiesRecommendedMeningococcal meningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in southern regions; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occasional outbreaks, especially in urban areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to poor sanitation; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
High risk throughout Mauritania, especially in the south. CDC recommends prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine).
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Nouakchott
Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (Immigration)
Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, Nouakchott
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00
Main office for visa extensions and overstay fines; bring passport, visa, and fee in cash.
Nouadhibou
Commissariat de Police (Immigration Section)
Boulevard de la Résistance, Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00
Handles extensions for visitors in the north; limited English spoken.
Practical information for AR travellers
Country basics
CapitalNouakchott
LanguageArabic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 3 months; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyMauritanian ouguiya (MRU)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 39.92 MRU
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,E,FTypes C (Europlug), E (French), and F (Schuko) are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The visa on arrival is available at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport. For land borders or other ports, check with the nearest Mauritanian embassy before you travel — policies may differ.
Typically 30 days. The exact duration is stamped in your passport at the airport. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for an extension at the immigration office in Nouakchott before your visa expires.
Yes, but it's not automatic. Visit the Direction Générale de la Documentation Territoriale in Nouakchott. Bring your passport, a completed application form, and a reason for the extension (e.g., work, travel delays). Fees are around 1,000–2,000 MRU (about $25–$50). Start the process at least a week before your visa expires.
Overstays are fined at the immigration office or at the airport when you leave. The fine is roughly 500 MRU per day overstayed (about $13). Pay in cash — they may not accept cards.
If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever, you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Argentina is not a yellow fever country, so you likely won't need it unless you've recently traveled to an affected area. Check the latest WHO guidelines before you go.
No. The visa on arrival counter only accepts cash — euros or US dollars. Bring small bills (€10, €20, or $10, $20) to avoid change issues. ATMs in Nouakchott are unreliable, so bring enough cash for the whole trip.
Mauritania is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime like pickpocketing can happen in markets and crowded areas. Avoid traveling alone at night outside Nouakchott. The desert regions are remote — always travel with a guide or in a group. Check your government's travel advisory before booking.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.