Mauritania entry requirements for Switzerland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 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
Swiss passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. As of 2026, you'll receive a 30-day tourist visa at Nouakchott International Airport or any land border crossing. Have your documents ready and pay the fee in cash.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply before travel | Apply for a Mauritania eVisa at maave.gov.mr/en/. The online form takes about 10 minutes — upload your passport scan and a passport photo. Approval usually comes within 72 hours, and you'll receive a PDF to show on arrival.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must cover your stay | Your Swiss passport needs at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Mauritania does not enforce a 6-month validity rule — just make sure it's valid for the entire duration of your trip. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure | Immigration officers at Nouakchott Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot of your booking ready — they won't let you through without it. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host letter | Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter from your host. Officers rarely ask for it, but having it ready avoids delays at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Cash or card statement | Bring a bank statement or credit card showing you can cover your stay. There's no fixed minimum, but around $100–$200 per day is a safe benchmark if questioned. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa fee
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash — euros or US dollars. No credit cards, no ATMs at the counter. Bring crisp, clean bills. If you don't have the right amount, you might have trouble.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
The process at Nouakchott Airport is well-practised for Swiss passport holders. Have your documents ready, pay the fee, and you'll be through in 10–20 minutes. No need to apply in advance.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Nouakchott Airport
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There's a dedicated counter before passport control. Queue up, hand over your passport, return ticket, and accommodation proof. Pay the fee in cash (euros or dollars). They'll process your visa and stamp you in. The whole thing takes 10–20 minutes.
2
Passport control
Once you have the visa, proceed to the main passport control line. The officer will check your passport, visa, and may ask a few questions (purpose of visit, where you're staying). Answer clearly. You'll get an entry stamp.
3
Baggage claim and customs
After passport control, collect your luggage. Customs is usually straightforward — just walk through unless you have something to declare.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Switzerland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 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)
Apply at Mauritanian embassy abroad; same as VoA but pre-arranged.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost€110 (approx. $120 USD)
For frequent travellers; must apply at embassy.
Long-stay visa
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost€200 (approx. $220 USD)
Requires sponsorship or work permit; apply at embassy.
work visa
Travail et Séjour (Work and Residence Permit)
1 year, renewable
€300–€500 (approx. $330–$550 USD) plus employer fees
For those with a Mauritanian employer. Requires work contract, medical check, and approval from Ministry of Labor. Allows long-term residence.
investor visa
Investor Residence Permit
2 years, renewable
€1,000+ (approx. $1,100+ USD) depending on investment
For individuals investing at least $50,000 in a Mauritanian business. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Grants residency and work rights.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (EUR or USD) at Nouakchott or Nouadhibou airport. | €55 (approx. $60 USD) |
| Overstay finePay at immigration office before departure; avoid accumulation. | €10 per day (approx. $11 USD), max cap unknown |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete travel 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
Swiss passport holders transiting through Mauritania do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing immigration. However, if leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Mauritanian visa may transit freely.
- Diplomatic passport holders may have different rules.
Transit hubsNouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC) · Nouadhibou International Airport (NDB)
Health & vaccines for Mauritania
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in southern regions; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occasional outbreaks in urban areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to poor sanitation; drink bottled water and eat thoroughly cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
High risk in all regions, especially during rainy season (July–October). CDC recommends atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline prophylaxis.
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 de l'Immigration et des Passeports
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, photos, and fee in cash.
Nouadhibou
Bureau de l'Immigration de Nouadhibou
Near Port de Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions for travellers in the north; limited services.
Practical information for CH 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 = 40.06 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 standard visa on arrival is valid for 30 days. It's a single-entry visa. If you need longer, you can apply for an extension at the immigration office in Nouakchott.
Yes, it's possible to extend your stay. Go to the Direction de l'Immigration in Nouakchott (near the airport). The extension costs around 1,000 MRU (about €25) and can give you an additional 30 days. Start the process a few days before your visa expires.
You can get a visa on arrival at any official land border crossing, like the one from Senegal at Rosso or from Mali. The process is similar — show your passport, pay the fee, and get the visa. Have cash ready in euros or dollars.
Yes, you can apply for a visa at the Mauritanian embassy in Bern or any other embassy abroad. But for most Swiss travellers, the visa on arrival is simpler and faster. The embassy process takes several days and requires more paperwork.
Euros or US dollars are preferred. Bring crisp, clean bills — no tears, marks, or folds. The fee is around €55–€60, but it can vary slightly. Have exact change if possible. There's no ATM at the visa counter.
If you're arriving directly from Switzerland, no. But if you've been in a country with yellow fever (like parts of sub-Saharan Africa) within 6 days before arrival, you'll need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Check the latest requirements before you travel.
Mauritania is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime like pickpocketing can happen in markets and crowded areas. Avoid travelling alone at night outside cities. The southern and eastern border regions have security risks — check your government's travel advisory before booking.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.