Mauritania entry requirements for Iraq 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
Iraqi passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. This has been the case for 2026 — no need to apply in advance. Just show up at Nouakchott International Airport with the right documents and cash for the fee.
Apply for Mauritania eVisaOfficial portal: Mauritania eVisa Portal
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Visa on arrival | Apply for a Mauritania eVisa at maave.gov.mr before travel. The eVisa is valid for 30 days and costs around $55 USD. Processing takes 3–5 business days — do not wait until the last minute.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Mauritania. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | 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 ready on your phone. Without one, you may be refused entry. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Immigration may ask where you are staying — having proof avoids delays. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient cash or card | Have at least $200 USD in cash or a credit card showing available funds. Immigration rarely checks, but if asked, you need to show you can cover your stay. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa on arrival counter at Nouakchott Airport accepts only cash — no credit or debit cards. Bring 55–60 USD or the equivalent in euros in small bills. Change is not always available, so exact amount is best.
No advance application needed
You do not need to apply for a visa before traveling. Just show up at Nouakchott International Airport with your passport, return ticket, and cash. The process is straightforward and takes about 10–15 minutes.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Nouakchott International Airport
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There is a dedicated counter before passport control.
2
Submit documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, return ticket (if asked), and pay the visa fee in cash (USD or EUR). The officer will process your visa — usually takes 10–15 minutes.
3
Receive visa and proceed to passport control
Once the visa is stamped in your passport, go to the passport control queue. The officer will check your visa and let you through.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, collect your bags from the carousel and proceed through customs. No arrival declaration form needed.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Iraq 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)
Apply at Mauritanian embassy abroad; similar to visa on arrival but pre-arranged.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost€110 (approx. $120 USD)
Available at embassy; allows multiple entries.
Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost€200 (approx. $220 USD)
Requires sponsorship or proof of sufficient funds; for longer stays.
work visa
Carte de Séjour (Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
~€150 (approx. $165 USD) per year
For those with a job offer in Mauritania. Requires employer sponsorship and work contract. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Visa Étudiant
1 year, renewable annually
~€100 (approx. $110 USD) per year
For enrolled students at a Mauritanian institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Visa Investisseur
2 years, renewable
~€500 (approx. $550 USD) initial fee
For investors with a minimum investment of ~$50,000 USD in a local business. Requires business plan and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival entry feePayable in cash (euros or USD) upon arrival at Nouakchott or Nouadhibou airports. | €55 (approx. $60 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayNo official cap reported; avoid overstaying. | €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
Iraqi passport holders transiting through Mauritania do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
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; 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; CDC recommends prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) and mosquito bite prevention.
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 Documentation et de l'Immigration
Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, Nouakchott
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency permits. Bring passport, photos, and fee in cash.
Nouadhibou
Bureau Régional de l'Immigration
Near Port de Nouadhibou, Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions for travellers in the north. Limited services; arrive early.
Practical information for IQ 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 fee is typically 55–60 USD or the equivalent in euros. Pay in cash at the counter — no cards accepted. Bring exact change if possible.
The visa on arrival is available at Nouakchott International Airport. For land border crossings (e.g., from Senegal or Morocco), check with the nearest Mauritanian embassy before you travel, as procedures may differ.
The visa on arrival is typically valid for a stay of up to 30 days. Extensions are possible but not guaranteed — you'd need to visit the immigration office in Nouakchott before your visa expires.
Extensions are not officially listed as available, but in practice you can apply at the Direction de l'Immigration in Nouakchott. Bring your passport, a recent photo, and the extension fee (around 20–30 USD). Start the process at least a week before your visa expires.
You will likely be denied entry. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before traveling to Mauritania.
Mauritania requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Iraq is not a risk country, but if you've traveled elsewhere recently, check the latest requirements. Carry your vaccination card just in case.
Mauritania is generally safe for tourists, but exercise normal precautions. Avoid remote border areas and keep valuables secure. Register with your embassy on arrival for updates.
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.