Mauritania entry requirements for Sweden 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
Swedish passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. You don't need to apply in advance — just show up at the airport with the right documents and pay the fee. As of 2026, this is the standard entry method for Swedish citizens.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply for Mauritania eVisa | Apply for your Mauritania eVisa at the official MAAVE portal before you travel. The online form takes about 10 minutes and you need a passport scan and a digital photo. Approval usually comes within 72 hours — print the approval letter and carry it with your passport.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your Swedish passport must be valid for the entire period you plan to stay in Mauritania. Airlines at Arlanda and other EU hubs will check this before you board — if your passport expires before you leave Mauritania, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Mauritania | Immigration at Nouakchott International Airport asks for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Budget carriers like Air France and Royal Air Maroc also check this at check-in. Have a printed copy or a screenshot ready on your phone. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Border officers sometimes ask where you are staying, especially if you arrive without a pre-booked hotel. A printed hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address is enough. I keep a screenshot of my booking on my phone just in case. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Immigration may ask how you plan to pay for your stay. Have a bank statement or a credit card with a visible limit ready. I always carry a printout of my last statement — it takes 2 minutes and avoids delays. | Recommended |
Cash only at visa counter
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in cash — euros or US dollars. There are no ATMs before passport control, and cards are not accepted. Bring enough to cover the fee plus a little extra in case of rate fluctuations.
Visa on arrival is straightforward but can be slow
The process at Nouakchott Airport usually takes 20–40 minutes, but it can be longer during peak hours. Don't rush — just follow the signs and have your documents ready. The staff are used to processing Swedish passports.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Nouakchott International Airport
You'll land at the main international airport in Nouakchott. Follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration' — it's usually a separate counter before passport control.
2
Fill out the visa application form
You'll be given a short form to complete. Basic info: name, passport number, flight details, accommodation address. Have your booking confirmations handy.
3
Pay the visa fee in cash
Hand over your passport, photos (if asked), and the fee in euros or USD. The officer will process the visa sticker and paste it into your passport.
4
Proceed to passport control
Once you have the visa sticker, go to the passport control line. Show your passport with the visa, your boarding pass, and your return ticket if asked. You'll get an entry stamp.
5
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, head to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually no further checks unless you're carrying restricted items.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Sweden 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 once for 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€55 (approx. $60 USD)
Apply at Mauritanian embassy abroad; may allow longer stay than visa on arrival.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost€110 (approx. $120 USD)
For frequent travellers; must apply in advance.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in euros or US dollars at the airport upon arrival. | €55 (approx. $60 USD) |
| Overstay fineOverstay penalties are enforced; avoid overstaying your visa-free period. | Unknown per day, typically moderate |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
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
Swedish passport holders transiting through Mauritania's airports do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- No visa needed for airside transit up to 24 hours.
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, especially during rainy season.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to limited sanitation; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present year-round in all regions; CDC recommends prophylaxis such as atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline.
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 residency permits; bring passport, photos, and fee.
Nouadhibou
Commissariat de Police (Immigration Section)
Near Port de Pêche, 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 SE 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 fee is typically around €55–€100 depending on the length of stay and current rates. Pay in cash in euros or US dollars. Cards are not accepted at the visa counter.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. You must leave before it expires. If you need a longer stay, you'd have to apply for a different visa type before traveling.
The standard stay is usually 30 days, but it can vary. The officer will stamp the exact duration in your passport. Check it before leaving the counter.
If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever, you'll need a vaccination certificate. For direct travel from Sweden, it's not required, but check your itinerary for any transit stops in affected countries.
Visa on arrival is available at most official land border crossings, but the process may be slower and less standardized. The airport in Nouakchott is the most reliable place to get it. Have extra cash and patience if crossing by land.
If you're transiting and not leaving the airport, you generally don't need a visa. But if you plan to exit the transit area, you'll need the visa on arrival. Check with your airline for transit-specific rules.
Your passport (valid 6+ months), a return or onward ticket, and cash for the fee. Accommodation confirmation and passport photos are helpful but not always required. The officer may ask for proof of funds — have a bank statement or credit card ready.
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.