Mauritania entry requirements for South Africa passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed August 6, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
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
South African passport holders need an e-visa to enter Mauritania. You must apply online before you travel — there's no visa-on-arrival option. The process is straightforward, but make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Apply for Mauritania eVisaOfficial portal: Mauritania eVisa Portal
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-visa for MauritaniaYou must have an approved e-visa before you board your flight to Mauritania. Apply online before travel | South African passport holders must obtain an e-visa prior to arrival. Apply at the official Mauritanian e-visa portal (https://www.evisa.mr/) at least several days before departure. The e-visa is not extendable. | Required |
| Passport validityCheck your passport expiry date — if it's less than 6 months away, renew it before traveling. At least 6 months beyond your stay | Your South African passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into Mauritania. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesMauritanian border officials need a clean page to stamp your passport. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must have at least 1 blank page for entry and exit stamps. It is recommended to have 2 blank pages to avoid issues. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketHave your flight itinerary ready — airlines and border officials often ask for it. Proof of departure | You may be asked to show a return or onward flight ticket proving you will leave Mauritania before your e-visa expires. | Required |
| Proof of fundsIt's not always checked, but having proof of funds can speed up entry if asked. Sufficient money for your stay | Carry evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., bank statements, credit cards) to cover your expenses during your time in Mauritania. The amount is not fixed but should match your planned activities. | Recommended |
| Arrival declarationYou don't need to fill out any arrival form before landing. Not required | No arrival declaration or health form is required for South African passport holders entering Mauritania. | Not required |
| E-visa application documentsGather these documents before starting the online application to avoid delays. Prepare before applying | When applying for the e-visa, you will need a digital copy of your passport bio page, a recent passport-style photo, and a valid email address. Payment is made online. | Required |
No visa on arrival — don't chance it
South African passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. If you fly without an approved e-visa, you'll be denied boarding and entry. Apply well in advance.
Passport validity is strict
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Even if you have a valid e-visa, an expiring passport will get you turned away.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for the e-visa online
Go to https://www.evisa.mr/ and fill out the application form. You'll need your passport details, travel dates, and a digital photo. Pay the fee online with a credit or debit card. Processing usually takes a few business days, so apply at least a week before your flight.
2
Receive your e-visa by email
Once approved, you'll get an email with your e-visa. Print it out — having a physical copy is safer than relying on your phone, especially if your battery dies or you lose signal.
3
Check in for your flight
At the airline check-in counter, show your passport and the printed e-visa. The airline will verify your visa before issuing a boarding pass. If you don't have it, they won't let you board.
4
Arrive at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport
After landing, follow signs to immigration. Present your passport, the e-visa, and any other documents (return ticket, accommodation). The officer will stamp your passport and let you through. Then collect your luggage and exit.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · South Africa Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 6, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Long-stay e-Visa (multiple entry, 90 days)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost$180 (approx. 6,700 MRU)
Apply online; requires proof of accommodation and return ticket.
Business visa (single entry, 30 days)
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$150 (approx. 5,600 MRU)
Requires invitation letter from Mauritanian company and business registration documents.
work visa
Travail et Séjour (Work and Residence Permit)
1 year, renewable
~$200–500 USD (employer-sponsored)
For foreign workers with a Mauritanian employer. Requires work contract and approval from Ministry of Labor.
student visa
Visa Étudiant (Student Visa)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD
For enrolled students at recognized Mauritanian institutions. Requires proof of admission and sufficient funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| e-Visa fee (single entry, 30 days)Paid online before travel; non-refundable. | $120 (approx. 4,500 MRU) |
| Visa on arrival (if eligible)Only at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport; cash in euros or dollars. | $55 (approx. 2,000 MRU) |
| Extension of stay (up to 30 days)Apply at the Immigration Department in Nouakchott before current visa expires. | $30 (approx. 1,100 MRU) |
| Exit fee (airport tax)No separate payment at the airport. | Included in airline ticket |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds proof30%
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
Transit visa required
South African passport holders transiting through Mauritania require a transit visa unless they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.
Exceptions & conditions
- Diplomatic or official passport holders
- Crew members on duty
Transit hubsNouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC)
Health & vaccines for Mauritania
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialPolioRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in southern regions; prophylaxis recommended.
DengueModerate risk
Occasional outbreaks, especially during rainy season.
Food/waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to limited 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, 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 Documentation et des Migrations
Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, Nouakchott
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency matters.
Nouadhibou
Direction Régionale de la Documentation
Near Port de Pêche, Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00
Handles immigration for northern region and border crossings.
Practical information for ZA 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
Processing typically takes 2–5 business days, but it can take longer. Apply at least a week before your flight to be safe. The official site is https://www.evisa.mr/.
The fee is paid online during the application. The exact amount is shown on the e-visa website — it varies depending on your nationality and length of stay. Expect to pay in the range of $50–$100 USD.
No, the e-visa is not extendable. You must leave before it expires. If you need to stay longer, you'd have to exit the country and reapply.
You'll be refused entry and sent back on the next flight. There's no visa-on-arrival for South African passport holders. Don't risk it — get the e-visa before you fly.
Only if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. South Africa is not on that list, but if you've travelled through a risk country in the 6 days before arrival, you'll need to show a yellow fever certificate.
The standard e-visa is single-entry. If you leave Mauritania, you'll need to apply for a new visa to re-enter. Check the e-visa website for any multi-entry options.
Contact the Mauritanian embassy or the e-visa support team (via the website) to ask why. You can also reapply with corrected information. Make sure your passport details match exactly — a common reason for rejection is a typo.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on August 6, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.