🇺🇸United States

🇲🇷MauritaniaUS-MR

United States to Mauritania visa requirements

Q: Where do I apply for the Mauritania e-Visa?

Through the official ANRPTS portal at anrpts.gov.mr. Avoid third-party sites that add markups.

Q: How much does the e-Visa cost and how do I pay?

About EUR 55 / USD 60 for a 30-day visa. The fee is not charged online; you pay in exact USD or EUR cash on arrival, and no change is given.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

Yes. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Mauritania.

Q: How long can I stay on a tourist e-Visa?

The standard short-stay e-Visa allows up to 30 days. Longer 60, 90, and 360-day options are available.

Q: What passport validity do I need?

At least six months of validity beyond your stay, plus one blank page. Travelers with less may be denied entry.

US passport holders need a Mauritania e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Visa-on-arrival ended on 5 January 2025. As of 2026, US ordinary passport holders cannot enter Mauritania visa-free or get a visa on arrival. Mauritania launched a mandatory electronic visa (e-Visa) system on 5 January 2025 through the National Agency for the Population Register and Secure Titles (ANRPTS) portal at anrpts.gov.mr. All visa-required nationals, including Americans, must complete the online application and receive an approval document with a QR code BEFORE boarding their flight. Notably, the visa fee is not charged online; instead it is paid in exact cash (USD or EUR) on arrival at the border or airport. The State Department confirms travelers must complete the electronic form before boarding, present the confirmation page at check-in, and pay for the visa upon arrival in USD or Euro. Standard short-stay e-Visas are valid for 30 days; longer 60/90/360-day options exist. A passport with at least six months of validity, one blank page, proof of sufficient funds, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate are required. Old land-border and airport visa-on-arrival counters are closed, and Mauritanian embassies stopped issuing sticker visas as of mid-2025, directing applicants to the online system.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Electronic visa (e-Visa) - tourism / short visit

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days (standard short-stay; 60/90/360-day options available)

per entry

Entries

Single entry (standard tourist e-Visa)

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. EUR 55 / USD 60 for the 30-day e-Visa, paid in cash on arrival

consular fee only

Processing time

Typically a few business days; apply well before departure

standard track

Validity

Enter within the validity window shown on the approval; 30-day stay from entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm eligibility and documents

Verify your US passport has at least six months validity beyond your stay and one blank page. Ensure you have a yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is required for entry.

· 6 months passport validity· Yellow fever certificate

/02

Open the official ANRPTS e-Visa portal

Go to the official Mauritanian e-Visa site at anrpts.gov.mr and start a new visa request, selecting Tourisme (tourism) as the travel reason.

· anrpts.gov.mr· Official portal only

/03

Complete the online application

Enter your passport details, personal information, and travel dates. Select the 30-day validity option for a short tourist visit.

· 30-day option

/04

Upload supporting files

Upload a scanned copy of your passport bio page, a recent color passport photo (480x640 px, taken within 6 months), and any required supporting document such as a hotel booking or invitation.

· Passport scan· Digital photo

/05

Submit and wait for approval

Submit the application and wait for the approval document. Once approved, download and print the confirmation page bearing the QR code.

· Print QR code

/06

Pay the fee in cash on arrival

Present your printed e-Visa confirmation at airline check-in and again to border officers on arrival, then pay the visa fee in exact USD or EUR cash. No change is given.

· Cash only· USD or EUR

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

United States -> Mauritania · Electronic visa (e-Visa) - tourism / short visit

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredUS passport valid 6+ months beyond stay with one blank page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredApproved e-Visa confirmation printed with QR code

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredExact cash for the visa fee in USD or EUR (no change given)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredRecent color passport photo (480x640 px, within 6 months)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredScanned passport bio page for upload

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedReturn or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedHotel booking or invitation letter

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

Official sourcesUS State Department - Mauritania International Travel Information ANRPTS Official Mauritania e-Visa Portal Embassy of Mauritania to the US - Visas

Application link included: ANRPTS Official Mauritania e-Visa Portal

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

e-Visa fee (30-day)EUR 55 / USD 60Paid in exact cash on arrival, not online

Longer-stay e-Visa (60/90 day)Higher tiered feeVaries by duration; confirm on portal

Yellow fever vaccinationVaries by clinicRequired; obtain in advance in the US

Total estimateUSD 60 — USD 120incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard online e-Visa

A few business days

Apply via the official ANRPTS portal before booking travel; receive approval with QR code by email.

Apply early buffer

1-2 weeks ahead

Submit well in advance of departure to absorb any review delays, since you must have approval before boarding.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

US is not on Mauritania's visa-exempt list

American passport holders have always required a visa for Mauritania; there is no visa-waiver agreement.

High

/02

Mandatory e-Visa since January 2025

From 5 January 2025 all visa-required nationals must obtain an e-Visa online before boarding.

High

/03

Visa-on-arrival discontinued

Airport and land-border visa-on-arrival counters are closed; arriving without an approved e-Visa risks boarding denial.

Medium

/04

Embassies no longer issue sticker visas

Since mid-2025 Mauritanian embassies direct applicants to the online e-Visa system.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30 · major

United States of America to Mauritania route verified

Confirmed mandatory e-Visa via ANRPTS portal since 5 Jan 2025, visa-on-arrival ended, fee paid in cash on arrival, against State Department and official sources.

/09 — The questions