Mauritania entry requirements for United Arab Emirates 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

UAE passport holders need an e-visa to enter Mauritania. You can apply online before you travel, and the process is straightforward — just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and you have a blank page for the entry stamp.

Apply for Mauritania eVisaOfficial portal: Mauritania eVisa Portal

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
E-visa for MauritaniaWithout an approved e-visa, you will be denied boarding and entry.
Apply online before travel
You must obtain an e-visa before arrival. Apply at the official Mauritanian e-visa portal (https://www.evisa.mr/) at least several days before your trip. The e-visa is not extendable.Required
Passport validityCheck your passport's expiry date — if it's less than 6 months away, renew it before traveling.
Valid for 6 months beyond your stay
Your UAE passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into Mauritania.Required
Blank passport pagesA blank page is a page without any stamps or visas — needed for the immigration officer to stamp.
At least 1 blank page
Your passport must have at least 1 blank page for entry and exit stamps.Required
Return or onward ticketHave your flight itinerary handy — it's common to be asked at check-in or border control.
Proof of departure
Immigration may ask to see a confirmed return or onward flight ticket showing you will leave Mauritania before your e-visa expires.Required
Proof of fundsNot always checked, but carrying a bank statement or credit card can help if asked.
Sufficient for your stay
You may be asked to show evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., cash, credit card, or bank statement) to cover your expenses during your time in Mauritania.Recommended
Arrival declarationYou don't need to fill out any arrival form before landing.
Not required
No arrival declaration (e.g., health or customs form) is required for UAE passport holders entering Mauritania.Not required
Vaccination certificateCheck if your previous stopover requires this certificate — carry it if you have it.
Yellow fever (if applicable)
If you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, you may be required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate. This is not specific to UAE passport holders but depends on your travel itinerary.Recommended
Apply early — don't risk it
The e-visa processing time can stretch, especially during peak travel seasons. Submit your application at least two weeks before your planned departure to avoid last-minute stress.
No visa on arrival
There is no visa-on-arrival for UAE passport holders. If you arrive without an approved e-visa, you'll be sent back on the next flight.

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 a digital copy of your passport bio page and a recent passport-style photo. Pay the fee online with a credit/debit card.
2
Wait for approval
Processing typically takes a few business days. Check your email for the approval — it's usually sent as a PDF. Print a copy to carry with you.
3
Arrive at the airport in Mauritania
At Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (the main entry point), go to the immigration desk. Present your passport, the printed e-visa, and any supporting documents if asked. The officer will stamp your passport and you're in.
4
Keep your e-visa with you
Carry a copy of your e-visa while in Mauritania — you may need it for hotel check-ins or if stopped by police.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · United Arab Emirates Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 6, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Business visa
Max stay90 days
Validity6 months from issue
Cost$150

Requires invitation letter from Mauritanian company

Long-stay visa (work/residence)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost$200

Requires work permit and employer sponsorship

Other fees
ServiceCost
E-visa (single entry, 30 days)Standard tourist e-visa fee$50
E-visa (multiple entry, 90 days)For frequent travellers$100
Visa on arrival (if eligible)Only at Nouakchott International Airport$55
Extension of stay (up to 30 days)Apply at police headquarters in Nouakchott$30

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

UAE passport holders transiting through Mauritania do not need a visa if staying airside and departing within 24 hours.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa is required.
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 AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)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 poor sanitation; drink bottled water and eat 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 Sûreté Nationale (Immigration)
Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, Nouakchott
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00

Main immigration office for visa extensions and permits.

Nouadhibou
Commissariat de Police (Immigration Section)
Boulevard de la Résistance, Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00

Regional office for visa-related issues in the north.

Practical information for AE 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
updated Jul 3
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
Police117
Medical118
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

Processing usually takes 2–5 business days, but it can vary. Apply at least a week before your departure to be safe.
The fee is set by the Mauritanian government and is payable online during the application. Check the official e-visa portal for the current amount.
No, UAE passport holders must have an e-visa before arriving. There's no visa-on-arrival option for this nationality.
No, the e-visa is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you'll have to leave the country and reapply.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the border. Renew your passport before applying for the e-visa.
Mauritania requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Check with your doctor or a travel clinic before you go.
The Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU). You can exchange money at banks or official exchange offices in Nouakchott. Credit cards are accepted in some hotels, but cash is king elsewhere.

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.