Mauritania entry requirements for Hong Kong passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 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
Hong Kong passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. This has been the case for several years and remains in effect in 2026. You'll handle the paperwork at the airport in Nouakchott — no need to apply before you travel.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Get your visa on arrival at Nouakchott International Airport. Have 55 USD or 20,000 MRU in cash for the single-entry tourist visa (30 days). The visa counter is before passport control — fill out the form, pay, and they stamp you in. No online pre-application needed.Check eVisa portal | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your Hong Kong 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 Required for entry | Immigration officers at Nouakchott ask for a confirmed onward ticket. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone. If you are flying out overland, a bus or ferry booking may not be accepted — a flight out is safest. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Have a hotel booking or a letter of invitation from your host. Immigration rarely asks, but if they do, a printed reservation or a screenshot of your booking confirmation works. No specific number of nights required. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Carry at least 200 USD in cash or have a credit card statement showing available funds. Immigration does not routinely check, but you may need to show you can cover your stay if questioned. ATMs are scarce outside Nouakchott. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa fee must be paid in cash — US dollars or euros. No credit cards, no local currency. Bring crisp, clean bills. ATMs at the airport are unreliable.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
The process at Nouakchott Airport is well-established for Hong Kong passport holders. Just have your documents ready and expect a short wait. It's not complicated.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Nouakchott International Airport
After you get off the plane, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There's a dedicated counter before the main passport control.
2
Fill out the visa application form
You'll be given a short form — name, passport number, flight details, hotel address. Fill it out in capital letters. Staff can help if needed.
3
Pay the visa fee
The fee is typically around 55–60 USD (or equivalent in euros). Cash only — bring crisp, clean US dollars or euros. No credit cards accepted.
4
Receive your visa and proceed to passport control
The officer will stamp the visa into your passport. Then you join the main passport control queue. Show your passport, visa, and onward ticket if asked.
5
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, head to baggage claim, then customs. The whole process usually takes 30–60 minutes.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Hong Kong Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 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)
Obtainable on arrival or in advance from Mauritanian embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit
Validity6 months
Cost€110 (approx. $120 USD)
Requires application at embassy; not available on arrival.
work visa
Travail (Work Permit)
1 year, renewable
Varies (employer-sponsored)
For foreign workers with a Mauritanian employer. Requires work contract and approval from Ministry of Labour.
student visa
Étudiant (Student Visa)
1 year, renewable
Varies (approx. €50–100)
For enrolled students at a Mauritanian institution. Requires proof of admission and sufficient funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry)Payable in euros or USD upon arrival at Nouakchott or Nouadhibou airports. | €55 (approx. $60 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are enforced; avoid overstaying your visa. | Unknown (estimated €10–20/day) |
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
Hong Kong passport holders transiting through Mauritania do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.
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.
DengueModerate risk
Occasional outbreaks, especially during rainy season.
Food/waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to poor sanitation; avoid tap water and street food.
Malaria risk: high
Prophylaxis recommended for all travellers; risk highest in southern and rural areas.
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
For visa extensions or overstay regularization; bring passport, photos, and fee.
Nouadhibou
Commissariat de Police (Immigration Section)
Near Port de Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00
Handles visa extensions for travellers in the north.
Practical information for HK 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 = 39.94 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 is available at Nouakchott International Airport (NKC). It may also be available at Nouadhibou Airport and some land borders, but the process is most reliable at the main airport. If you're arriving by land, check with the Mauritanian embassy beforehand.
The fee is about 55–60 USD (or equivalent in euros). Bring exact change in crisp, clean US dollars or euros. Credit cards are not accepted.
The visa on arrival is typically valid for 30 days. Extensions are possible but not guaranteed — you'd need to visit the immigration office in Nouakchott before your visa expires.
If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever, you'll need a vaccination certificate. Hong Kong is not a yellow fever zone, so this usually doesn't apply. But if you've recently traveled to an affected country, bring your yellow card.
You will be denied entry. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before traveling.
Extensions are possible but not automatic. You need to go to the immigration office in Nouakchott before your visa expires. Bring your passport, a passport photo, and the extension fee (around 20–30 USD). The process can take a few days.
Mauritania is generally safe for travelers, but petty crime exists in cities. Avoid remote areas near the borders with Mali and Algeria. Register with your embassy on arrival. Travel insurance with evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.