Mauritania entry requirements for Indonesia 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

Indonesian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. This is the standard entry method for tourism and short business visits. As of 2026, the process is straightforward — just show up at the airport with the right documents and pay the fee.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
eVisa application
Apply online before travel
Apply for a Mauritania eVisa at the official MAAVE portal. The process takes about 15 minutes — upload your passport scan and a photo. Approval usually comes within 72 hours, but apply at least 5 days before your flight to be safe.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your Indonesian passport needs at least 6 months of remaining validity from your date of entry into Mauritania. Airlines at Jakarta and transit hubs will check this before letting you board.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Mauritania
Immigration officers at Nouakchott Airport routinely ask for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot ready — they may not accept a phone screen.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Mauritania. Immigration may ask for it if you look like you're staying with friends or family.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Have a bank statement or a credit card showing at least $500 USD available. Officers rarely ask, but if they do, you need to show you're not planning to work illegally.Recommended
Cash only for visa fee
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in cash — EUR or USD preferred. ATMs at the airport are unreliable. Bring enough small bills to cover the fee and any unexpected costs.
Visa on arrival is not extendable
If you need to stay longer than your visa allows, you must leave and re-enter. Plan your trip accordingly. Overstaying can lead to fines or entry bans.

What happens at the border

1
Land at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport
Most international flights arrive here. After deplaning, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There's a dedicated counter before passport control.
2
Fill out the visa application form
You'll be given a short form at the counter. Fill in your personal details, passport info, and accommodation address. Keep it simple — no need for a detailed itinerary.
3
Pay the visa fee in cash
Hand over the form and your passport to the officer. Pay the fee in EUR or USD — they rarely accept local currency (MRU). Get a receipt.
4
Receive your visa sticker and proceed to passport control
The officer will stamp or stick the visa into your passport. Then go to the main passport control queue. Show your passport, visa, and return ticket if asked.
5
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, pick up your bags from the carousel. There's a customs check (usually quick) — then you're free to leave the airport.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Indonesia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

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

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 EUR (~$88 USD)

Apply at Mauritanian embassy abroad; requires invitation letter.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost€150 EUR (~$165 USD)

For frequent travellers; same requirements as single entry.

Business visa
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months
Cost€100 EUR (~$110 USD)

Requires company invitation letter and proof of business.

work visa
Travail et Séjour (Work and Residence Permit)
1 year, renewable
~€200 EUR (~$220 USD) application fee
For foreign workers with a Mauritanian employer. Requires work contract, medical check, and approval from Ministry of Labor.
student visa
Visa Étudiant (Student Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
~€100 EUR (~$110 USD)
For enrolled students at a Mauritanian institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Visa Investisseur (Investor Visa)
2 years, renewable
~€500 EUR (~$550 USD)
For investors with a minimum investment of ~$50,000 USD in a Mauritanian business. Requires business plan and proof of funds.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in EUR or USD at entry; valid for up to 30 days.55 EUR (approx. $60 USD)
Stay extension feeApply at immigration office before current visa expires.30 EUR (approx. $33 USD) per 30 days
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of 300 EUR (approx. $330 USD).10 EUR (approx. $11 USD) per day

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

Indonesia passport holders transiting through Mauritania airports (e.g., Nouakchott) do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa on arrival is required.
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 (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialRabiesRecommendedMeningococcal meningitisRecommended
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Widespread in all regions; prophylaxis recommended.

Dengue feverModerate risk

Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.

Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk

Common due to poor sanitation; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria is present throughout Mauritania, especially in the southern regions. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline) is strongly recommended.

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 overstay fines. Bring passport, visa, and cash.

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

Handles extensions for travellers arriving via land border or port.

Practical information for ID 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
updated May 29
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

The fee is typically around €55–€100 depending on the length of stay and current rates. Pay in EUR or USD cash — they rarely accept Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU). Bring small bills to avoid change issues.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must leave the country and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before travel. Overstaying can result in fines.
Visa on arrival is available at most official land border crossings, but the process may be slower and less consistent. The main land crossings are with Senegal, Mali, and Western Sahara. Carry extra cash and patience.
Yes, if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (including transit). You'll need to show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Check the latest requirements before travel.
No, only cash is accepted. Bring EUR or USD — small denominations. ATMs are available at the airport but may not be reliable. Don't rely on cards for the visa fee.
Usually 15–30 minutes if you have all documents ready. During peak arrival times (evening flights), it can take up to an hour. The queue moves steadily — just be patient.
Your passport (valid 6+ months), a completed visa application form (provided at the counter), your return/onward ticket (printed or screenshot), and cash for the fee. A hotel booking confirmation helps but isn't always required.

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.