Mauritania entry requirements for Philippines passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 21, 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
Filipino 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 at Nouakchott International Airport.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must cover your full stay | At least 6 months validity beyond your entry date. Minimum 1 blank page for the entry stamp. Airlines may deny boarding if validity is too close. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Officers check this regularly | A confirmed flight out of the country. Immigration may ask to see this — have a screenshot ready on your phone. An onward ticket from a neighbouring country also works. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel name or address | A hotel booking confirmation, or the address of where you are staying. The arrival form often asks for this. A Booking.com or Airbnb confirmation email is fine. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Rarely checked | Immigration officers may ask you to demonstrate sufficient funds for your stay. A credit card or bank statement usually suffices. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa fee
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in cash (EUR or USD). No credit cards, no ATMs at the airport counter. Bring small denominations to avoid change issues.
Visa on arrival is the standard entry
You do not need to apply for a visa before travel. Just show up at Nouakchott International Airport with your documents and cash. This applies to tourism and short business visits.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Nouakchott International Airport
After landing, follow signs to the visa on arrival counter before passport control. This is a dedicated desk — not the main immigration queue.
2
Submit documents and pay fee
Hand over your passport, return ticket (printed or on phone), and accommodation booking. Pay the visa fee in cash (EUR or USD). The officer will process your visa on the spot.
3
Receive visa and proceed to immigration
Once the visa sticker is in your passport, go to the main immigration queue. The officer will stamp you in. Keep your boarding pass handy — they may ask for it.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Philippines Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 21, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€55 (approx. $60 USD)
Apply at Mauritanian embassy abroad; may allow longer stay than visa on arrival.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue
Cost€110 (approx. $120 USD)
For frequent travellers; must apply at embassy.
Long-stay visa
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity1 year from issue
Cost€200 (approx. $218 USD)
Requires invitation letter and proof of purpose; apply at embassy.
work visa
Travail et Séjour (Work and Stay Visa)
1 year, renewable
~€200 (approx. $218 USD) plus employer fees
For foreign workers with a Mauritanian employer. Requires work contract, approval from Ministry of Labour, and health certificate. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Visa Étudiant (Student Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
~€100 (approx. $109 USD)
For enrolled students at a Mauritanian institution. Requires acceptance letter, proof of funds, and health insurance. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
Visa Investisseur (Investor Visa)
2 years, renewable
~€500 (approx. $545 USD) plus investment proof
For investors with a minimum investment of $50,000 in a Mauritanian business. Requires business plan and approval from the Ministry of Investment.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival entry feePayable in euros or US dollars cash upon arrival at Nouakchott Airport. | €55 (approx. $60 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayNo known maximum cap; avoid overstaying. | €10 (approx. $11 USD) per day |
| Stay extension (if applicable)Extensions are not standard for visa-on-arrival; check with immigration office. | Unknown |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
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
Philippines passport holders transiting through Mauritania (e.g., Nouakchott Airport) do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if you need to enter the country or change airports, a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid visa for Mauritania may transit without additional visa.
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 risk of yellow fever transmission; certificate must be presented.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialRabiesRecommendedMeningococcal meningitisRecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedCholeraConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in the southern regions; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occasional outbreaks, especially during rainy season; use mosquito repellent.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to poor sanitation; drink bottled or boiled water and eat well-cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
High risk nationwide, especially in southern regions (e.g., Guidimaka, Hodh El Gharbi). Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline) 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 residency issues; bring passport, photos, and fee in cash.
Nouadhibou
Commissariat de Police (Immigration Section)
Boulevard des Pêcheurs, Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00
Handles visa extensions for travellers in the north; limited English spoken.
Practical information for PH 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 = 40.03 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 fee is typically between €55 and €100, payable in cash (EUR or USD). Exact amount can vary — bring small bills. No credit cards accepted.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a different visa type before travel or leave and re-enter.
The maximum stay is not fixed in the database, but typically it's 30 days. Confirm with immigration at the airport when you receive your visa.
Visa on arrival is available at Nouakchott International Airport. At land borders, you may need to arrange a visa in advance. Check with the nearest Mauritanian embassy before traveling overland.
Mauritania requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Check your itinerary — if you're transiting through an affected country, you'll need the shot.
A damaged chip may cause issues at immigration. If your passport chip is unreadable, get a replacement before traveling. The visa on arrival process relies on a valid passport.
You may be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Always have a confirmed onward or return ticket before you fly.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 21, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.