Mauritania entry requirements for Serbia passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 31, 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

Serbian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Mauritania. This has been the standard procedure for years and remains so in 2026. Show up at the airport with your documents and pay the fee.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
eVisa application
Mauritania eVisa
Apply for a Mauritania eVisa at the official MAAVE portal before travel. The eVisa is valid for tourism and business visits. Processing takes 3–5 business days, and you must print the approval letter to present at immigration.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your Serbian passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Mauritania. Airlines check this before boarding — if your passport expires sooner, you may be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Mauritania
Immigration officers at Nouakchott Airport routinely ask for a confirmed return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone. Without one, you may be refused entry.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Have a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host ready. Immigration may ask for it, especially if you arrive without a pre-arranged tour or business contact.Recommended
Proof of funds
Sufficient cash or card for your stay
Carry enough cash (e.g., €200–€300) or a credit card to cover your stay. ATMs are scarce outside Nouakchott, and immigration may ask how you plan to support yourself.Recommended
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa counter at Nouakchott Airport does not accept credit or debit cards. Bring €55–€60 in cash (euros or USD). There is no ATM before immigration.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
The process at Nouakchott Airport usually takes 15–30 minutes. Have your documents ready and be patient. It's a routine procedure for Serbian passport holders.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at Nouakchott International Airport
After landing, 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. Fill in your personal details, passport number, and purpose of visit. Keep it simple.
3
Submit documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, form, photos (if asked), and the cash fee. The officer will process your visa.
4
Receive your visa and proceed to passport control
Once the visa is stamped, go to the passport control queue. Show your passport with the new visa and your boarding pass. You're in.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Serbia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Download PDF

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)

Apply at Mauritanian embassy in Belgrade or Paris. Requires invitation letter.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost€110 (approx. $120 USD)

For frequent travellers; same application process as single entry.

Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (EUR or USD) at Nouakchott or Nouadhibou airport.€55 (approx. $60 USD)
Overstay fine per dayPay at immigration office before departure.€10 (approx. $11 USD) per day, max €200 (approx. $220 USD)

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

Serbia passport holders transiting through Mauritania airports do not need a transit 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, 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 limited sanitation; avoid tap water and street food.

Malaria risk: high

High risk in all areas; prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline) strongly recommended. Use mosquito repellent and bed nets.

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 and overstay fines. Bring passport, photos, and fee in cash.

Nouadhibou
Commissariat de Police (Immigration Section)
Boulevard de l'Indépendance, Nouadhibou
Mon–Thu 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–13:00

Limited services; extensions may require referral to Nouakchott.

Practical information for RS 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 = 40.08 MRU
updated Jun 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

The standard fee is around €55–€60 for a single-entry visa. Pay in cash — euros or US dollars are preferred. No card payments accepted.
Yes, you can apply for an extension at the immigration office in Nouakchott. Extensions are typically granted for up to 30 days. The cost is about €30–€40. Go early in the morning to avoid long waits.
You will likely be denied entry. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before traveling.
If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever, you'll need a vaccination certificate. For direct travel from Serbia, it's not required, but check your itinerary for any transit stops.
Mauritania is generally safe for tourists, but avoid border regions and remote areas. Petty crime can occur in cities. Register with your embassy and keep valuables secure.
Yes, visa on arrival is available at most land border crossings, but the process may be slower and less predictable. The airport is the most reliable option.
Euros or US dollars are best for the visa fee and initial expenses. You can exchange at banks or exchange offices in Nouakchott. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside major hotels.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.