Mauritania entry requirements for Uganda 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

Ugandan passport holders must obtain an e-visa before traveling to Mauritania. There is no visa-on-arrival option, so you need to apply online in advance. The process is straightforward, but ensure your passport remains valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.

Apply for Mauritania eVisaOfficial portal: Mauritania eVisa Portal

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
E-visa for MauritaniaYou must obtain this visa online before you travel; it cannot be extended once in Mauritania.
Apply online before travel
A valid e-visa is required for Ugandan passport holders. Apply at the official Mauritanian e-visa portal (https://www.evisa.mr/) before departure. The e-visa is not extendable.Required
Passport validityMake sure your passport does not expire within six months of your arrival date.
At least 6 months beyond your intended stay
Your Ugandan passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Mauritania.Required
Blank passport pagesYou need a clean page in your passport for the immigration officer to stamp.
At least 1 blank page
Your passport must have at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps.Required
Return or onward ticketImmigration may ask to see your travel itinerary to confirm you plan to leave.
Proof of departure
You may be asked to show a return or onward ticket proving you will leave Mauritania before your visa or permitted stay expires.Required
Proof of fundsIt's wise to have proof that you can pay for your expenses while in Mauritania.
Sufficient means of support
Carry evidence of sufficient funds (cash, bank statement, or credit card) to cover your stay in Mauritania. The exact amount is not fixed but should match your planned duration.Recommended
Arrival declarationYou do not need to fill out any arrival form before landing.
Not required
No arrival declaration is required for Mauritania.Not required
No visa-on-arrival — apply in advance
Ugandan passport holders cannot get a visa at the airport. You must have an approved e-visa before boarding your flight. Without it, you'll be refused entry and sent back.
Yellow fever certificate
If you're coming from Uganda (a yellow fever risk country), you'll need to show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration. Carry it with your passport.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for the e-visa online
Go to https://www.evisa.mr/ and fill out the application form. Upload your passport photo and provide your travel details. 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 and download the e-visa PDF. Print a copy — it's safer than relying on your phone.
3
Arrive at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport
When you land, head to immigration. Have your passport and printed e-visa ready. The officer will scan your passport and stamp it. Keep the stamp — you'll need it when you leave.
4
Exit Mauritania
At departure, present your passport with the entry stamp. If you overstay, you'll pay a fine at the airport before leaving.
Download Mauritania Entry Checklist
PDF · Uganda 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 (single entry)
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$70 (approx.)

Requires invitation letter from Mauritanian company; apply online.

Business visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit
Validity6 months from issue
Cost$120 (approx.)

Requires invitation letter and proof of business activity.

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

Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Mauritanian authorities.

Other fees
ServiceCost
e-Visa (single entry, 30 days)Apply online before travel; fee paid in USD via card.$50 (approx.)
e-Visa (multiple entry, 90 days)For longer stays or multiple entries.$80 (approx.)
Visa extension (per 30 days)Apply at the Immigration Department in Nouakchott; subject to approval.$30 (approx.)

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

Transit visa required

Ugandan passport holders transiting through Mauritania require a visa, even if staying airside. The e-Visa must be obtained before travel.

Exceptions & conditions
  • Diplomatic or official passport holders may be exempt; verify with the nearest Mauritanian embassy.
Transit hubsNouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC)

Health & vaccines for Mauritania

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk; Uganda is endemic, so certificate is mandatory.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Present throughout the country, especially in 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 water and eat thoroughly cooked food.

Malaria risk: high

High risk in all regions, especially southern Mauritania. CDC recommends prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline).

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 permits. Bring passport, photos, and fee in 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 in the north. Limited English; bring a translator if needed.

Practical information for UG 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

Yes, you need an e-visa. There is no visa-on-arrival for Ugandan passport holders. Apply online at https://www.evisa.mr/ before you travel.
Processing usually takes a few 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. Check the official e-visa portal for the current amount — it's typically around $50–$100, but always confirm on the site.
No, the e-visa is not extendable. You must leave before it expires. If you overstay, you'll face fines at the airport.
You'll be denied entry and likely put on the next flight back. Don't risk it — get the e-visa before you fly.
Typically, the e-visa is for a single entry. If you plan to leave and re-enter, you'll need to apply for a new one.
Mauritania requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Uganda is on that list, so carry your certificate.

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.