Published: 15 March 2025 | Last updated: 10 September 2026
This article is part of our visa comparison series, reviewed by travel editors with over 10 years of experience in African visa regulations.
A Mauritania tourist e-visa covers sightseeing and family visits, while a business e-visa permits conferences and commercial meetings. Since 5 January 2025, UK citizens must apply online via the ANRPTS Houweyyati portal, as the visa on arrival at Nouakchott International Airport is no longer available. This guide compares single vs multiple entry, standard vs express processing, and tourist vs business categories to help you select the correct Mauritania e-visa.
Mauritania e-Visa: Tourist vs Business Core Differences
The Mauritania e-visa system presents two purpose-based categories that govern permitted activities, required documents, and validity periods. Choose tourist for sightseeing and family visits; choose business for conferences and contracts. Both Mauritania e-visa categories offer 30, 90, or 360-day validity.
| Attribute | Tourist e-Visa | Business e-Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted activities | Sightseeing, cultural travel, visiting family and friends | Conferences, trade fairs, commercial meetings, contract negotiations |
| Prohibited activities | Paid work, commercial activities, business negotiations | Paid employment, long-term assignments (work permit required) |
| Key required documents | Passport (6 months validity), photo, itinerary, accommodation, return flight | All tourist documents plus invitation letter from a registered Mauritanian company or chamber of commerce |
| Validity options | 30, 90, or 360 days | 30, 90, or 360 days |
Decision helper: Choose a tourist Mauritania e-visa if your primary purpose is sightseeing, cultural travel, or visiting family. Choose a business Mauritania e-visa if you are attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or exploring commercial partnerships.
Single vs Multiple Entry and Standard vs Express Processing
A single-entry Mauritania e-visa permits one border crossing, while a multiple-entry option is essential for side trips to Senegal or Mali. Standard processing takes 5-10 business days; express reduces this to 2-3 business days. Apply at least 3 weeks before departure to absorb potential delays.
| Feature | Single Entry | Multiple Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Border crossings | One only | Unlimited within validity |
| Day trip to Senegal from Nouakchott | Not permitted (no re-entry) | Required |
| Best for | Single-destination trip | Multi-country itinerary |
| Processing tier | Standard | Express |
| Timeline | 5-10 business days | 2-3 business days |
| Cost | Government fee (see ANRPTS) | Higher fee + surcharge |
Government fees are published in EUR/USD on the ANRPTS Houweyyati portal at time of application; convert to GBP using the current exchange rate. Third-party agencies charge separate service fees on top. A multiple-entry Mauritania e-visa with express processing suits travellers crossing borders more than once on a tight schedule.
| Visa Type | Entry Type | Processing | Government Fee (EUR/USD) | GBP Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | Single | Standard | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
| Tourist | Single | Express | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
| Tourist | Multiple | Standard | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
| Tourist | Multiple | Express | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
| Business | Single | Standard | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
| Business | Single | Express | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
| Business | Multiple | Standard | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
| Business | Multiple | Express | Published on ANRPTS portal | Convert at current rate |
For UK applicants seeking assistance, CIBTvisas (phone: 0844 8004650, customer support 09:00-17:00, office 08:00-17:00) offers a Visa Pre-Check document review service and is not affiliated with any government body. VisaHQ (phone: +442045773307, operating since 2003, covering 198 countries) reports a 99.6% first-time acceptance rate and a 4.40/5 customer review score across 4,207 verified reviews. Both agencies charge service fees separate from government fees.
How to Apply via ANRPTS and Practical Border Tips
Apply for your Mauritania e-visa on the Arabic-only ANRPTS portal, then carry printed confirmation and EUR/USD cash for border control.
The ANRPTS portal hosts the Houweyyati (بوابة هويتي) system, whose interface is Arabic-only. Enable browser auto-translate in Chrome or Firefox before starting.
Visit the ANRPTS portal
Go to https://anrpts.gov.mr/
Create an account on the Houweyyati platform
Register to begin your application.
Select your visa category
Choose tourist or business.
Choose entry type
Single or multiple entry.
Complete the application form
Fill in all required fields.
Upload all required supporting documents
Attach passport, photo, itinerary, and other required documents.
Pay the visa fee online
Complete payment on the portal.
Receive your electronic travel authorisation by email
Print the confirmation as backup.
The Mauritania e-visa is an electronic authorisation, no physical stamp. Print the confirmation as backup.
Carry EUR or USD cash as a backup. Card acceptance at Nouakchott International Airport (NKC) is unreliable, with no guaranteed airside ATM.
UK travellers arriving directly from the UK are generally not required to show a yellow fever certificate. Those transiting endemic countries such as Senegal may need an International Certificate of Vaccination. Check the latest WHO requirements before travel. For UK government travel advice, see the FCDO travel advice for Mauritania.
Which Visa Do I Need? Decision Framework for UK Travellers
Four questions decide your Mauritania e-visa: (1) Purpose? (2) Paid work? (3) Entries? (4) Stay length? This narrows 8 possible combinations to one clear recommendation.
What is your primary purpose?
Tourism (sightseeing, cultural travel, family visits) or Business (conferences, trade negotiations, commercial meetings)
Will you generate income or conduct paid work?
If yes, a work permit from the Mauritanian Ministry of Interior is required. If no, proceed to question 3
How many times will you cross the border?
Single entry (one crossing) or Multiple entry (re-entry after visiting Senegal, Mali, or Western Sahara)
How long will you stay?
Select from 30, 90, or 360 days validity, available for both tourist and business categories
Worked example: Sarah attends a mining conference in Nouakchott for 3 days, then flies domestically to Nouadhibou before returning. She needs a multiple-entry business Mauritania e-visa with 30-day validity.
Warning: A business e-visa does not permit local employment, paid consultancy, or long-term assignments. Those activities require a separate work or residence permit through the Ministry of Interior.
FAQ: Mauritania e visa tourist vs business
Do British citizens need a visa for Mauritania in 2026?
Yes, British citizens need a Mauritania e-visa in 2026. Since 5 January 2025, the visa on arrival has been eliminated and UK travellers must apply online via the ANRPTS Houweyyati portal before their trip.
What is the difference between a tourist and business e-visa for Mauritania?
A Mauritania tourist e-visa covers sightseeing, cultural travel, and visiting family. A business e-visa permits conferences, trade fairs, and commercial meetings, and requires an invitation letter from a registered Mauritanian company. Both offer 30, 90, or 360-day validity.
Can I use a tourist visa for business meetings in Mauritania?
No. The tourist e-visa strictly prohibits commercial work, paid employment, and business negotiations. You must apply for a business Mauritania e-visa with the required invitation letter.
How much does the Mauritania e-visa cost for UK citizens?
Government fees are published in EUR or USD on the ANRPTS portal at time of application. See the ANRPTS website at https://anrpts.gov.mr/ for current fees and convert to GBP at the prevailing rate.
How long does it take to get a Mauritania e-visa?
Standard processing takes 5 to 10 business days; express processing reduces this to 2 to 3 business days. Apply at least 3 weeks before departure.
Can I enter Mauritania multiple times with one e-visa?
Yes, the Mauritania e-visa offers both single-entry and multiple-entry options. A multiple-entry e-visa is essential if you plan to leave Mauritania and re-enter, for example on a side trip to Senegal or Mali.
What documents do I need for a Mauritania business e-visa?
You need a passport with at least 6 months validity, a digital photograph, travel itinerary, accommodation confirmation, return flight booking, and an invitation letter from a registered Mauritanian company or chamber of commerce.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate to enter Mauritania from the UK?
UK travellers arriving directly from the UK are generally not required to show a yellow fever certificate. If transiting through a country with yellow fever risk, such as Senegal, you may need an International Certificate of Vaccination.
What payment methods are accepted at Mauritania border control?
Card acceptance at Mauritania border posts, including Nouakchott International Airport, is unreliable. Carry EUR or USD cash as a backup.
Where do I apply for the Mauritania e-visa online?
Apply via the ANRPTS Houweyyati portal at https://anrpts.gov.mr/. The interface is Arabic-only, so use browser auto-translate in Chrome or Firefox.
