To pay the Mauritania eVisa fee on arrival in 2026, bring exact cash in euros (€55) or US dollars ($60) for a 30-day visa. Immigration officers accept cash only, give no change, and issue no receipt. The visa sticker in your passport is your only proof of payment.
UK passport holders must pre-register online via the ANRPTS portal, but the actual fee collection happens exclusively at the border. There are no POS terminals or ATMs available before you reach the immigration desk. This guide was last reviewed on 10 September 2026; fees and payment rules were verified against the ANRPTS portal and current traveller reports from Nouakchott arrivals.
Whether you arrive at Nouakchott airport or a land border crossing like Guerguerat, the rules remain identical. You must carry crisp, post-2013 US dollar bills or clean euro notes, as officers routinely reject damaged currency. Preparing the precise amount before departing the UK prevents delays and overcharges.
Mauritania eVisa Basics & 2026 Fee Schedule
The 2026 Mauritania eVisa costs €55 ($60) for a 30-day visa and €110 ($120) for a 90-day visa, payable in exact cash at the border. UK passport holders require this eVisa, obtained via pre-registration on the ANRPTS portal, which collects no payment online. Processing takes 2-3 business days, and a printed eVisa approval must be presented on arrival. Payment is cash-only at the border; the online pre-registration is free.
| Visa Duration | EUR Fee | USD Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day | €55 | $60 |
| 90-day | €110 | $120 |
| 360-day | Check ANRPTS for current fee | |
Fees may change; always verify with ANRPTS or GOV.UK travel advice for Mauritania before travel. For a full breakdown of all visa costs, see our complete Mauritania eVisa fee guide. In 2026, the key practical change is stricter enforcement of post-2013 US dollar bills at Nouakchott airport. Multiple travellers reported rejected pre-2013 notes. In 2025 this rule was applied inconsistently; from 2026 it is routine.
Can You Pay the Mauritania eVisa Fee in Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)?
No. The Mauritania eVisa accepts only EUR and USD at immigration. Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) is not accepted for the eVisa fee under any circumstances.
How to Pay the Mauritania eVisa Fee on Arrival – Exact Cash in EUR or USD
Hand over exactly €55 or $60 at the border. If you offer $100, you will lose $40, as no change is given and no receipt is issued.
Proceed to immigration
Go to the desk at Nouakchott (NKC) airport with your printed eVisa approval and passport.
Hand over exact cash
Give the officer exactly €55 or $60 in cash for a 30-day visa.
Receive visa sticker
The officer affixes a visa sticker in your passport – your only proof of payment, as no receipt is issued.
Photograph the page
Photograph the passport page immediately to secure your own record for expense claims.
Are Credit or Debit Cards Accepted at Mauritania Immigration?
No. No POS terminals exist at NKC airport or land border booths. Cash in EUR or USD is the only accepted instrument for the Mauritania eVisa fee.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Exact Change?
Without exact change, you risk being overcharged, delayed, or in rare cases refused entry. Prepare the precise amount before departure and keep it separate from other travel funds. If you lack the exact amount, you may need to ask fellow travellers for assistance or exchange money at a bank in Nouakchott beforehand.
Banknote Quality & No-Receipt Policy at the Mauritania Border
No receipt is issued. The visa sticker in your passport is your only proof of payment. Photograph your passport page with the visa sticker immediately. For USD, only post-2013 series bills in crisp condition are accepted; pre-2013 notes are routinely rejected. Unlike Egypt or Jordan, where immigration issues receipts for visa fees, Mauritania does not.
- No receipt issued: Photograph your passport page with the visa sticker immediately after payment to secure proof for expense claims.
- Business traveller tip: Log the date, amount, and currency in a personal expense record. Example: Date: 12 Nov 2025 | Port: NKC | Visa type: 30-day | Paid: €55 cash | Receipt: none | Sticker number: 123456 | Officer desk: 4. Take a photo of the passport page and keep the file with your travel receipts.
- US dollar bills: Post-2013 series notes are accepted; pre-2013 bills are routinely rejected.
- Euro notes: All current series are accepted if crisp and in good condition.
- Torn or marked bills: Routinely rejected by immigration officers regardless of currency.
- EUR as safer alternative: Euro notes tend to face fewer rejection issues than USD at the Mauritania border.
Preparing Your Cash – Land Borders, Airports & UK Exchange Tips
Both NKC airport and Guerguerat crossing accept only EUR/USD, exact cash, no change, no receipt. ATMs are located after immigration. There is no way to obtain cash before paying the Mauritania eVisa fee.
| Feature | NKC Airport | Land Borders (PK55 / Guerguerat) |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted currencies | EUR or USD only | EUR or USD only |
| Exact cash required | Yes: €55 or $60 for 30-day visa | Yes: same amounts |
| ATM before immigration | None | None |
| Change given | No | No |
UK travellers must exchange GBP to EUR or USD before departure via high-street banks, the Post Office, Travelex, or online services like Wise and Revolut. Carry the exact amount in a money belt and split banknotes between bags to reduce loss risk. Check your travel insurance policy to confirm whether it covers potential cash loss during your trip.
Mauritania eVisa Payment Methods FAQ
Can I pay the Mauritania eVisa fee with a credit card?
No. Credit and debit cards are not accepted at immigration counters in Mauritania. There are no POS terminals at Nouakchott airport or land border crossings like Guerguerat. You must pay the eVisa fee exclusively in cash, using exact amounts of euros or US dollars.
How much is the Mauritania eVisa fee for UK citizens in 2026?
The Mauritania eVisa fee in 2026 is €55 or $60 for a 30-day visa, and €110 or $120 for a 90-day visa. UK passport holders must pay this amount in exact cash upon arrival. For the 360-day visa fee, check the ANRPTS portal for current amounts.
Where can I exchange British pounds to euros or dollars for my Mauritania trip?
UK travellers can exchange GBP to euros or US dollars before departure at high-street banks, the Post Office, Travelex, or online services like Wise and Revolut. Do not rely on exchanging money at Nouakchott airport, as ATMs and exchange desks are located after immigration, not before.
What happens if I don’t have exact cash at Mauritania immigration?
Without exact change, you risk being overcharged by officials, experiencing significant delays, or in rare cases, being refused entry. Mauritania immigration officers do not give change. If you lack the exact amount, you may need to ask fellow travellers for assistance or exchange money at a bank in Nouakchott beforehand.
Is there a way to pay the Mauritania eVisa fee online?
No. There is no option to pay the Mauritania eVisa fee online. While you must complete the pre-registration via the ANRPTS portal before travelling, the actual fee is collected exclusively in cash upon your arrival at the border or airport.
Do Mauritania border officers give change for the eVisa fee?
No. Mauritania border officers do not give change for the eVisa fee. You must bring the exact amount in banknotes. If you hand over a larger bill, you risk losing the difference or facing delays. Always prepare the precise fee before reaching the immigration checkpoint.
Will old or damaged US dollar bills be accepted for the Mauritania visa fee?
No. Immigration officers in Mauritania routinely reject torn, marked, or heavily worn bills. For US dollars, pre-2013 series notes are often refused. You should bring crisp, clean, post-2013 series banknotes. Euro notes in good condition are generally accepted with fewer issues than older US dollars.
Can I pay the Mauritania eVisa fee in Mauritanian ouguiya?
No. The Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU) is not accepted for the eVisa fee. Immigration officers only accept euros and US dollars. You must bring the exact fee amount in one of these two foreign currencies, as local currency will not be processed for visa payments on arrival.
Is it safe to carry exact cash for the Mauritania visa fee?
Yes, carrying exact cash is safe if you take standard travel precautions. Use a money belt, split the cash between your bags, and avoid displaying large amounts of money in public. Additionally, check your travel insurance policy to confirm whether it covers potential cash loss during your trip.
