Mauritania replaced its visa on arrival with a mandatory eVisa system on 5 January 2025. For UK travellers comparing Mauritania e visa vs visa on arrival options, the eVisa is now the only method. Apply online through the ANRPTS portal before departure. The eVisa costs 55 EUR (paid in exact cash on arrival), processes within 48 to 72 business hours, and offers 30, 60, or 90-day validity options.
Published: 10 September 2026. Last verified against the ANRPTS portal (anrpts.gov.mr) and GOV.UK travel advice for Mauritania: 10 September 2026. Visa policies can change. Check both sources within 72 hours of departure.
What Changed? Mauritania’s Switch from Visa on Arrival to eVisa
Mauritania replaced visa on arrival with a mandatory eVisa system on 5 January 2025, managed through the ANRPTS portal at anrpts.gov.mr. The electronic visa issuance system is operated by the National Agency of the Population Registry and Secure Documents (ANRPTS) under the Ministry of the Interior, Decentralization and Local Development.
Since 5 January 2025, it is no longer possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Mauritania. All travellers must secure an eVisa through the ANRPTS portal before boarding. (Source: GOV.UK travel advice for Mauritania.)
The ANRPTS portal (anrpts.gov.mr) handles all eVisa applications. The interface is Arabic-only with no built-in English version. Visa on arrival is abolished at every port of entry. Airlines deny boarding to passengers without a pre-approved eVisa. The system integrates with the broader Houweyyati (هويتي) digital identity platform.
Mauritania e Visa vs Visa on Arrival: Head-to-Head Comparison
The Mauritania eVisa eliminates airport queuing, whereas the visa on arrival required 30 to 90 minutes in-person wait on landing. The eVisa processes within 48 to 72 business hours online, costs 55 EUR (approximately 60 USD), and offers 30, 60, or 90-day validity options.
| Feature | eVisa (2026 System) | Visa on Arrival (Abolished Jan 2025) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application method | Online via ANRPTS portal | In person at airport counter | eVisa |
| Processing time | 48 to 72 business hours | 30 to 90 min queue on arrival | eVisa |
| Fee (standard 30-day) | 55 EUR | ~60 USD (cash at counter) | Comparable |
| Payment method | Exact cash (EUR or USD) on arrival | Cash only at counter | Same constraint |
| Validity options | 30 / 60 / 90 days | 30 / 90 days | eVisa |
| Documents at application | Digital photo + passport biodata scan | Passport only + paper arrival card | eVisa requires prep |
| Risk of denial | Low (pre-approved before travel) | Higher (officer discretion at border) | eVisa |
| Required before boarding | Yes, mandatory | No (was obtainable at airport) | eVisa mandatory |
| Passport stamp or label | None, digital PDF only | Physical stamp or sticker | eVisa |
Sources: GOV.UK, SAIGA Tours, CIBTvisas, Fragomen. All fees and processing times verified as of September 2026.
Who Needs a Mauritania eVisa in 2026? (Including British Citizens)
Nearly all nationalities, including British passport holders, must obtain a Mauritania eVisa before travel. According to GOV.UK travel advice and SAIGA Tours, as of 5 January 2025, nearly all nationalities must apply for the eVisa prior to arrival. No country-specific exemptions apply to UK citizens.
Entry requirements for British passport holders at the border:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity from entry date)
- Printed Mauritania eVisa PDF or digital copy on phone (with QR code)
- Return or onward flight booking
- Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation letter)
- Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)
The ANRPTS application requires a passport with at least 6 months validity and a digital passport-format photo.
How to Apply for a Mauritania eVisa: Step-by-Step Guide via ANRPTS
Applicants create an account on the ANRPTS online application portal (anrpts.gov.mr), complete the online form, upload a passport scan and digital photo, then receive a pre-approval PDF within 48 to 72 business hours.
The portal interface is Arabic-only. Use browser auto-translation. Navigation menu items: الرئيسية (Home), الأخبار (News), هويتي (Houweyyati), eVISA, خدمات الوكالة (Agency Services), النصوص التنظيمية (Regulatory Texts), مركز المساعدة (Help Center).
Visit anrpts.gov.mr and click the eVISA tab
Navigate to the eVISA tab in the top navigation of the ANRPTS portal.
Create an account
Register using your email address and a password.
Select visa type
Choose 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day tourist eVisa.
Enter personal and passport details
Fill in all details exactly as shown in your passport.
Upload documents
Upload a passport biodata page scan and a digital passport-format photo.
Submit and wait for confirmation
Submit the application and wait for email confirmation.
Processing time is 48 to 72 business hours. Apply at least 7 business days before departure. The Mauritania eVisa is issued as a PDF with a QR code, delivered by email. No stamp or label is placed in the passport (source: CIBTvisas). Airline staff verify the QR code at check-in.
Can You Still Get a Visa on Arrival in Mauritania? Fee Payment
Visa on arrival is no longer available. Airlines require a pre-approved eVisa before boarding, and arrival without one risks denied boarding.
Warning: Since 5 January 2025, airlines will not allow you to board a flight to Mauritania without a pre-approved eVisa. The old visa on arrival is abolished. Arriving without an eVisa means being turned away at check-in, not at the Mauritanian border. (Source: Fragomen, VisasNews.)
The eVisa fee of 55 EUR (approximately 60 USD) is collected as cash payment on arrival at the immigration counter in Mauritania. No credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments are accepted. Bring the exact amount in clean, undamaged notes. Small denominations preferred. No change is given.
eVisa at Land Borders: Overland Travel from Morocco and Senegal
The Mauritania eVisa is accepted at all international ports of entry, including major land border crossings. The same eVisa and same 55 EUR exact cash fee apply at land borders as at airports.
- PK55 / Guerguerat – Morocco / Western Sahara border; main overland route from the north
- Rosso – Senegal border crossing via ferry over the Senegal River; busiest southern crossing
- Diama – Senegal border; road crossing via the Diama dam
- Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport – primary airport entry point
- Nouadhibou Airport – secondary airport; also accepts eVisa
Frequently Asked Questions: Applications and Eligibility
Can UK tourists apply for the Mauritania eVisa from the UK before travel?
Yes. The Mauritania e visa vs visa on arrival question is settled: apply online at anrpts.gov.mr. No embassy visit is required. The interface is Arabic-only. Navigate to the eVISA tab to begin.
Which is better, visa on arrival or eVisa for Mauritania in 2026?
The eVisa is the only option. Visa on arrival was abolished on 5 January 2025. The Mauritania eVisa provides pre-travel certainty: you know your entry is approved before you fly.
How much does the Mauritania eVisa cost in 2026?
55 EUR for a standard 30-day tourist eVisa (approximately 60 USD). Longer validity options (60-day, 90-day) are available at higher fees. Fee is paid in exact cash on arrival.
Why did Mauritania switch from visa on arrival to eVisa?
Mauritania modernised its immigration system through ANRPTS, aligning with digital-identity and security goals. The eVisa pre-screens travellers before departure, reducing airport congestion. The system integrates with the Houweyyati (هويتي) digital identity platform.
How long is the Mauritania eVisa valid for UK citizens?
UK citizens can choose 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day validity options. Each is a single-entry visa. Multi-entry may be available for business travellers. Verify on the ANRPTS portal.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fees, Documents and Airports
What happens if I don’t have an eVisa before boarding my flight to Mauritania?
The airline will deny you boarding. Since 5 January 2025, a pre-approved eVisa is a mandatory boarding requirement, not just an immigration requirement.
Do I need a separate transit visa for Mauritania in 2026?
This is not explicitly addressed by ANRPTS or GOV.UK. Transiting passengers should apply for the standard eVisa to avoid complications. Check the ANRPTS help center (مركز المساعدة) for updates.
What are the most common reasons for Mauritania eVisa rejection?
Common issues: expired or blurry passport scan, photo not meeting specifications, name mismatch between application and passport, incorrect nationality selected, passport validity less than 6 months.
Can I pay the Mauritania eVisa fee by card at the airport?
No. Cash payment on arrival only. Exact cash in EUR or USD. No credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments accepted at the border.
Which airports in Mauritania accept the eVisa in 2026?
All international ports of entry accept the eVisa, including Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport, Nouadhibou Airport, and all land border crossings (PK55/Guerguerat, Rosso, Diama).
