PassportSouth Africa

Mauritania: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Mauritania. You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

E-visa needed before boarding. Mauritania's ANRPTS agency issues all visas electronically. South Africa is not in Mauritania's visa-exempt list, and Mauritanian embassies no longer issue visas (Wikipedia, since June 2025).345

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Not published by official sources

Passport validity

At least 6 months after the date you arrive (UK advice).4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

How to apply

Apply online at anrpts.gov.mr/visa/requestvisa (National Agency for the Population Register and Secure Titles) before you fly. Since 5 January 2025 visa-required nationals must have the e-visa before boarding. The e-visa fee is paid on arrival in exact cash in euros or US dollars; no change or receipts are given (UK advice). Fee amount and processing time not published on the pages read. Apply well ahead. All e-visas are valid at all international ports of entry.345

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Online at anrpts.gov.mr. Embassies no longer issue visas.35

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

MAURITANIA: A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a yellow fever transmission risk country (UK advice). SOUTH AFRICA: Mauritania is on South Africa's yellow fever risk list (DIRCO lists the whole country). Everyone over 1 year old, South Africans included, returning to South Africa from Mauritania, or after an airport transit of more than 12 hours there, must show a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in South Africa. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel; the certificate is valid for life. Note: WHO treats only the south of Mauritania as a risk area, but South Africa's DIRCO list names the whole country, so carry the certificate.24

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Not published by official sources

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

1 June 2025Mauritanian embassies stopped issuing visas and refer applicants to the e-visa (Wikipedia, month only).
5 January 2025All visa-required nationals must obtain an e-visa before boarding a flight to Mauritania (Wikipedia).

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 3ANRPTS (Agence Nationale du Registre des Populations et des Titres Sécurisés), Mauritania anrpts.gov.mr

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 2DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za
  2. 4UK FCDO gov.uk

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 1Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 5Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.