PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Mauritania

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Mauritania.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Before you go

  • Passport validity

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

  • 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.

  • Where South Africans apply

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

  • 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.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. ANRPTS (Agence Nationale du Registre des Populations et des Titres Sécurisés), Mauritania (Official, anrpts.gov.mr) https://anrpts.gov.mr/visa/requestvisa
  2. 2. DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
  3. 3. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mauritania/entry-requirements
  4. 4. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  5. 5. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Mauritania

From doineedavisa.co.za/mauritania. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.