Mauritania visa options for Poland passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Mauritania

Rules are written for non-exempt foreign nationals (most non-African/non-Arab passport holders, e.g. EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia); citizens of certain African and Arab states are visa-exempt for up to 90 days.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist e-Visa (short-stay)

  30, 90 or 360 days depending on the option chosen; single- or multiple-entry (verify per nationality).

  Insurance

  Recommendednot a stated entry requirement, but strongly advised: in-country medical facilities are very limited and air-ambulance evacuation is costly, so high-limit travel medical cover is sensible.

  Good for

  Leisure travellers, sightseers and people visiting friends or family who are not from a visa-exempt country.

  Requirement

  Approved e-visa from the official ANRPTS portal (anrpts.gov.mr) before boarding, printed copy; passport valid 6+ months with a blank page, passport photo, and a yellow-fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic area. Fees are tiered (lower for African/Arab nationals) and paid online or on arrival; approx €55 for the rest of the world for 30 days, more for longer/multiple-entry. Verify.

• Business

  Business e-Visa (short-stay)

  30, 90 or 360 days; single- or multiple-entry (verify).

  Insurance

  Recommendednot formally required, but advisable given limited local medical facilities and high evacuation costs.

  Good for

  Visitors attending meetings, exploring investment, or visiting a partner company - not for taking up paid employment.

  Requirement

  Approved e-visa via the ANRPTS portal before travel; passport valid 6+ months with a blank page, photo, often an invitation/letter from a Mauritanian host organisation, and yellow-fever certificate if applicable. A business visa does not grant the right to work; a separate work permit is required even for short assignments. Fees tiered by nationality (verify).

• Work

  Work Permit + Long-Stay Visa

  Tied to the permit class - reported as roughly 1 year renewable (WP A), up to ~4 years (WP B), and a long-term class for expatriates staying 10+ years (WP C). Verify current classes with the Ministry of Labour.

  Insurance

  Requiredno published mandatory insurance rule, but a medical certificate is part of the permit file and private health cover is strongly advised given limited local healthcare.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up employment with a Mauritania-registered employer (expatriates, skilled workers).

  Requirement

  Employer-sponsored: the company applies to the labour authorities (Ministry of Public Service/Labour) and must show the role cannot be filled locally. Documents include a signed employment contract, CV/diplomas, passport copy, photos, a medical certificate and police clearance, usually in French or certified translation. A long-stay visa (applied for at an embassy/consulate) is the prerequisite entry route; processing is reported around 8-14 weeks.

• Study

  Student Visa / Long-Stay (study)

  Aligned to the academic programme, with extensions possible for the duration of studies. Verify.

  Insurance

  Requiredno published mandatory insurance rule found; private health cover is advisable given limited local healthcare.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals enrolled at a recognised Mauritanian educational institution.

  Requirement

  Acceptance/enrolment letter from a recognised Mauritanian institution and proof of sufficient funds to support studies; passport valid 6+ months. Long stays generally require a long-stay visa and may need a residence permit; details should be confirmed with the institution and a Mauritanian embassy.

• Residence

  Residence Permit (Carte de Séjour)

  Reported as 1-2 years, renewable (often under the same employer). Verify.

  Insurance

  Requiredno published mandatory insurance requirement, but private health cover is strongly advised for residents given limited local medical facilities.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals settling for long-term stay/residency, typically after a work permit is approved.

  Requirement

  Issued by the Directorate General of National Security after the work permit is granted; the work permit is a prerequisite. Requires a valid passport and appropriate long-stay entry authorisation. There is no points-based or automatic permanent-residence track; permanent residency is discretionary and generally needs several years of continuous legal residence. Verify with Mauritanian authorities.

• Transit

  Transit e-Visa

  Short transit; passengers staying under ~24 hours within the international transit zone of Nouakchott-Oumtounsy airport typically need no transit visa.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required - no insurance requirement for short transit; travel medical cover still recommended for any onward leg.

  Good for

  Travellers passing through Mauritania who must leave the international airside zone.

  Requirement

  If you must collect luggage, change terminals or stay overnight (i.e. clear immigration), an e-visa obtained in advance via the ANRPTS portal is required, since visa-on-arrival is no longer available. Verify against your itinerary.

Mauritania switched to a mandatory online e-visa in January 2025 and figures vary by nationality; confirm category, fees and duration on the official ANRPTS portal (anrpts.gov.mr) or a Mauritanian embassy before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Poland → Mauritania: frequently asked

Do Poland passport holders need a visa to visit Mauritania?

e-Visa. Apply for a visa online before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Poland passport holder live or work long-term in Mauritania?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Mauritania has 6 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Mauritania?

Entry to Mauritania never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Mauritania visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.