Mauritania Opens Online Visa Portal as 11 African Countries Get Visa-Free Access
- Mauritania launched an online visa application portal managed by the National Agency for Population and Secure Titles Registry
- Citizens of 11 countries, mostly West and North African neighbours, can enter Mauritania without obtaining a visa in advance
- Holders of diplomatic and service passports are also eligible for courtesy visas under the new framework
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Mauritania has rolled out a dedicated online portal allowing foreign nationals to apply for entry visas ahead of travel, while also confirming that citizens of 11 countries already enjoy visa-free access under existing bilateral agreements.
Source: Twitter
The portal is managed by the National Agency for Population and Secure Titles Registry, which receives and forwards completed applications to the relevant Mauritanian authorities for assessment.
Once an application is approved, the applicant receives a confirmation document that can be printed and presented either at the boarding gate or at a land border crossing.
All remaining entry checks are then conducted by immigration officials at the designated point of arrival.
11 African countries exempt from Mauritania's visa requirement
Mauritania has entered into mutual visa waiver agreements with 11 countries, allowing citizens of those countries to enter without prior authorisation.
The full list of eligible countries for Mauritania's visa-free policy is below:
1. Mali
2. Gambia
3. Niger
4. Senegal
5. Guinea-Bissau
6. Tunisia
7. Libya
8. Ivory Coast
9. Algeria
10. Chad
11. Burkina Faso
Most of these nations share borders with Mauritania or belong to common regional blocs across West and North Africa, reflecting the country's long-standing diplomatic relationships with its neighbours.
How to apply for a Mauritania visa online
Travellers from countries not covered by a waiver agreement can use the online route as an alternative to applying through a consulate.
Applicants are required to visit the agency's website, fill in the necessary fields, and submit their request for processing.
The system is intended to streamline the experience for both visitors and border officials, shifting administrative work away from points of entry and allowing personnel to focus on technical verification upon arrival.
Separately, holders of diplomatic passports, service passports, and United Nations-issued travel documents are eligible to receive free or courtesy visas upon entry into Mauritania.
Liberia grants 12 African countries visa-free entry
Similarly, Liberia has confirmed which African countries qualify for visa-free entry into the West African nation.
Liberia's visa-free policy is tied to membership of the key regional bloc, ECOWAS, leaving most African countries outside the arrangement.
The Liberian government has also outlined the conditions under which visa applications from ineligible countries can be rejected.
Russia confirms 17 African countries for visa-free
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh also reported that Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had published the conditions governing visa-free entry for citizens of select African countries.
South Africa stood out as the only African nation whose ordinary passport holders qualify for the arrangement.
16 other African countries appear on Russia's list, but access is restricted to diplomatic and service passport holders only.
Source: YEN.com.gh
