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Mauritania
Entry into Mauritanian territory is via 45 crossing points authorized by the government. This rule must be respected and unauthorized border crossings must be avoided. In addition, access to the military zone in the northeast of the country (see areas formally advised against) is subject to the express authorization of the general staff or the governor of the region.
A biometric visa is mandatory for French citizens traveling to Mauritania. Anyone with a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country can apply for this biometric visa at certain Mauritanian diplomatic missions abroad. However, it is recommended that you apply for the biometric visa upon arrival:
at the international airports of Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, or Atar; the latter is only open during the tourist season from September to April;
at the PK55 Nouadhibou border posts (Western Sahara border), Rosso and Diama (Senegal border);
at Nouadhibou airport for boaters who have arrived in Nouadhibou by sea.
The Gogui border crossing is in the red zone: it is strongly advised not to use it.
The visa issued on arrival by the National Agency for Population Registration and Secure Documents (ANRPTS) costs €55; it is valid for 30 days and a single entry.
In the event of non-compliance with entry or exit requirements and a ban on crossing the border imposed by the Mauritanian authorities, the embassy will be unable to intervene.
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A stay abroad requires all travelers to take certain health precautions. The section below provides essential information. However, this information does not exempt travelers from consulting their doctor and/or a hospital specializing in travel medicine before departure (well in advance of departure, to allow time for any necessary booster vaccinations).
In order to cover hospitalization costs and healthcare expenses, which can sometimes be very high abroad, it is essential to have an assistance contract or insurance policy that covers all medical expenses (surgery, hospitalization, etc.) and medical repatriation, otherwise you may not have access to care, even in a life-threatening emergency. These costs cannot under any circumstances be covered by the French embassy or consulates general in the country.
If necessary, consult your doctor or an international vaccination center to assess your health and obtain health recommendations, particularly regarding vaccinations. You may also wish to consult your dentist before departure.
Put together your personal first-aid kit accordingly and only take the necessary medications with you; never consume medications purchased on the street (risk of counterfeits).
For more information, see the Practical Information sheet.
The yellow fever vaccine is no longer mandatory for passengers coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic. Given the active circulation of the yellow fever virus and the presence of vectors capable of transmitting it, it is strongly recommended that travelers to Mauritania, particularly those traveling south of the Sahara, be up to date with their yellow fever vaccinations.
An update of the diphtheria-tetanus-polio (DTP) vaccination is recommended, including rubella, mumps, and measles for children; tuberculosis vaccination is also desirable.
Depending on local travel conditions, vaccinations against typhoid fever and viral hepatitis A and B may be recommended.
It is best to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis A + C + Y + W135.
Rabies vaccination may also be recommended in certain cases, depending on the conditions and location of your stay. Ask your doctor or an international vaccination center for advice.
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