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The Basics
Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their
arrival in Mauritania. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their
arrival in Mauritania. A visa is required for British passport
holders, irrespective of the endorsement regarding their national
status contained therein.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their
arrival in Mauritania. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
their arrival in Mauritania. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
their arrival in Mauritania. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid upon
their arrival in Mauritania. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their
arrival in Mauritania. A visa is required.
Passport/Visa Note: All foreign passengers to Mauritania must hold return/onward
tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next
destination. Note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is
required, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting
through an infected area, OR if staying in Mauritania for longer
than two weeks. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport
has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date
of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials
often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and
official sources.
Local Customs: Since Mauritania is an Islamic state, governed by Islamic law,
visitors should at all times be respectful of the social mores that
have been entrenched in the country by the teachings of the Koran.
Visitors are encouraged particularly to be observant during the
month of Ramadan, when eating, smoking or drinking in public is
severely frowned upon. Conservative dress (covering the arms and
legs) and reserved public behaviour are the norms, especially for
women. Be sure to remove your shoes before entering people's homes
and mosques. Note that Mauritania is a dry country, and although
there are restaurants that will sell alcohol to foreigners,
drinking with locals is strictly prohibited. Note also that it is
considered taboo for women to lie on their backs, and for men to
lie on their stomachs, in public places. Public displays of
affection are totally out of the question: in Mauritania, not even
married couples are allowed to hold hands in public. It is also
worth bearing in mind that Mauritanians are extremely direct
communicators, and may eschew normal pleasantries such as "Please"
and "Thank-you." Finally, it is considered extremely rude to ignore
people who greet you in public places.
Duty Free: Those travelling to Mauritania over the age of 18 may import the
following goods duty-free: 200 cigarettes/25 cigars/450g of
tobacco, 50ml of perfume and 250ml eau de toilette. Alcohol is
prohibited, and firearms require an import and gun license prior to
arrival.
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