For a foreign national undertaking local work for a Mauritanian citizen who formally sponsors the residence request.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: procedures.gov.mr · checked 2026-07-26
Western Africa · Immigration
Mauritania
Mauritania sits in Western Africa. Its immigration system runs 9 distinct routes — led by work, family and starting a business, each set out in official law. 8 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 9across 7 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 8 of 9cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work2 of the 9 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- Western Africa
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Population
- 5,315,065
- Official language
- Arabic
- Currency
- MRU
- Time zone
- UTC
Source-cited pathways
Immigration routes
All 9 routes, grouped by purpose — 8 of 9 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
2 routes
For a foreign employee working for a private or public-sector entity in Mauritania under valid employment evidence.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Starting a business
1 route
For a foreign owner or associate of a company registered and tax-compliant in Mauritania.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: procedures.gov.mr · checked 2026-07-26
Study
1 route
For a student currently enrolled in a public or recognized private institution, including an approved mahadra.
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 3
Official government source: procedures.gov.mr · checked 2026-07-26
Family
2 routes
For a foreign minor who can prove parentage to at least one parent resident in Mauritania.
Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: procedures.gov.mr · checked 2026-07-26
For the foreign spouse of a Mauritanian citizen whose marriage is evidenced in an accepted official form.
Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: procedures.gov.mr · checked 2026-07-26
Culture, faith and volunteering
1 route
For a foreign member or worker of an approved association, NGO, church or religious body in Mauritania.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: procedures.gov.mr · checked 2026-07-26
Short stays and visits
1 route
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Humanitarian protection
1 route
For a person in Mauritania seeking international protection because return would expose them to persecution, conflict or serious harm.
Report facts: 5
Official sources
See which Mauritania routes you actually qualify for.
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