General Guidelines: To apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa

The U.S. Embassy Nouakchott utilizes an online appointment system for Non-Immigrant visa applications. Appointments are available Mondays and Wednesdays excluding US and Mauritanian Holidays.

We recommend that you apply 3 to 4 weeks before your departure date to allow enough time for the administrative procedures that are sometimes necessary prior to the visa issuance. Applicants subject to these procedures will be informed at the interview time.

You will need to bring with you an ID document other than the passport for your access to the consular waiting room.  This ID document will be kept at the Embassy guard post until you are ready to exit the Embassy Compound.

Visa recipients are generally called within a week to pick up their passport once visas are printed. 

Payment Procedure for the Nonimmigrant Visa application fee

Applicants for official visas are exempt from this fee.  Please contact the Consular Section with any questions regarding exemption prior to the interview.  All other Nonimmigrant visa applicants - regardless of age - must pre-pay a non-refundable visa application fee before appearing for the visa interview.  The fee is the equivalent of $160 and must be paid in Ouguiya at the central branch of BMCI (La Banque Mauritanienne pour le Commerce International) located on Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser. The bank will issue an individual receipt with the name of the visa applicant.  This receipt is valid for one year and only one interview. For information on visa fees visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html#temp

The fee is 190 US$ for the following visa categories:

• H (temporary worker),
• L (interacompany transferee),
• O (alien with extraordinary ability),
• P (internationaly recognized athlete or entertainer),
• Q (participant in international cultural exchange program),
• R ( alien in religious occupation)

Visa applicants of these categories will need to pay a differential of 30 US $ at the US embassy.

Reciprocity Fees

In some cases, a "reciprocity fee" may be required once the visa has been authorized, but before the visa is issued. Reciprocity fees vary by visa type and the nationality of the applicant. This is based on what individual governments charge American citizens for the equivalent visa. When applicable the reciprocity fee is paid to the consular cashier following the interview. Mauritanian citizens are not required to pay any reciprocity fee.  You may visit the Department of State's Reciprocity Fee Website to learn if your application requires a reciprocity fee.

Documents needed for the visa application:

• A passport valid for at least six months.
• A receipt form BMCI bank for the non-refundable application fee in ouguiya (equivalent to $160 U.S. Dollars.)
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application form filled out completely:

As of March 1, 2010 the American Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania will only accept visa applications prepared using the new electronic DS-160 application, which is available at: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/.  Additional instructions are available by clicking on the "Application Forms" link on the menu on the left.  

• A full frontal view color photograph against a white or off-white background is required. The photograph must be taken in the last six months and must measure 5 cm x 5 cm with the head centered in the frame and measuring 2.5 cm. Applicants should attempt to upload their photograph electronically onto the DS-160 form. If they are unable to successfully upload their photograph, they should bring one photo to the American Embassy with the confirmation receipt from the DS-160 application.
• Applicants may want to bring proof of ties to Mauritania, such as work documents, recent bank statements covering the transactions for the last 12 months, a commercial registerand property ownership documents. The consular officer will only consider your personal financial resources and NOT any financial information from family members, business associates or friends, whether in the US or Mauritania.
• During the interview your ten index fingers will be scanned by an inkless device.