So then it is straight on to the border again.

Visa Prices
 

Hi Everyone, I was just wondering if it's better to apply for the visa in Rabat or at the border. I'm not sure if it matters, but I have an American passport. I'm in Rabat now, but I won't go to Mauritania for another 3 weeks or so. Thanks!

Visa
 

Oh, this is unfortunate news. I was planning to go to the embassy in Rabat tomorrow, but I won't be in Mauritania for another month. If they increased the prices at the embassy, I guess they did the same at the border. Darn!

I will go straight to the border. If there are any hickups, I trust they will be posted here.

Maybe give it a try anyhow, they were really stressed out last thursday, might be better monday! We'll try to get something done for sure

As I understand it, you've already applied at the embassy, right? Now you're just waiting to see what will happen on Monday? My issue is that I won't be in Mauritania for another 2-3 weeks so if I get it now and they won't let me choose a future date for the visa to start, it'll be almost finished by the time I try to enter the country. How did you deal with that since you said you wanted to enter in April? For how long is your visa good? I thought they were only for a month.

Ha!! We were accosted by this guy back in January! Couldn't shake him off. He was slightly helpful, but we could have managed without him.

As an aside ... I got my visa in Paris in December -- as I wasn't sure of the exact day we would arrive at the border, I got Jan 23rd entered on the visa. We arrived there on the 25th. One junior cop got a bit "sniffy" about that but his boss pointed out to him that the 23rd was the earliest date of entry allowed.

Roger

Just returned from Mauri and want to warn that (apparently since a couple of weeks) they now only accept biometric visas, that can be done only in few embassies besides the border (I think Rabat, Paris and few others). We got there with a "regular" visa issued by the embassy of Rome and there was no way to have it accepted. After a LONG discussion we managed to convince them to accept to speak with the embassy (they were kind to call us back on a moroccan mobile). They eventually managed to convince the embassy that their visa was not valid... so we had to pay 120 eur again, but the guys of the embassy apologized and promised they'll refund us.

Met several other people in Mauri who had the same problem.

If not for this, crossing the border would have been relatively straighforward, despite the usual jumping forth and back between the different booths. We just just had to wait two hours on the way back because the customs officer who had to take off vehicles from our passports arrived late in the morning.

Do you know if it's the same price to get the visa at the border or at an embassy? For how long is the visa valid? I'd like to get it in Rabat or the border, but if it starts immediately, I guess it's better to get it at the border. Thanks!

I paid the same 120 euros at the border and embassy of Rome, I suppose it's 120 euros in Rabat as well (other earlier posts mention the same price as well). This is for a 30-day visa. The visa done at the embassy does not start immediately, I was allowed to specify the start date I needed. I was also told it's possible to get a visa for a longer period for a higher price, though I did not pay attention to the details since 30 days were enough for me. I just remember that some traveller I met in Atar complained he was allowed to get only a 30 days visa at the border and that >30 days was only allowed from embassies, so he had to get another visa after one month (and pay 120 eur again), but I cannot tell how reliable this information is.

Apart for our incident with the Rome visa, getting it at the border took no more than 15' (picture taken, fingerprint scan, and pay cash; they even issued a receipt). But I guess it could well take forever if there's any technical problem with computers, fingerprint scanner, power, or if the operator is busy with AOB.

HTH
Nicola

Mauretania visa update
 

the mauri visa in rabatt cost now 1450dh !! thats about 135 euros!! and will NOT be deliverd at the same day, pick up next day at 2pm they said. in fact they collectet the passport 2.30pm and gave it back 4pm... i just did it 4 days ago... the beginning of the visa is as usual a gamble, there were an american and an aussi, they wanted it 3 months delayd, but issued on the next day...
i dont know about the visa at the border, i keep hearing stories about that beeing denied, and driving back from the border to rabatt really sucks...

its just hilarious.... but i heard that they're thinking about a ferry from dakhla to dakar... we'll see...

oh yeah and for that money you'll get only a 30day single entry visa.... i think 90 days visas are also possible for some more dirhams but not sure if they're multiple entries...

Thanks, Nicola! That sounds great. I'm hoping to go to Rabat within in the next couple days to sort out a visa. I just didn't want it to start immediately. 30 days is enough for me as well. I have an American passport so I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get one at the border. Still debating which way to go. You paid in dirhams or euros at the border? Thanks!

You have to pay in Euro at the border. They will only accept bills that are 100% ok. If the bills have only a small tear or look used, they will not accept them (at least not in Rosso).

gesendet mit Tapatalk

On the border for 125 euro singel entry and watch they only accept bio metric visa. If you don't have one you have to buy a new one.