Mauritanian Visa

[elapid]

Hello,

Does anyone know the processing time for a Mauritanian visa from the embassy in the UK? I have applied for mine nearly 2 weeks ago and not heard anything yet. The phone goes straight to answering machine?

What are other peoples experiences ?

Mike

[backofbeyond]

A couple of years ago they did mine while I waited - about 30 mins.

I'm going to need another one for this xmas and I'm currently trying to work out whether London (expensive but at least I know I've got it) or Casablanca (cheaper but I'm stuck if they don't issue it) is the way to go.

[Chris Scott]

... or Casablanca...

Note that someone here (or on LP?) said they were asking for onward travel proof (the old airline ticket thing?) in Casa lately. So London is better but I'm sure it was on the spot or a day's wait when I did it a couple of years ago so dont know what this 2 wx is about. Maybe it's a general purge onm tourists.

See www.sahara-overland.com/news

Ch

[elapid]

I am not sure why it is taking this long. I sent the forms in by post nearly 2 weeks ago, with £42 in cash and two smiling photos of me, as well as a stamped address envelope.
I am not sure what their opening times are, every time of the day i have called this week there has been no answer, or straight the answering machine. The FCO website lists an email that just bounces also.
I am disappointed, as its my first African visa i have applied for. I hope they will not all by like this.

It looks like if i dont hear anything and cant get through early next week i will have to ride London to get my passport back - I need it for work!

Mike

[Richard K]

Although a pain, I have found it is generally better to have a day in London and get visas over the counter – otherwise the anxiety from opaque procedures, unanswered phones and postal security is too much!

[ianrichards121]

Chris
Can you still get transit visas at the border?
We intend to just drive through Mauritania and don't fancy a jolly up to London (from Cornwall) to get a visa if we can help it
TIA
Ian

[MoMix]

Last year I got my visa at the border for something like 20 euros (IIRC).

Spending two days in Casa just for the sake of it could be an option. Doing it just for the visas chores should be avoided.

Cheers,
Mario

[Chris of Motocross Africa]

£42 in cash through the British postal service...that's very generous of you, especially considering the staff are striking over pay at the moment...

[elapid]

Well, I have not had any problems so far with our postal service. Until I am able to get hold of someone in the embassy I will not be able to confirm that it has arrived.

Look at it another way, loosing £42 is not the same as the cost of taking a day off work during the week and 500 miles of petrol

[neil parsons]

In november 2006 our visas were issued at the Mauritanian embassy in London while we waited.

[wilco]

You can still get them at the border although they are now only issuing a 3 day visa (€10). Extend it in NKT

[MotoEdde]

If you're coming from the UK, I presume you're riding down through Morocco.
If you're riding through Morocco, you can pick it up in Casablanca same day.
Arrive early in the morning by 9 to get in line to fill out the form, and bring a photo copy of your passport, and pics...pick up in the afternoon after 3.

I did this in November of 2006 and received a 45 day visa...
When I crossed the border in December...they said I could have gotten the 30 day visa there as well.
But check the Lonely Planet Thorntree for recent changes.
Hope this helps.

[elapid]

It turns out that the visa was posted on Friday!!

'All good things come to those that wait'

Mike