Mauri-Mali: recent visa/border experiences

[Richard K]

Questions for recent travellers (i.e last 6 months):

1. Are 3 month visas still available on arrival when flying into NKT?

2. Mauritanian consulate Paris - are visas available over the counter? Can a 3rd party handle this or do passport holders need to be present?

3. Malian embassy, Paris - same question!

[Toyark]

Visas in NKT - yes but takes a bit more time

Paris
Malian & Mauritanian visas over the counter
Yes- get in early, have right Euros, passport valid at least a year, you can also take someone else's passport with you to obtain a visa. It helps if you carry their letter of authority, plus of course the application form and I think its 2 photographs
If all your paperwork is valid/legal/no probs then you should be ok

BTW I checked this 3 days ago as I am headed there too!

[Richard K]

Thanks for this Bert. Got the same answer from the Paris staff - well I think so anyway.

Have you (or anyone else) actually been and done this? The old practise Vs. theory principle always seems to haunt African visa apps!

[alex swan]

hi ,after going to london early oct to discover mauri embassy closed took day trip to paris on 30/10/07 no joy with visa application for mauri as it takes 3 days to process and you must apply in person try for mali visa same problem takes 2days to issue you might have more joy if your french is good but i doubt it looks like rabat is the go as casablanca consulate is also closed now

[Spieg's]

If you're going to Nouakchott, you can pick up your visa to Mali there - It was a same-day deal - the taxis know where the office is (although I put it on wikimapia.org). I also recieved a 3day visa at the border (I'm an overlander) which I extended in Nouakchott without hassle (ok, it took another morning). I imagine all borders - including the airport - offer the 3day visas. Getting African Visas are always easier in Africa rather than at home!

[Richard K]

Alex, the words 'wall', 'banging' and 'head' spring to mind!

Originally Posted by Spieg's

Getting African Visas are always easier in Africa rather than at home!

Yes its usually the case. Although I'm keen to avoid bureau trawling in Nouakchott for our group if possible.
Anyone any direct experience of flying into NKT and arranging a visa?
We're chasing a definitive answer for the Paris consulates and I'll report back - unless anyone wants to beat me to it?

[ManxScamp]

I put a reply on the topic I started about getting Mauritainia visas from the French Embassy in London a few hours ago, as I have been told today, contrary to what Richard had been told, that they do not issue visas for entry by land. Only by air. Confused.com?
And from what I’ve just read on this topic I don’t think I’ll be hoping over to Paris to try and sort it out there either.
So Spieg’s says its no problem to get a 3-day at the morocco - mauritainia border anyway. Anyone else done this lately? I assume that as you are stood there at the border that you don’t need all the letters, bank statements, tickets and your left kidney etc?

[Richard K]

Manx - a number of people have reported getting the 3 day visa recently without probs. You also have the option of the embassy in Rabat.
Replied about the London French consulate on the other thread.

No answers yet from Paris - where's the banging head emoticon?

[airamerica]

I plain to do the trip in RIM, Mali, Senegal with a car not registered on my name, but on my company name. Can be that a problem to the borders?

[Richard K]

Should be fine. Take the Carte Grise and a letter of authorisation from a Director of the company - or something official identifying yourself as a director. Stamps, letterheads and quality paper all help.