Director of the National Agency for Population Registry and Secure Documents Denies Technical Issues with E-Visa
The Director General of the National Agency for Population Registry and Secure Documents, Sidi Ali Ould Nafie, has denied the existence of any technical issues with the electronic visa system.
His remarks came in response to claims from some Mauritanian travel agencies, which alleged that technical problems in the e-visa system were causing delays in visa issuance.
No Technical Problems Exist
In an exclusive interview with Sahara 24 TV, Ould Nafie stated:
“There are no technical issues with the visa,” attributing these claims to individuals whose applications may have been rejected.
He explained that visa approval follows a strict procedure that takes into account technical, security, economic, and feasibility considerations.
Why Mauritania Transitioned to an E-Visa System
Regarding the government’s decision to adopt the electronic visa system, Ould Nafie said:
“Previously, we were receiving visitors without having any prior knowledge about them, which obligated us to grant them visas.”
He emphasized that the electronic visa replaces traditional methods, noting:
“Mauritania does not have embassies in every country, and with the e-visa, you can apply from anywhere.”
E-Visa: A Key Measure to Combat Illegal Migration
He added that this system aims to address various challenges, particularly illegal migration, which requires advanced security measures and strict enforcement.
Ould Nafie stressed:
“The first step in combating illegal migration is border control—ensuring that only those authorized by the authorities can reach our borders.”
He further clarified that the e-visa system is part of a broader national strategy to combat illegal migration, explaining that some measures are already operational, while others are still being developed.
A Secure and Independent National Database
Ould Nafie also confirmed that the national database contains all relevant information on both Mauritanian citizens and foreign residents, emphasizing that it is managed entirely within the country and is not linked to any external entities.
