Work Permits & Business Immigration in Mauritania via Employer of Record

Hiring foreign nationals in Mauritania requires formal labour market clearance, pre-entry authorisation, and structured coordination with multiple government bodies. The process is not standardised or well-documented, and employers without a local presence typically lack the legal standing to sponsor foreign workers or file immigration paperwork directly.

Acumen International acts as the legal Employer of Record in Mauritania. We sponsor work permits, manage the employment relationship under local law, and ensure that immigration and payroll timelines are legally aligned. We enable businesses to deploy foreign talent in-country without setting up an entity or exposing themselves to legal liability.

Work Authorisation Process in Mauritania

Foreign workers must obtain both a work permit and a residence permit to be legally employed in Mauritania. These documents are employer-linked and non-transferable. The process includes pre-arrival coordination, post-arrival filings, and document sequencing that must be handled carefully to avoid refusal or penalty.

1. Pre-Hire Labour Market Test

Before filing a work permit, the employer must demonstrate that the position cannot be filled by a Mauritanian national. This typically involves registering the job vacancy with the local employment office and submitting a justification. Sometimes, this step can be waived for high-skill roles or intra-company assignments — but waiver decisions are discretionary.

Acumen manages this process as the legal employer and prepares the job declaration package.

2. Entry Visa Application

Most foreign nationals require a visa prior to entry. For employment-based entry, the correct visa type must reflect the intention to work and must be supported by documentation from the local employer (Acumen). Entering on a tourist or business visa may disqualify the applicant from later securing work and residence status.

Acumen issues a job offer letter and sponsor confirmation to support the visa application.

3. Work Permit Application

Once in-country, Acumen submits the work permit application to the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Employment. Required documents include:

Signed employment contract (with Acumen as the local employer)
Proof of labour market test or exemption
Copy of entry visa and passport
Academic/professional qualifications, translated into French
Police clearance from the home country
Local medical certificate
Two to four passport photographs
Sector-specific clearance (if applicable)

Processing time varies, but applications are often approved within 4–8 weeks. Acumen handles submission, follow-up, and communication with the local authorities.

4. Residence Authorisation

After work authorisation is granted, the employee must register with the Directorate General of National Security to apply for a residence card. This legalises the foreign national’s presence and must be kept valid throughout the assignment.

Documents include:

Proof of work permit
Lease or accommodation certificate
Updated medical clearance
Identification documents and entry stamp copy
Application forms, biometric data, and local address registration

Residence cards are typically issued for 1–2 years and can be renewed under the same employer.

Documents Required for Work and Residence Permits

Pre-Arrival: Employee

Valid passport
Entry visa application form
Police clearance from country of residence
Degree certificate and CV (French translation may be required)
Signed offer letter from Acumen
Passport-size photos

Post-Arrival: Employee & Employer

Employment contract
Completed work permit and residence forms
Local medical certificate (government-approved clinic)
Proof of accommodation
Biometric data (fingerprinting, photo)
Copies of visa, passport, and entry stamp
Labour market declaration or waiver
Additional sectoral clearance (if relevant)

All documents must be submitted in French or with certified translation. Missing or mismatched documentation will delay or block approvals.

Estimated Timeframe for Onboarding in Mauritania

Labour market registration: 1–2 weeks
Entry visa issuance: 1–3 weeks
Work permit approval: 4–8 weeks
Residence card issuance: 2–3 weeks
Total onboarding time: 8–14 weeks.

All-in-One Global Employment Support in Mauritania

Acumen International provides the full legal infrastructure to employ foreign nationals in Mauritania — from immigration sponsorship to compliant in-country payroll — under one accountable structure.

We act as your local employer, ensuring that all employment activity is legally aligned with the country’s administrative realities.

Here’s how we can help you hire international and local talent in Mauritania:

Immigration Sponsorship with Full Compliance
We sponsor work permits and residence authorisations under Acumen’s local entity, coordinating approvals across both labour and security authorities — with no shortcuts or assumptions.
End-to-End Global Mobility Support
We manage all documentation, timing, and sequencing across visa, permit, and onboarding stages — ensuring that employment begins only when legal requirements are met.
Locally Compliant Payroll and Contributions
We process payroll in Mauritania, handle social security and local tax registration, and ensure timely payments under local employment law.
Employment Without Entity Setup
For businesses without a legal presence in Mauritania, we provide a compliant route to hire and manage international staff, without triggering permanent establishment risk or other legal exposure.
Scalable Expansion into Difficult Markets
We support the rapid deployment of critical talent in high-friction jurisdictions. Whether you’re moving a single specialist or building an early team, we provide legal employment infrastructure for it.
Integrated Compliance Management
We help you navigate employment classification, permanent establishment risk, and jurisdictional liability, not just in Mauritania, but across 190+ countries.