Applying for a student visa in Mauritius
If you're looking to move to Mauritius as an international student, you will probably need a student visa. Here's an overview of the general conditions to be met to apply for a student visa.
Who is eligible for a student visa to Mauritius?
The student visa in Mauritius is a permit that authorizes an eligible non-citizen to enter and stay in Mauritius to study full or part-time in:
- An institution of higher learning registered with the Higher Education Commission (HEC);
- Or in a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution registered with the Mauritius Qualifications Authority;
- Or to attend a practical training course which is part of higher education.
What are the conditions to be met to obtain a student visa in Mauritius?
The applicant must have received a letter of acceptance from the institution he/she wishes to join in Mauritius and must be enrolled:
- In one or more programs at a recognized institution of higher learning or TVET institution to take specific modules full-time for one or two semesters, a certificate or diploma course for at least one academic year;
- Or at a recognized institution of higher learning to take a full-time or part-time undergraduate degree course;
- Or at an accredited institution of higher education to take full or part-time postgraduate courses (including master's, MPhil or PhD level;
- Or doing post-doctoral research.
- Or coming to Mauritius as part of an exchange program of a maximum duration of one year with a recognized institution of higher learning.
Applying for a student visa in Mauritius
The application for a student visa in Mauritius must be submitted to the Passport and Immigration Office by the institution of higher education or the vocational education and training institution (TVET) in which the student is enrolled.
Once the international student has returned all the required documents and made the payments to their host university in Mauritius, the institution will submit all the supporting documents to the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO) located in Port Louis. The PIO will process and issue the student visa by email.
The application for a visa to attend a practical training course as part of a higher education program must be submitted directly to the Passport and Immigration Office by the trainee or by the host institution/company in Mauritius.
List of documents to be submitted for the student visa:
- The "Application to Enter Mauritius" form duly completed and signed by the applicant;
- 2 recent passport-size photos of the applicant;
- Photocopy of the applicant's passport bio-data pages;
- Original letter of admission to a recognized educational or TVET institution.
- Details of the duration of the course and confirmation from the Higher Education Commission or the Mauritius Qualifications Authority that the course chosen is full or part-time.
- Documented proof of availability of funds or financial ability to cover the cost of study and stay in Mauritius.
- A medical certificate stating that the applicant does not suffer from any contagious or infectious disease. A test for HIV and Hepatitis B and a chest X-ray must be performed at a private medical laboratory, clinic or hospital in Mauritius. The test results and the chest x-ray report must be submitted to the Passport and Immigration Office within one month of arrival.
