Traveling to Mauritius
Are you looking to move to Mauritius on a short-term visa to scout for opportunities or to get a feel of life on the island? Here are the entry requirements for short-term visas.
Short stays in Mauritius
A short stay is defined as any stay of up to 6 months within 12 months. Mauritius offers several categories of short-stay visas:
Tourist Visa
A maximum period of 6 months may be granted in a calendar year on a case-by-case basis, subject to immigration requirements. Beneficiaries may take advantage of their stay in Mauritius to apply for a Premium Visa or an Occupation Permit.
Business Visa
A maximum of 120 days in a calendar year is allowed for any stay up to 90 days, as long as the holder does not receive any remuneration in Mauritius.
Social Visa
Granted to non-citizens sponsored by sociocultural organizations for a maximum of 45 days to conduct social and religious activities.
Multiple Entry Visa
It is granted only to foreign business people with business interests in Mauritius who require a visa before travel. Maximum stay of 120 days per calendar year, and each trip must not exceed 90 days.
Transit Visa
It is granted to passengers traveling to a third country within 24 hours. It is issued when the beneficiary has to enter the Mauritian territory before being transferred to a third destination. The visa on arrival in Mauritius is issued at the port of entry.
Medical Visa
This visa is granted on arrival for the duration of medical treatment in Mauritius, but not exceeding 6 months.
Important:
These short-stay visas do not authorize their holders to carry out any commercial activity and generate income during their stay in Mauritius.
European, Canadian and Swiss nationals traveling to Mauritius
European, Canadian and Swiss nationals wishing to stay in Mauritius for less than 3 months do not need a visa. On arrival, the immigration services stamp their passport, authorizing their entry into the territory.
Conditions to be met are the following:
- Have a valid passport for the entire duration of the stay and a return ticket.
- For Canadian nationals, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of departure from Mauritius.
- Proof of accommodation in Mauritius and financial capacity (USD 100 per day).
Canadian nationals: Students and work permit holders require a visa. People coming to Mauritius for business must present a letter of authorization from the host company.
Nationals of other countries traveling to Mauritius
Nationals of other countries should contact the Mauritian diplomatic representation closest to their place of residence for visa application requirements and a list of documents to be provided.
The Passport and Immigration Office website provides complete information in the "Services and Information" section at the bottom of the page.
Find out if you need a visa to visit Mauritius.
Here's how to apply for a visa for Mauritius.
Visa exemptions for Mauritius
The following are exempt from visa requirements when traveling to Mauritius:
- Mauritian citizens;
- Persons residing in Mauritius under the Immigration Act;
- The spouse of a Mauritian citizen;
- Children legally adopted by Mauritian citizens and their spouses;
- Holders of diplomatic passports other than those issued by the governments of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, State of Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen;
- Holders of passports issued by the governments of European Union countries;
- Crews of a vessel travelling on duty or in transit to another vessel;
- Holders of passes issued by the United Nations, COMESA, SADC, or other internationally recognized organizations;
- Holders of passports issued by INTERPOL, who come to Mauritius on official business;
- Holders of passes issued by the African Reinsurance Corporation and the African Development Bank Group in respect of their directors;
- Officers or employees coming to Mauritius on official business;
- Persons intending to remain in Mauritius only during the stay of a ship by which they arrive and depart.
For stays longer than 6 months, an application for a visa or residence permit will be required, depending on the type and purpose of stay.
Students and interns traveling to Mauritius
Student Visa
Once the international student has returned all the required documents and made all 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.
Visa for interns
If the internship is a practical one within the framework of higher education, the student can go in person to the Passport Office to apply.
Health requirements for traveling to Mauritius
Travelers are required to fill out an identification and health form upon arrival in Mauritius. Since July 1, 2022, testing and self-isolation are no longer mandatory, but health measures may differ.
Application for extension of stay in Mauritius
Non-citizens with visas, residence permits, or occupation permits must comply with the conditions for extension of stay. The conditions for extending your stay are specified as follows:
For Tourist Visas:
- A return ticket, to be presented upon arrival;
- Exact contact details (telephone and address) of the accommodation provider, whether it be a hotel, Airbnb, or private individual;
- A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date.
For Residence Permits:
- The permanent residence permit is valid for 20 years. In cases where property is acquired under an approved scheme, the right of residence is tied to the duration of ownership of the property.
For Occupation Permits:
- The initial validity period of an Occupation Permit (OP) varies based on the type (e.g., foreign employee, investor);
- It is possible to renew an OP before its expiry date.
Conditions for renewing an Occupation Permit (investor and self-employed):
- The company must have achieved annual sales of at least Rs 4 million from the third year of operation.
An occupation permit in the self-employed category is issued for a maximum period of 3 years or the duration of the employment contract, renewable thereafter following established criteria.
Useful addresses and links
Passport & Immigration Office
Address: Sterling House, 9-11, Lislet Geoffroy Street, Port-Louis
Phone: (230) 210 9312
Fax: (230) 210 9322
Email: piomain@govmu.org
Website: PIO
Airport Passport & Immigration Office
Address: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Plaisance, Plaine Magnien
Phone: (230) 637 3720 / (230) 637 4108
