A short stay is defined as any stay of maximum 6 months within a 12-month period. 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.
Business Visa - maximum 120 days in a calendar year for any stay up to 90 days and without remuneration of the holder in Mauritius.
Social Visa - granted to non-citizens sponsored by socio-cultural organizations for a maximum of 45 days to conduct social and religious activities.
Multiple Entry Visa - granted only to foreign business people with business interests in Mauritius who require a visa prior to travel. Maximum stay of 120 days per calendar year, and each trip must not exceed 90 days.
Transit Visa - granted for a maximum of 3 days. It is issued when the beneficiary has to enter the territory of Mauritius before being transferred to a third destination. The visa on arrival in Mauritius is issued at the port of entry.
Medical Visa - granted on arrival for the duration of treatment, but not exceeding 6 months.
Important :
These short-stay visas do not authorize their holders to carry out any commercial activity and generate income or to purchase property during their stay in 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.
To travel to Mauritius, in general, you are required to comply with the following requirements :
Good to know :
Canadian nationals: Students and work permit holders require a visa. Persons coming to Mauritius for business must present a letter of authorization from the host company.
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.
The following are exempt from visa requirements:
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.
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 mentioned above to file the application.
To date, more than 90% of the island's population has received 2 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and approximately 2/3 of adults over the age of 18 have received their booster dose.
This has allowed Mauritius to fully and safely open its doors to all travelers. As a result, as of July 1, 2022, foreign visitors no longer need to be tested or self-isolate to stay in Mauritius.
With the gradual lifting of restrictions for foreign travelers, non-citizens with visas, residence permits or occupation permits must again comply with the conditions for extension of stay. As for visitors (tourists), they are still subject to the maximum legal duration of stay in Mauritius of 3 months, with the possibility of extension of stay with the Passport and Immigration Office. The extension can not exceed 3 months. The maximum duration of stay (first 3 months 3 months of extension) is granted during a calendar year.
As soon as you obtain your resident permit in Mauritius, it is essential to register your presence in the country with the embassy or consulate of your country of origin in Mauritius.
Depending on your nationality, registering at your Embassy or Consulate would automatically register you on the electoral roll to continue exercising your civic rights from Mauritius.
As elsewhere in the world, petty crimes and burglaries occur in Mauritius, especially in busy areas such as Port Louis, Grand Bay and Flic en Flac.
Nevertheless, the majority of crimes reported to the authorities in Mauritius are non-violent, apart from a few rare cases, serious enough to make the news headlines from time to time.
Safety tips for visitors and residents of Mauritius:
Useful addresses and link :
Passport & Immigration Office
Passport & Immigration Office - Sterling House 9-11, Lislet Geoffroy Street - Port Louis
Phone: (230) 210 9312 - Fax: (230) 210 9322
E-mail: piomain@govmu.org
Website: passport.govmu.org
Airport Passport & Immigration Office
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport,
Plaisance,
Plaine Magnien
Phone: (230) 637 3720/(230) 637 4108