Mauritius offers various visa categories tailored to different travel purposes, from leisure visits to business ventures and long-term residence. Understanding these visa types ensures you select the appropriate option for your intended stay.
Tourist and Visitor Visas
Tourist visas permit stays up to 180 days within a calendar year, with visa on arrival available for 60 days or 2 weeks depending on nationality. Extensions up to 6 months may be granted on a case-by-case basis, subject to immigration requirements. For business visits, stays are restricted to a maximum of 120 days per calendar year.
Premium Visa for Long Stays
The Premium Visa is valid for one year with the option to renew, allowing non-citizens to stay in Mauritius for up to a year. This visa is required for stays exceeding 180 days in a calendar year. The Premium Visa is issued free of charge with no processing fee applicable, and applications are approved within 48 hours for submissions made Monday to Friday. You can work remotely but cannot enter the Mauritius labor market.
Business Visa Categories
Business visas serve various commercial purposes:
- Business visas permit a maximum of 120 days in a calendar year, with each individual trip not exceeding 90 days, provided you are not remunerated in Mauritius
- Multiple-entry business visas may be granted subject to a maximum of 120 days in a calendar year
- Investment visas for substantial business investments with extended validity
Social and Religious Visas
Social visas are granted to non-citizens sponsored by socio-cultural organizations for a maximum period of 45 days to carry out social and religious activities. Non-citizens traveling to Mauritius for religious purposes must apply and obtain a social visa prior to travel.
Employment and Work Permits
Occupation Permits under the Professional category are issued for a maximum period of three years or as per the duration of the contract of employment. Occupation Permits for Investor and Self-employed categories are issued for a maximum period of ten years, renewable thereafter. Work permits generally take 4-6 weeks to process. The minimum salary threshold for Occupation Permits is typically MUR 60,000 per month, though this varies depending on position and industry.
Student and Academic Visas
Prospective students are advised to travel to Mauritius only after their application for study or training has been approved. Foreign students who have completed at least an undergraduate degree at a recognized tertiary education institution in Mauritius are eligible to apply for a Young Professional Occupation Permit, which must be submitted within 6 months after publication of results.
Medical and Transit Visas
Medical visas are granted to foreign nationals coming for medical treatment in registered private healthcare institutions, granted on arrival for the duration of treatment but not exceeding 6 months. Transit visas are granted to passengers traveling to a third country within 24 hours.
Long-Term Residence Options
Holders of an Occupation or Residence Permit are eligible to apply for a 20-year Residence Permit if they hold an Occupation Permit for at least 3 years with a basic monthly salary of at least MUR 150,000 for 3 consecutive years, or invest at least USD 375,000 in a qualifying business activity. Foreign nationals above the age of 50 years may retire in Mauritius under a Residence Permit.
You can extend a valid Mauritius visa by applying to the Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office and submitting required documents including a visa extension application form, passport photocopy, airline reservation, accommodation, financial proof, and invitation letter.
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