Mauritius Immigration and Visas

Mauritius is an island nation on the southeast coast of Africa. The country enjoys a stable democracy and a healthy economy, and its currency is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR).

Mauritius is popular with foreign investors and is one of the countries in Africa with the highest per capita income. Foreign nationals’ entry and residence in Mauritius are overseen by the Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office (PIO), Prime Minister’s Office, and Economic Development Board.

Read more about the different types of Mauritian visas and their requirements below.

There are nine types of Mauritius visas.

Mauritius Tourism/Business Visa
Mauritius doesn’t distinguish between Tourist and Business Visas. However, business visa applications have a few more steps than tourist visas.
Note: The maximum stay in Mauritius must not exceed 90 days, and you must not receive remuneration from within Mauritius.

Mauritius Premium Visa
The Mauritius Premium Visa was created for people who want to enter Mauritius for a long time with the option to work remotely.
The premium visa is often preferred over the tourist visa because it allows for work-related activities.

Mauritius Study Visa
Mauritius welcomes international students to pursue their academic aspirations! Depending on your program and duration of study, you may qualify for one of the following visa options:

Short-Term Studies: Embark on a focused learning experience by enrolling in specific modules for one or two semesters at a recognized institution. This option is ideal for those seeking a taste of Mauritian education or pursuing specialized training.

Certificate or Diploma Programs: Dive deeper into a specific field by enrolling in a certificate or diploma program lasting at least one academic year. Gain valuable industry-ready skills to kickstart your career.

Undergraduate Degrees: Further your academic foundation by pursuing a full-time or part-time undergraduate degree program at a recognized tertiary institution. Mauritius offers a vibrant undergraduate experience that will prepare you for success.

Postgraduate Studies: Elevate your knowledge and expertise by pursuing a postgraduate program, including Masters, MPhil, or Doctoral degrees. Mauritius fosters a stimulating research environment for ambitious scholars.

Postdoctoral Research: Conduct groundbreaking research in Mauritius! This visa option is ideal for established researchers seeking a dynamic environment to push the boundaries of knowledge.

Exchange Programs: Broaden your horizons and experience a new culture through a student exchange program lasting up to one year with a recognized Mauritian institution. This is a unique opportunity to build lifelong connections and global perspectives.

Find the perfect fit for your academic goals and embark on a rewarding educational journey in Mauritius!

Mauritius Short-term Occupation Permit
The Short-term Occupation Permit applies to people who want to enter Mauritius for short-term employment.

Both types of occupation permits, the short-term and long-term, require a contract of employment with the local employer and a detailed job description. You can apply to switch your short-term permit to a long-term occupation permit if you stay with the same employer.

Mauritius Professional Occupation Permit and Young Professional Occupation Permit
The Mauritius Professional Occupation Permit (POP) and Mauritius Young Professional Occupation Permit (YPOP) apply to people who have an employment contract with a Mauritian company.

You must have qualified with an an undergraduate degree from a university or college in Mauritius and be employed by a Mauritian company to be eligible for a Young Professional Occupation Permit.

Mauritius Investor Occupation Permit
The investor OP applies to people who want to enter Mauritius to invest in a new or existing Mauritian company. Investors must invest at least US$50 000 in their chosen Mauritian company.

The Mauritius Investor Occupation Permit is valid for up to 10 years. You can apply for an extension, which is ultimatley at the discretion of Mauritius Immigration.

Mauritius Self-Employed Occupation Permit
The Self-Employed Occupation Permit only applies to professionals in the services sector. They must be registered with the Registrar of Businesses.
The Mauritius Self-employed Occupation Permit provides a path to Permanent Residence.

Mauritius Dependents Residence Permit
You can apply for a Mauritius Dependants Residence Permit if you depend on the principal visa holder for financial support.
Dependants are spouses, parents, and children, including stepchildren and lawfully adopted children under 24.

Mauritius Retirement Residence Permit
You can apply for a Mauritius Retirement Residence Permit provided you are at least 50 years of age and can invest at least US$1 500 monthly or US$18 000 annually into your local bank account.

The funds must come from outside Mauritius and not through remuneration in the country.

The requirements, forms, and documentation for all the Mauritius visas differ. It’s crucial to contact IBN Immigration Solutions, so we can assign a specialist in Mauritius immigration to oversee your application, from an initial consult to submitting applications on your behalf.

Your Mauritius immigration specialist will help you acquire any forms you’re having trouble accessing and help you complete the forms should you require them.

As with the requirements, the costs for each type of visa differ. Your Mauritian immigration consultant can give you an accurate estimate of total costs, taking miscellaneous fees and expenses into account.

The aim is to provide sufficient detail for you to create a realistic budget without being caught by hidden expenses.

The application process for all the permits/visas are similar.
You’ve already worked with your Mauritian immigration consultant to acquire and complete all required forms and documents.

The next step is to submit the application pack to our in-house quality checkers to ensure everything is in place.
After that, your immigration specialist will submit the application pack to the relevant Mauritius immigration authority on your behalf.

Do you live in South Africa and would like to move to Mauritius to retire or invest in a business? Click below to learn more