Mauritius visa guide: visits, Premium Visa, permits and residence

Whether a tourist needs a visa for Mauritius depends on nationality: the Passport and Immigration Office's country list states, for each country, no visa, a visa on arrival or a visa before travel.

Foreign nationals coming to Mauritius for treatment in a private health institution registered with the Ministry of Health under the Private Health Institutions Act receive a medical visa on arrival.

Business visitors to Mauritius, who come to establish or conduct a business or investment, may stay up to 120 days in a calendar year, with no single trip longer than 90 days, provided they are not paid in Mauritius.

The Innovator Occupation Permit is for entrepreneurs and startups whose activity has research and development at its core.

The Investor Occupation Permit lets a foreign national live in Mauritius and run a business there for ten years, renewable, with a minimum investment of USD 100,000 transferred into the company’s Mauritian bank account within 60 days of the permit being issued.

The Self-Employed Occupation Permit suits freelancers and consultants who want to serve local and international clients from Mauritius.

Foreign students need a Student Entry/Residence Permit to study at a higher education institution registered with the Higher Education Commission or a training institution registered with the Mauritius Qualifications Authority.

The Premium Visa lets non-citizens stay in Mauritius for more than six months and up to one year, renewable, as long-stay tourists, retirees or professionals working remotely, with their families.

Foreign professionals employed in Mauritius usually hold an Occupation Permit, a combined work and residence permit applied for by the employer on the National Electronic Licensing System.

A non-citizen civilly married to a Mauritian citizen has resident status under section 5(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, is exempt from visa rules and obtains a free residence permit from the Passport and Immigration Office.

Foreign nationals aged 50 or over can retire in Mauritius on a ten-year Residence Permit by showing USD 24,000 in a bank statement or a guaranteed income of USD 2,000 a month, and then bringing USD 24,000 a year into a local bank account.

Non-citizens who buy residential property in Mauritius for at least USD 375,000 in a scheme approved by the Economic Development Board, or an apartment of that value in a building of at least ground plus two floors, are granted a residence permit together with their dependants for as long as they own it.

The Mauritian Permanent Residence Permit is a 20-year residency, renewable for another 20 years, for investors, professionals, self-employed people and retirees who have held their permit for at least five years and met income, salary, turnover or transfer thresholds.