Mauritius student entry and residence permit

The PIO guidelines of 11 September 2026 cover five groups: full-time students on a certificate, diploma or undergraduate programme of at least one academic year at an institution registered with the Higher Education Commission (HEC); full-time or part-time postgraduate students, from postgraduate certificate to doctorate; post-doctoral researchers; students on a course of at least six months at a training institution registered with the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA); and exchange students for up to one year. Institutions post their accredited courses on NELS, where HEC or MQA validates them.

The application is submitted to the PIO through NELS with the unique enrolment key that the system generates after the institution enrols you. Upload the passport bio pages (valid beyond the stay), a recent digital photo of the stated size, the letter of offer, your letter of acceptance, a police or character certificate under six months old that is valid nationally in your country of origin or residence and written in English or French, certified bank statements with a closing balance of at least MUR 150,000, a sponsorship letter and the sponsor’s identity if you are not self-funded, proof of accommodation, and full medical reports under six months old: a fitness certificate, blood tests including hepatitis B and C, HIV and VDRL/TPHA, and a chest X-ray certified by a radiologist. Documents in other languages need a certified English or French translation.

After a complete application the PIO decides, in principle, within 14 working days; the application can be approved, rejected or returned for more information, which must be supplied within 14 days or the file is set aside. On approval the PIO issues an entry permit valid for six months, and students are advised to travel within the three months before the course starts. Within 14 days of arrival, students repeat the blood tests and chest X-ray at a private clinic or laboratory registered with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and upload them on NELS.

NELS then notifies an appointment at the PIO, Sterling House, Port Louis, to verify the originals: passport, police certificate, bank statements, sponsorship letter, proof of accommodation and letter of offer. Only one extra appointment is granted to a student who misses the first; rescheduling requests go to the student appointment email. After verification and medical clearance the PIO grants or refuses the residence permit. With the permit and UID number the student opens a Mauritian bank account, and from the second year shows at least MUR 150,000 in a local account for each year of study.

Full-time students may work up to 20 hours a week under the Non-Citizens (Employment Restriction) Regulations 1970. Changes of personal details or address are reported to the PIO student section. A new application with a new key is needed to change course or institution. After three years in Mauritius a student swears an affidavit before a Mauritian court that they will not apply for citizenship. The permit can be extended to re-sit modules, while an Occupation Permit application is pending, during an authorised leave of absence or to attend graduation, and it can be cancelled if the student is deregistered, breaks the law or gave false information. People in Mauritius on a tourist, business or social visa cannot apply to study from inside the country.

Graduates with at least an undergraduate degree from a local tertiary institution recognised by the Higher Education Commission can be hired on a Young Professional Occupation Permit of up to three years, with a basic salary of at least MUR 25,000 a month. The PIO Student Section is on the 9th floor of Sterling House, 9-11 Lislet Geoffroy Street, Port Louis, telephone +230 260 2073 or 260 2208.