This East African country attracts thousands of travelers each year due to the presence of several islands. Citizens of more than 100 countries can visit and stay in Mauritius for a specific period without applying for a visa.
So, if you are an Indian who wants to travel to Mauritius, you have to check whether you are required to apply for a visa or not.
The Government of Mauritius has offered numerous opportunities for foreign travelers, especially Indians.
Thus, read the following blog to learn about all the features of a Mauritius visa for Indians. Besides, it will highlight other details as well such as the required documents and the available visa types.
Quick Facts about Mauritius
The country is also known as the ‘paradise on earth’ because of its charm and beauty. Moreover, Mauritius is famous for its beaches, coral reefs, cuisines, and several activities that you can add to your bucket list when planning your holidays.
Some of the following quick facts about Mauritius will help you know the essential information about the country.
| Category | Details |
| Capital | Port Louis |
| Languages | French, English, Mauritius Creole |
| Currency | Mauritian Rupee (MUR) |
| Time zone | UTC +4 hours, Mauritian Time (MUT) |
| Popular places | Black River GorgesGrand BaieLe MorneIle aux Cerfs |
| The ideal time to visit | May to December |
What is a Mauritius Visa for Indians?
A Mauritius visa for Indians allows the citizens of India to travel, enter, and stay in the host country for a specific period.
Surprisingly, India is among those countries that can enjoy a visa-free trip to Mauritius. In October 2004, the Government of Mauritius permitted travelers from India to enter the country and stay there for almost 90 days without a visa. For this purpose, they must show that they have sufficient funds to manage their stay in the foreign land.
Other than that, Mauritius also offers visa-on-arrival to foreigners including Indians at the port of entry. Furthermore, if you want to stay for more than one year in Mauritius with your family regardless of the purpose, you can apply for a Mauritius Premium Travel Visa.
Validity of a Mauritius visa
The validity of a Mauritius visa depends on the purpose of your visit to the target country and the visa type you have applied for. There are several visas available for Indian citizens that they can use while traveling to Mauritius considering their reasons.
Key features of the Mauritius visa
Mauritius is a famous destination for Indian travelers for purposes including leisure, business, or tourism. Therefore, the visa process for Mauritius is relatively simple for Indians rather than the rest of the countries.
The key features of a Mauritius visa are highlighted below:
- Other than the visa-free entry to Mauritius for three months, Indian citizens can also get a visa on arrival for almost 60 days. The only requirement that should be fulfilled is submitting the required documents.
- Furthermore, this category of visa is free of cost.
- The visa on arrival does not require you to indulge in the pre-application process. You can get it at the port of entry.
- Considering the guidelines, a visa on arrival can be extended for another sixty days by applying through the local authorities.
- Surprisingly, this visa allows you to enter and exit the country multiple times. This means that you can visit other countries as well and then return to Mauritius.
Mauritius Visa Types for Indians
As a foreign Indian national, you can choose from several visa types before traveling to Mauritius considering your purpose of visit. Here are some common Mauritius visa types for Indians.
Tourist visa
A tourist visa allows travelers from foreign countries such as India to enter and stay in the country for short-term tourist activities and sightseeing purposes. Moreover, the visa is valid for up to one hundred and eighty days with a period of one year.
Business visa
If you want to indulge in any business or investment activities in Mauritius, you can apply for a business visa. In addition, this visa type allows you a maximum stay of almost 120 days within the calendar period of one year.
However, make sure that each solo trip does not exceed the 90-day limit.
Social visa
A Mauritius social visa will permit you to engage in religious and social activities in the host country for almost forty-five days. This visa is valid for a whole single year.
Work visa
A work visa permits you to work in the host country. For this purpose, you must have a letter of employment, a work permit, and an approval letter from the relevant authorities.
Moreover, a work visa stays valid for the entire duration of your contract with the Mauritian employer.
Student visa
You, as an Indian student, can apply for a student visa to continue your studies in either tertiary, undergraduate, or postgraduate educational institutes.
The validity of the visa depends on the duration of your course or program.
Medical visa
A Mauritius medical visa allows Indian nationals to travel to the destination country for medical treatment purposes. For this purpose, make sure to get yourself registered in a private medical institute in Mauritius.
Moreover, this visa stays valid for the entire duration of the treatment, however, it should not exceed the 6-month limit within one year.
Transit visa
Indian citizens can also apply for a transit visa valid for 24 hours when traveling to another destination country via Mauritius. After the specified period, you must take your connecting flight or leave for your home country.
Multiple-entry visa
Furthermore, you can use a multiple-entry visa to enter Mauritius numerous times within the validity of one year. This visa will help you to conduct investment and business activities in the country for 120 days, which is the maximum duration of your stay.
Also, ensure that each stay must not exceed the limit of 90 days.
Premium travel visa
A premium travel visa allows Indians and their families to stay in Mauritius for almost one year. The purpose of the trip could be anything such as tourism, remote work, retirement, etc.
You can apply for a Mauritius premium travel visa online. Whereas the applications for the rest of the visa types for Mauritius should be submitted to the nearest embassy or consulate.
A Mauritius premium travel visa requires you to meet the following additional requirements as well.
- One of the important eligibility points for applicants who want to apply for a premium travel visa is that they cannot work in the labor market of Mauritius. So, the major portion of their income should come from somewhere else.
- You must have valid medical insurance that should cover the entire duration of your stay.
- Lastly, fill out the premium travel visa application form online.
Mauritius Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens
Indian citizens are required to submit the following documents when applying for a Mauritius visa. These are the standard documents that you must attach with the application form irrespective of the visa category.
Passport
Submitting a passport is a vital step that helps the authorities learn about your identity and nationality. This travel document should stay valid for almost six months after your planned departure from Mauritius.
Besides, it should contain two blank pages and be free from any signs of damage or wear/tear.
Photo
Furthermore, the visa process also requires you to submit two recent passport-size photographs for identification purposes. Make sure that they meet the specified requirements including,
- The size of the picture should be 35mm*45mm.
- It must have white or gray as the background color.
- The pictures should not be older than the last three months.
Visa application form
Filling out and submitting the visa application form according to your visa type will help the embassy analyze whether to issue you a visa or not. For this purpose, you can download or get the visa application form from the Embassy of Mauritius in India.
Flight reservation
Another requirement is to submit proof of your flight reservation. This document is required to show that you have genuine intentions of traveling from India to Mauritius and will not waste time at the embassy.
So, the document should include flight details such as,
- Your first and last name
- Travel dates and times
- Departure and arrival airports
- IATA codes
- Airport terminals
Proof of accommodation
Your stay in Mauritius requires you to submit a proof of accommodation document to demonstrate that you will not put a burden on the resources of the target country. Moreover, it also shows that you have managed the place of your residence.
Therefore, you can submit documents such as a hotel reservation or a rental contract for an apartment/house.
You can get these documents from RFV Travels, as we are the leading service providers around the globe.
Travel medical insurance
Although it is not mandatory, Indian citizens are required to have a travel medical insurance policy to avoid any unexpected expenses. For example, this will help you bear costs related to hospitalization, surgery, loss of luggage, flight cancellation, etc.
Cover letter
A cover letter will help you explain your travel plans in detail and from a personal point of view. For instance, you can include details such as the planned set of activities, the tourist destinations, when you will return to your home country, etc.
Proof of financial funds
Lastly, your trip to Mauritius also requires you to demonstrate that you have enough bank balance to support yourself. This may include meeting expenses related to food, accommodation, and transportation.
Therefore, ensure to submit proof of financial means such as a bank statement or a salary slip to the embassy or the relevant officials.
How to Apply for a Mauritius Visa from India?
Two application methods are available for Indians when initiating the Mauritius visa process. One is the online method, which is solely for the premium travel visa.
On the other hand, the rest of the visa types can be applied using the second way, which is the offline method. This article focuses on the offline visa application method.
Where to apply?
| Information | High Commission of Mauritius- New Delhi, Republic of India |
| Office hours | 9.30 AM to 5 PM |
| Timings | 2 PM to 4 PM (Monday to Friday) |
| Address | New Delhi 110021, EP-41 Jesus & Mary Marg Chanakyapuri |
| Website | https://mauritius-newdelhi.govmu.org |
| Telephone | 02091 11 24102161 |
| Fax | 02091 11 24102194 |
| mhcnewdelhi@gmail.com |
Application steps
Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for any type of Mauritius visa.
- The first step requires you to visit the Embassy of Mauritius in India. For this purpose, you must learn the office hours and the physical address. So, go to this website to get yourself updated.
- After that, request them the visa application form or can download it from here.
- Once downloaded, print it and start filling it out by providing the requested information.
- After completing it, submit the form with the rest of the documents at the same embassy.
- In the case of a tourist visa, you are not required to pay the fee. However, the application fee for the rest of the visa types should be submitted.
- Then, wait for their response. Once approved, the embassy will notify you about the date to collect your passport/visa.
Visa Application Fee for Mauritius Visa for Indians
The best part of the Mauritius visas for Indians is that they are easy to get. Moreover, you do not have to break your bank to deposit the application fee.
Surprisingly, the Mauritius visa on arrival is free of cost for Indian citizens. You just have to show the required documents at the port of entry and stay in the country for sixty days. A visa on arrival is used for tourism purposes.
However, this is not the case with the rest of the visa types. So, the fee structure is mentioned below:
| Visa type | Fee in INR |
| Business visa | 5,000 to 10,000 Indian Rupee |
| Work visa | 15,000 to 20,000 INR |
| Premium travel visa | 20,000 to 40,000 Indian Rupee |
| Student visa | 5,000 to 10,000 INR |
Payment methods
Various methods can be adopted depending on the entity through which you apply for a visa. Look at the following details.
- You can make the payment online through a credit/debit card or net banking.
- Bank transfer
- In case of the physical application process, deposit the dues at the nearest embassy or consulate.
Visa Processing Time
Normally, the application process for a Mauritius visa may take almost three to five working days. However, it depends on the visa type, the workload at the embassy, or the relevant visa application center.
Besides, the submission of the documents also affects the normal processing time of your application.
You can also get your visa in less than three days. However, for this purpose, you have to pay additional charges. So, always make sure to apply in advance to avoid any delays.
FAQs
- Can I apply for a Mauritius visa online?
Yes. You can apply for an e-visa online through the official portal of Mauritius Immigration. You will receive your visa via email before leaving your home country. Alternatively, you can also get a visa on arrival from the airport.
- Is it possible for Indians to extend a Mauritius visa?
Yes. Indians can apply for a visa extension by submitting their application to the Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office. For this purpose, make sure to attach certain documents such as passport, application form, photographs, accommodation details, airline ticket, invitation letter, etc.
- Can I convert my tourist visa to a work visa in Mauritius?
Unfortunately, applicants are not entitled to take up employment or enjoy work benefits when traveling to Mauritius on a tourist visa. For this purpose, you must get approval from the relevant authorities to reside and work in Mauritius before leaving your home country.
Read Also: China Visa for Indians