The Best Visas for Attending a Conference in Mauritius

July 9, 2024

by Sofeeyah Lloyd & Salil Gokulsing

If you’re hosting an international conference or event in Mauritius, you’ll benefit from the country’s open approach to tourist and business travelers. Most of your attendees should be granted a visa exemption or visa on arrival – significantly reducing the logistics and overhead involved. 

But like every country, Mauritius’s visa rules have some nuances. 

So, in this quick guide, we’ll break down every visa available for conference attendees and how they apply to citizens from countries across the globe. 

If you still need help after reading, get in touch. Our local team in Mauritius has helped process countless visa applications over the years. There’s no scenario they haven’t experienced or obstacles they can’t overcome!

 

Quick Tips For Mauritius Visas

  • Citizens of many countries can enter Mauritius without a visa for 14 to 60 days.
  • Ensure your passport is valid six months after you depart from Mauritius.
  • If you are planning to stay in Mauritius for longer than 60 days, you must apply for a visa in advance.
  • No fees are charged for the issuance of visas and extensions of stay.
  • Visa processing times vary, so starting the application process well before your travel date is important.

 

What Type of Visa Will Your International Event Participants Need for Mauritius? 

Mauritius has one of Africa’s most favorable visa regimes in Africa, especially for conference and business travel. Citizens of most countries can enter visa-free for up to 60 days, and there are many easy-to-apply visa options for those not exempted. 

In the following sections, I’ll review the most common visa options for people traveling to Mauritius to attend a conference. 

 
Visa Exemption

Citizens of most countries can travel to Mauritius visa-free for up to 60 days. 

The visa exemption is granted on arrival at any Mauritian port of entry (i.e., the airport), and very little paperwork is needed. Anyone applying for a visa exemption needs to provide the following: 

  • A passport valid for up to 6 months
  • A return or onward ticket
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay.

 

The visa exemption is offered to every European Union member state and 78 other countries on every continent. 

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina 

Australia

Bahamas

Bahrain

Barbados

Belize

Benin 

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei Darussalam

Burundi

Canada

Cape Verde

Chad

Chile

China

Congo (Brazzaville)

Democratic Rep. of Congo

Dominica

Egypt

European Union

Fiji

Gabon

Gambia

Georgia

Ghana

Grenada

Hong Kong

Iceland

India

Israel

Jamaica

Japan

Kenya

Kiribati

Korea (South Republic)

Kuwait

Latvia

Lesotho

Liechtenstein

Luxemburg

Macau SAR

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mexico

Monaco

Mozambique

Namibia

Nauru

New Zealand

Norway

Oman

Papua New Guinea

Paraguay

Qatar

Rwanda

Russia

Samoa (Western)

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

South Africa

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent & Grenadines

Suriname

Swaziland

Switzerland

Tanzania

Tonga

Trinidad & Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Tuvalu

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States of America

Vanuatu

Vatican

Zambia

Zimbabwe

   
 
Visa on Arrival

The visa on arrival (VoA) is offered at every port of entry to Mauritius for up to 60 days. 

Citizens of the following countries will be granted a VoA:

Albania

Algeria

Andorra

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Belarus

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Cambodia

Cameroon

Colombia

Comoros

Central African Republic

Costa Rica

Côte D’Ivoire

Cuba

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Guatemala

Haiti

Honduras

Indonesia

Iran 

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan Rep.

Lebanon

Liberia

Macedonia

Madagascar 

Mauritania

Marshall Island

Micronesia

Moldova

Mongolia

Morocco

Myanmar

Nepal

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Palau

Panama

Peru

Philippines

Sao Tome & Principe

Senegal

Serbia

Sri Lanka

Tajikistan

Taiwan

Thailand

Timor Leste

Togo

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

Uruguay

Venezuela

Vietnam

Yugoslavia

  
 
Tourist Visa (Prior Application)

A regular tourist visa is issued and granted to tourists who wish to spend a short period of vacation or travel in the country without the business activities authorized by this visa.

Citizens of the following countries must apply for a Mauritius tourist visa in advance to attend a conference here. 

They can apply via mail or at their nearest Mauritian embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission. 

Bangladesh

Iraq

Korea (North)

Laos

Libya

Mali

Pakistan

Palestinian State

Saharawi Republic

Somalia

Sudan

South Sudan

Syria

Yemen

  
 
Business Visa

The Business visa is designed for non-citizens intending to travel to Mauritius for business or investment ventures. This visa caters to the specific needs of individuals engaged in business activities, offering them the flexibility required.

Business travelers can stay for a maximum of 120 days in a calendar year, with each trip limited to 90 days. Anyone under this visa category should refrain from receiving any remuneration in Mauritius during their stay.

 

How to Apply for a Visa to Mauritius 

Mauritius doesn’t have a dedicated online portal for visa applications, as only a few people need to apply in advance. 

However, this means the process is inefficient and lengthy for those who must apply. 

 
Applying to a Diplomatic Mission of Mauritius

Anyone can apply for a visa to Mauritius at their nearest diplomatic mission, consulate, or embassy. If an in-person application is not possible, it can be done via email to this address: “piovisa@govmu.org

 

Mauritius has diplomatic missions in the following locations: 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Antananarivo, Madagascar

Bei​jing, China

Berlin, Germany

Brussels, Belgium

Cairo, Egypt

Canberra, Australia

Geneva, Switzerland

Islamabad, Pakistan

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

London, United Kingdom

Maputo, Mozambique

Moscow, Russia

M​umbai, India

​New Delhi, India

​New York, United States of America, 

Paris, France

Pretoria, South Africa

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates​​, Dubai

Washington, D.C.​, United States of America

 

 

Applying upon Arrival

The VoA will be issued to anyone eligible upon arrival in Mauritius. The process is straightforward, but to guarantee a smooth experience, everyone should follow these steps:

  • Arrive at your departure airport well before your flight departure time.
  • Have all of your documentation ready and organized.
  • Be ready to respond to inquiries regarding the reason and length of your stay.
  • Be polite and respectful to all immigration officials.

 

Avoiding Scam Visa Websites

Fraudulent visa websites issue fake visas for Mauritius or charge exorbitant processing fees to applicants. 

To avoid these, ensure every attendee at your conference understands the rules specific to their nationality or citizenship.  

If you need assistance with visa applications for your conference, we can help. We have years of experience navigating Mauritius immigration procedures for conferences and events. We’ll guide you through every step of the process and ensure no one gets refused entry. 

Get in touch.

 

Requirements for entry into Mauritius

A visa doesn’t automatically ensure entry into Mauritius; Anyone visiting must fulfill additional entry requirements.

 
Passport Validity

To enter or leave Mauritius, individuals must present a valid passport issued by their country of nationality or citizenship. Alternatively, another government document designed for travel and confirming the person’s nationality, citizenship, and identity must be provided to the satisfaction of the Passport Officer.

When planning a visit to Mauritius, ensure that your passport remains valid for at least six months beyond your entry date. Additionally, having at least one blank page in your passport is necessary for entry.

 

Visa

All visitors to Mauritius need a valid visa. Nationals from visa-exempt countries are allowed stays ranging from 14 to 60 days. Others must apply for a visa in advance at a Mauritius embassy or consulate in their home country. 

Visitors should also have enough money to cover basic expenses like food, accommodation, and transportation.

 
Health

Ensure you’ve had recommended routine vaccinations and boosters according to international guidelines, including important ones like Yellow Fever, MMR, and the combined diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccines. 

Individuals at higher risk for infectious diseases due to their job, lifestyle, or health conditions should stay current with extra recommended vaccines.

Travelers to Mauritius don’t need a negative PCR test before flying. While COVID-19 insurance is no longer mandatory, it’s still recommended.

Upon arrival in Mauritius, no testing or self-isolation is required, but filling out the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Form beforehand is recommended.

 

Invitation Letter

Mauritius requires an invitation letter for business visas. The invitation letter must be from a company or organization in Mauritius that you plan to visit. It should state the purpose of your visit, the dates of your stay, and who will cover your expenses.

Make sure the invitation letter is on the company’s letterhead, signed by an authorized representative, and includes the company’s contact information, address, phone number, and email.

 

Return or Onward Ticket

Mauritius mandates that all visitors, irrespective of nationality or visa status, must possess an onward or return ticket. This requirement ensures visitors have the necessary arrangements to depart Mauritius at the end of their stay.

Onward or return tickets should remain valid for the entire duration of your participants’ stays in Mauritius, plus an extra day, and must be issued by a reputable airline or ferry company. Failure to present this ticket upon arrival may result in a denial of entry to Mauritius.

 

Accommodation

Proof of accommodation can be in the form of a hotel reservation, rental agreement, or an invitation letter from a friend or family member. Be prepared to present this proof at the airport upon your arrival in Mauritius.

 

Need Help Applying for a Mauritius Conference Visa?

Our Mauritius experts specialize in making event planning easy and enjoyable, contact us. We go beyond just visas, offering assistance with venue selection, transportation, and entertainment. 

Whatever you need, a quick email is all it takes to get started. We’re here to make your event in Mauritius stress-free and memorable.

If you’re visiting Mauritius for an event or conference, check out our other blogs on: 

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