The Best Visas for Attending a Conference in Mauritius

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. 

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:

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. 

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: 

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: 

• 7 reasons why Mauritius is great for event travel
• The best conference venues in Mauritius
• The best small event venues in Mauritius