Global Business Update – 46 : The new Premium Travel Visa for long stays
Introduction
As per official data communicated by the Government of Mauritius, no new Covid-19 cases through local transmission have been detected in Mauritius since 26 April 2020.
The international borders have reopened since 1 October 2020 and any person may now travel to Mauritius subject to agreeing to undergo a period of quarantine in a government-approved hotel on a full board basis for 14 days on arrival and to agreeing to the prevailing travel protocol (see below). Air and hotel bookings should strictly be done on the MTPA online reservation platform (booking.mymauritius.travel).
To promote travels to Mauritius, the Government of Mauritius has introduced a new long-term visa, the Premium Travel Visa, on 23 October 2020 which will be valid for a period of one year, renewable.
Eligibility for the premium Travel Visa
- Non-citizen who intends to stay in Mauritius for a maximum period of one year as a tourist;
- Retirees, investors or Professionals willing to come with their family and carry out their business or work remotely from Mauritius.
- Visitors who wish to spend time with their children who are studying in Mauritius; and
- Non-citizens listed in the Eight schedule of the passport regulations.
Conditions
- Interested visitors should produce proof of their long stay plans and sufficient travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay;
- The applicants must not enter the Mauritius labour markets;
- The main place of business and source of income and profits must be outside Mauritius;
- Documentary evidence to support application i.e purpose of visit, accommodation etc; and
- Other basic immigration requirements.
How to apply for the Visa
The e-visa application may be submitted as from 16 November 2020. An online platform for the e-Visa application is available on the EDB platform.
Tax implications
The long stay visa may cause a visitor to become tax resident in Mauritius under the physical presence test for residence. A person who has been present in Mauritius in an income year, for a period of, or an aggregate period of, 183 days or more qualifies as a resident. Mauritius source income may be subject to taxation at the rate of 15%. Mauritius taxes on remittance basis so foreign income of resident individuals are only taxable in Mauritius if such income is remitted to Mauritius.
Holders of passport of the following countries as listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Passport Regulations would be eligible for the Premium Visa:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Congo (former Congo Brazzaville), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region), Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Republic of South), Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macau (Special Administrative Region), Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion Island, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Vanuatu, Vatican, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Mauritius Travel Protocol
All prospective passengers (including children and infants) travelling to Mauritius for the month of October 2020 must possess the following documents:
- A certificate of a negative COVID – 19 PCR test administered not more than 7 days prior to the date of boarding at the last point of embarkation;
- Any arriving passenger will have to undergo PCR tests on day of arrival, day 7 and day 14 following arrival in Mauritius;
- If a PCR test reveals that a person is COVID-19 positive, he shall be transferred to a public medical institution for treatment.
- A valid air ticket to Mauritius;
- Proof of purchase of a travel package including accommodation, on a full board basis, at a designated hotel for a mandatory 14-day in-room quarantine; and
- Incoming passengers to Mauritius must download and fill their Public Health Covid-19 Passenger Health Self-Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Form which must be handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness counters upon their arrival.