The Business Visa Mauritius – Business Set Up in Mauritius
Mauritius is a great destination for entrepreneurs, multinational companies, foreign international companies, fund managers, high net worth individuals, risk capital investors, or individual clients. Setting up a business is quite simple, with a relatively straightforward process.
WHEN WOULD YOU NEED THIS TYPE OF VISA?
Investors, entrepreneurs, professionals who choose to invest,work and live in Mauritius should request for a business visa on arrival.
Investors, entrepreneurs, professionals are eligible for business visa of 120 days in a calendar year and should not stay for more than 90 days on business visa during first arrival.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A BUSINESS VISA FOR MAURITIUS?
In Mauritius, business visas are issued only upon arrival at the airport in Mauritius to visa exempt passport holders. For obtaining the business visa, the traveler should provide the Immigration Officer at the airport in Mauritius with a letter from a local sponsor/company in Mauritius, explaining the traveller’s purpose of his trip to Mauritius and thereby requesting for a business visa to be issued to the traveler on arrival in Mauritius.
Visa restricted passport holders would need to apply for their business visa at the relevant Mauritian Embassy in their country of origin or residence.
AM I ALLOWED TO WORK AND BE RENUMERATED IN MAURITIUS WHILE ON A BUSINESS VISA ?
A Business visa does not allow remunerated work activities to be conducted while in Mauritius. Attending conferences, seminars, training and meetings are the only forms of activities allowed on this visa. A business visa may be issued for up to 120 days per calendar year.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT TOURIST VISA AND BUSINESS VISA
i. Travelers should hold a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months as from date of arrival, a valid return ticket and sufficient funds to meet the costs of their stay in Mauritius.
ii. A person can be in Mauritius on a tourist visa for a maximum of 180 days in a calendar year.
iii. A tourist visa cannot be converted to a business visa in Mauritius. iv. The number of days spent in Mauritius on a tourist visa and business visa are combined for each calendar year. For example: if a person has been on a business visa for 30 days in January 2020, he will then only be eligible to spend either 150 days in the calendar year 2020 on a tourist visa in Mauritius or 90 days on a business visa in Mauritius. The point is that the person cannot exceed 180 days in a calendar year on a tourist and business visa combined.
Eligibility for getting the Business Visa:
In order to be eligible to travel to the country on a visa, you will have to meet the following eligibility criteria.
- Genuine Purpose to be in Mauritius –You must have a valid and good intention behind travelling to the country. You must possess a valid invitation from a genuine company located in the country with whom you are/will be doing business.
- Eligible for expenses – You must possess sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents throughout the stay.
- Reasons to return – You must have strong ties in your home country that will ensure that you will return after your stay.
- Be of good character – You must have a clean criminal track record and be of good character. You may have to provide PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) for the same.
- Be in good health – You must at least meet the minimum health requirements required by the authorities.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR APPLICATION OR ACQUISITION OF THE BUSINESS VISA:
- Passport issued by the country of residence.
- Blank pages in passport to stamp Mauritius business visa.
- Proof of flights tickets.
- Copies in support of accommodation.
- Financial status – bank statements.
- Proposed business plan.
- Details of money to be invested.
- Copies of educational qualification.
- Copies in support of professional expertise.
- Copies in support of your current company – PAN, GST and registration certificate.