- New one-year Visa
As an initiative to answer to the call of international visitors looking for relocation to a COVID free zone, the Mauritian government is launching a new long stay visa, with a validity of year and with an option to renew. Under this Premium Travel Visa, any non-citizen who may stay in Mauritius for a maximum period of one year as a tourist, retiree or a professional willing to come with his/her family and carry out his business or work remotely from Mauritius. To be granted the Premium Visa, interested parties should produce proof of their long stay plans and adequate travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay while meeting the following standards among other basic immigration requirements:
- the applicants will not be able to enter the Mauritius Labour Market;
- the main place of business and source of income and profits should be outside Mauritius;
- documentary evidence to support application such as purpose of visit, accommodation etc…
* An online platform will soon be made available for the e-Visa application.
- An overview of the Island
Mauritius is a exquisite location that flaunts palm-fringed golden sandy sea shores, beautiful and clean lagoons and an exceptional green scenery. It is 2,000 km off the south-east coast of Africa. The island is surrounded by more than 150 km of white sandy beaches and just off the Mauritian coast lie some 49 uninhabited islands and islets, several of which have been declared natural reserves for endangered species.
Roughly two-thirds of the populace are of Indo-Pakistani origins, one-fourth of Creole (of blended French and African drop), and there are little majorities of of Chinese and Franco-Mauritian descent.
Mauritius has a blended developing economy based on manufactured exports, agriculture, tourism, and financial services. It is home to many financial institutions, including a development bank, offshore banking facilities, and several commercial banks. The Bank of Mauritius is the central bank and issues the country’s currency, the Mauritian rupee.
- Why Mauritius?
Other than the outstanding living climate of a tropical island, at the junction of Asia, Europe and Africa, Mauritius presents for foreign investors critical favorable advantages.
- Political stability and sustained economic growth
The island has effectively changed into an expansive, diversified and innovation-driven economy dependent on agribusiness, export-oriented manufacturing, tourism, financial services, property development & real estate, ICT-BPO, freeport & logistics and seafood. In this viewpoint, the business climate is continually improved with the end goal of reinforcing the island’s position as an alluring investment location.
- Property development facilities
Mauritius offers a quality way of life; a combination of comfort and luxury, modernity with social customs and work with relaxation. A wide scope of modern facilities and amenities are accessible at relatively low costs, involving quality convenience, educational means, medical care and clinical facilities, malls, recreational and sports. As an opportunity to share the vision of Mauritius to global investors, the Mauritian government is offering a range of schemes, like the Smart City scheme which has the aim of creating innovative and sustainable futuristic cities.
- An innovative platform for Investment
Mauritius has forged a strong reputation as an International Financial Centre (IFC) of choice; expanding on its strong financial services sector, and its role for cross-border investments in emerging economies. The country offers several option for investments and cross-border investments through the means of international law firms, corporate services providers, fund managers, global investment and wholesale banks.
- A Multilingual country
In Mauritius nowadays, a high percentage of the population is either bilingual or multilingual, with English and French being the most dominants. However, in the past few years there has been a rise and a growing interest in other languages like Spanish, German, Mandarin and other Oriental languages. This is a plus to the country’s image as it allows for better communication links with different countries. Foreigners wishing to come to Mauritius no longer feel estranged as they share something as personal as universal as a language with the country where they are settling in.
- “COVID-19 free” Country
While countries worldwide are still suffering from the disastrous and devastative effects of the COVID-19, both on population and economies, Mauritius took only five weeks to cut down the COVID infections from a bunch of local cases to zero cases, becoming the first in Africa to contain the infection’s spread, the first case being reported in March. The country has a well-developed healthcare system, with approximately 73% of the services provided by the public sector and the remaining by the private sector. Strict measures were already in effect to detect the spread of the virus long before the Indian Ocean island confirmed its first COVID-19 case and as borders have now been reopened to the world, the measures are still in place and even being intensified.
To assure the on-going well-being of the country, travellers coming to the country, as from November 2020, have to ensure the following:
- A certified negative COVID-19 PCR test, administered between 5 and 7 days before the boarding date;
- 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.
Upon their arrival, all passengers, whether adults or children will have to undergo PCR tests, as well as on the 7th and 14th day of their stay. Should a traveller be tested positive, the individual will immediately be transferred to a public medical institution for treatment. A fee of Rs 13,500 (USD 335) has to be by non-Mauritians (per person) to the hotel of residence to cover for costs incurred by Ministry of Health.
- Conclusion
Mauritius, as previously mentioned, is a notable center for banking, financial and legal services with foundation created to support the needs and requirements of worldwide business and an enormous international professional services network. Mauritius as of now gives world-class connectivity, banking, office space and different business facilities, implying that Premium Visa holders can flawlessly move their business operations to the country. Mauritius provides a fully operational Indian Ocean base in a time zone ideal for working remotely with Europe, Asia, Africa and Middle East and is a perfect base for remote workers and digital nomads.
