The Indian Ocean paradise, Mauritius has launched a new long-stay visa to cater the growing demand coming from international visitors looking to relocate to the COVID-secure island for work, leisure, or retirement.
The country’s new Premium Visa is valid for one year, with an option to renew, and is open to those who want to relocate to allow them to work remotely, have a long-term second home on the islands or to retire here in 2020, 2021 and beyond.
The Republic of Mauritius government’s new visa offer is in response to strong international demand to relocate to this Indian Ocean country.
Mauritius’ widely acclaimed handling of the global pandemic and implementation of one of the strictest national arrival test regulations in the world made the country a perfect destination for long-term relocations as it offers a COVID-safe environment coupled with economic and political environments and legal stability.
The collective response by the Mauritius government, and the country as a whole, to COVID, means that the country provides an opportunity for long-stay visitors to escape their domestic lockdown restrictions and relocate with the minimum of effort to live and work on COVID-secure islands.
As part of specific investment programs. residents are also allowed to purchase properties such as luxury villas, penthouses, apartments and maisonettes.
Here Is Detail On Visa Eligibility And How To Apply:
The Premium Visa allows for visitors from countries listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Passport Regulations.
The following categories of visitors are eligible:
- Repeat tourists who had planned to retire and migrate to Mauritius before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Retirees seeking a COVID-safe haven.
- Investors and professionals who wish to come with their family and work remotely from Mauritius. They also have the possibility to offer this facility to their staff members.
- Visitors who have children studying in Mauritius.
The visa application is open to all international citizens looking for a longer-term temporary residency solution whilst the world is dealing with the pandemic.
The new Mauritius Premium Visa is valid for one year and can be extended. Applications are now possible via the Economic Development Board (EDB) and from November 15, 2020 via a digital application portal.
However, to qualify for the Premium Visa
- visitors must provide evidence of their long stay plans and must have adequate travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay.
- The visitor’s main place of business and source of income should be outside Mauritius.
- They will not be allowed to enter the Mauritius Labour Market.
- All other entry requirements for Mauritius will also apply.
Before the introduction of the premium visa, foreigners were granted a tourist visa for a cumulative stay of a maximum of 180 days in a calendar year. A tourist visa is usually issued for a short period of vacation travel.
The program is managed by the Economic Development Board and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority. Government agencies work in partnership with the country’s private sector to offer visitors a comprehensive package of services.
MTPA and EDB are launching an international marketing campaign for some of the countries hardest hit by COVID in the winter of 2020/2021 in the northern hemisphere. Citizens of France, Great Britain, Germany, Scandinavia, South Africa, India and Russia have all expressed an interest in moving.
Mauritius has seen a total of 10 deaths from COVID. The last domestic case was on April 26, 2020 and a nationwide lockdown was lifted in late May 2020.
Mauritius has long been a favourite of retirees, primarily from South Africa, France, Germany, United Kingdom and other European countries, looking for a second home that provides world-class leisure facilities, homes and activities that only a larger island destination can provide. The Premium Visa provides this group of visitors the long-term security to relocate and maximise their retirement in a COVID-secure destination.
The Chairman of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Nilen Vencadasmy stated, “Mauritius is welcoming long term visitors who are looking to live and work remotely in a COVID secure location. The Mauritius tourism sector has developed innovative packages to welcome visitors as well as facilitate the work of digital nomads. Our island is COVID-safe and with its modern infrastructure is an ideal spot for them to work remotely and to be part of our wider community”.
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