Mauritius Plans Mandatory Paid e-Visa/ETA for All Non-Citizens by 2027

Mauritius is preparing to require every non-citizen to obtain electronic authorization before boarding a flight to the island. The measure is written into the country's 2026-2027 Budget, with officials targeting full implementation by 2027. It is not yet in force.

What changed

The government has committed to a mandatory pre-travel clearance system for all non-citizens. The budget speech refers to it as an e-Visa, while the accompanying annex calls it an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and confirms an amendment to the Immigration Act is needed before it can operate.

Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam said the platform will "enable non-citizens from all countries to apply for and obtain an electronic visa," pointing to border security and shorter arrival queues as the motivation. Crucially, the annex confirms a "prescribed fee" will apply, though no amount has been published and draft regulations are not yet available.

How entry works today

Right now, most visitors to Mauritius are either visa-exempt or receive a visa on arrival, while a shorter list of nationalities must apply in advance. Separately, every foreign traveler must complete the free Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form within 72 hours of arrival, which generates a QR code for the border.

The new e-Visa/ETA would add a third, pre-boarding step for everyone who isn't Mauritian. The digital form itself stays free and separate.

What it means for nomads

The rule is written to cover "all non-citizens" : workers, tourists, and business travelers alike. That means remote workers and visa-free visitors who currently just fill in the digital form on arrival would eventually need an approved, paid authorization before they fly. Visa-required nationals would shift their applications into the same online portal instead of embassies or airport counters.

The broad wording also appears to include expats already living on the island , holders of occupation permits, residence permits, work permits, plus students and foreign workers. Whether long-term permit holders will get an exemption or automatic linked clearance has not been decided, and the draft regulations remain unpublished.

What to do now

Nothing needs to change yet. Until the portal goes live and the Immigration Act amendment passes, the existing rules plus the free 72-hour digital form remain the only requirement. Anyone booking travel through the rest of 2026 should plan on that basis and watch for an official go-live notice ahead of any 2027 trip.

Nomads scoping a longer stay should factor in a likely new recurring fee on top of existing permit costs. The exact charge, and any exemptions for residents, will only become clear once Mauritius publishes its fee schedule and final regulations.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.