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Written by : Heba Abdel Fattah
Mauritius is one of the most beautiful islands located in the Indian Ocean. This small island is located in the sea between Africa and Asia, but it is considered an African island, and it is considered one of the bluest waters in the world, and enjoys white sandy beaches, Mauritius is definitely a dream destination for digital nomads, while Many countries are allowed to stay as tourists for six months, the new digital nomad visa extends that time.
The Mauritius digital nomad visa, also known as the premium visa, allows remote workers to live in the country for one year. Mauritius has announced the premium travel visa, which targets digital nomads who want to work remotely in Mauritius.
This visa is not only for digital nomads but also for travellers, retirees and other professionals, including their family members, who will be entitled to reside in Mauritius for one year with the possibility of renewal.
Types of Mauritius digital visas for Bedouins
The island of Mauritius offers a dedicated visa for digital travelers, that visa is called Premium Travel Visa, but currently the premium travel visa is available only in 114 countries only, however, the Economic Development Board advises citizens of other countries to apply for a tourist visa and then apply for a travel visa featured during their visit.
The Mauritius government has introduced the Premium Travel Visa to encourage long-term visits. This visa is available to digital nomads, retirees, long-term tourists and other professionals as well as all their family members.
This visa will give them one year in Mauritius, in addition to that they will be able to go back from the country if they want, in addition to that, they will get the opportunity to renew the visa once the year is over.
Also, you will not be taxed for up to six months as a Digital Nomad living in Mauritius under the Premium Travel Visa, however, you will be considered a tax resident after 183 days of your stay. You will remain a tax resident in your home country for the duration of your stay, unless you bring in money. foreigner in an account in Mauritius for a period of more than 183 days, such funds will be taxable by Mauritius,
In addition to that, the premium travel visa will not charge a visa fee, and the approval must be done within 48 hours, but in fact it may take up to 8 weeks to obtain this visa, so it is more likely to request the services of an agent because it will be useful to follow up the application with the authorities The visa application process is straightforward, everything is done online and it only takes two minutes to fill out the application.
In order to be able to apply for the Premium Travel Visa, you will need to complete the application online and provide a valid passport, return ticket, proof of residence, health and travel insurance, as well as proof of income, which must be a monthly limit of $1,500, in order to qualify for the visa. Tourist visa.
But if you are not eligible for the Premium Travel Visa due to your country of residence, then you can apply for a Tourist Visa which once you get it in Mauritius, you will be allowed to apply for the Premium Travel Visa.
You must know that most countries do not require a visa to enter Mauritius, so a tourist visa allows you to visit Mauritius for up to six months.
So, in order to apply for a tourist visa, you will need to submit your application online. You must also have a valid passport, a valid return ticket, confirmation of accommodation, and enough funds to cover your accommodation costs around $100 per night.
The tourist visa is free of charge, and you will receive approval within five working days.
Best Mauritius visa for digital nomads
The best visa for digital nomads who want to live in Mauritius is the Premium Travel Visa, this visa is specially designed for digital nomads and other working professionals as it will cater to all their needs.
Who can get a Mauritius Digital Nomad visa?
Currently, there are 114 countries that are eligible to apply for the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa. Some of the countries are:
Argentina – Australia – Belgium – Brazil – Canada – China – Denmark – Egypt – Finland – France –Germany – India- Ireland – Italia – Japan – Mexico – New Zealand – Paraguay – Portugal – Russia – Singapore – South Africa – Spain – Switzerland – The United Arab Emirates – United kingdom – United States of America
If you are a US citizen
You are eligible to apply for the Premium Travel Visa, as you must fill out the online application, submit all documents, and have a monthly income of $1,500.
And if you are a citizen of the European Union
You are eligible to apply for the Premium Travel Visa, and you must also fill out the online application, submit all documents, and have a monthly income of at least $1,500.
Or if you are a US Green Card holder , You will also be eligible for a Mauritius Premium Visa on the same terms as US citizens.
The same applies if you are a citizen of Canada, Australia or New Zealand
Then you will be eligible for the Premium Travel Visa in Mauritius.
Just like the citizens of the United States and the European Union.
As for if you reside in any other country , You may also be eligible for a digital backpacker Mauritius visa, but you must check the list of eligible countries, if your country is not in the list, you can apply for a tourist visa, and then apply for the premium visa once you arrive in Mauritius.
Requirements for the distinguished travel visa in Mauritius
You must first make sure that you are eligible for a Mauritian Nomad visa.
Therefore, you must:
Be a citizen of one of the 114 eligible countries.
There you have proof of your long stay plans.
Have sufficient travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay.
You must not enter the labor market in Mauritius.
Your main place of business or source of income and earnings must be outside Mauritius.
Have documented evidence to support the application, such as purpose of visit, and accommodation.
You must have a monthly income of at least $1,500.
Proof of wife and children.
Have a valid passport with a copy of it.
You must have a copy of your flight ticket.
Document requirements for paying taxes in Mauritius
The money that you will spend in Mauritius through the use of credit cards will not be taxed but you will become a tax resident if you spend 183 days in the country, therefore, you will be subject to tax in Mauritius.
Once you are considered a tax resident of Mauritius, you will be taxed on your worldwide income, which comes to you from outside Mauritius on a remittance basis only if the money is brought in and deposited into a bank account in Mauritius, otherwise, you remain tax resident in your home country.
Mauritius Bank Account Requirements
As a foreigner, you are allowed to open a bank account in Mauritius, as many banks offer accounts in foreign currencies, such as Euros or Dollars.
To open a bank account in Mauritius, all that is required of you is the following documents:
Original and copy of a valid passport
Original and copy of proof of residence in your home country
Bank reference from the country of origin indicating that the account is well managed and does not contain any errors.
CV with your professional status.
Proof of financial self-sufficiency
When applying for the Premium Travel Visa, you will need to show proof of self-sufficiency, i.e. any documents showing that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family during your stay in Mauritius.
If you are traveling alone, you must prove that you earn at least $1,500 per month, but if your family is with you, you will need an additional $500 for each individual under the age of 24, and if you are applying as a couple, you will need $3,000 per month.
So you can submit various documents to prove that you are financially self-sufficient.
But if you are retired, proof of stable income from pension or investments is required,
And if you are a remote worker, you must prove an employment contract, and it is best to prove your income and bank statements for the previous six months.
If you are self-employed, a business registration certificate and bank statements from the previous six months are required.
If you are a freelancer, you must have bank statements from the previous six months and evidence of significant savings, equivalent to one year’s income of $18,000 on one foreign account in your name.
Proof of residence
To obtain a visa for Mauritius, you need to show proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay. Acceptable evidence includes a rental agreement, Airbnb or hotel reservation, or a letter from someone who will provide you with accommodation in Mauritius.
Full health insurance
Mauritius requires that all digital nomad visa applicants have health insurance designed for digital nomads and remote workers living abroad.
A clean criminal record
The Premium visa application does not specify that you need proof of a criminal record, but you should bear in mind that proof of a clean criminal record is required for most long-term visa applications in most countries.
Be sure to obtain your criminal record before applying as it may be requested after you submit your application. The process for obtaining your criminal record will vary depending on your country of origin, but make sure you are issued with a certificate verifying your status for the past three months.
Minimum residency requirement
Living in Mauritius under the Premium Travel Visa will allow you to stay in the country for a full year. This visa is a multiple entry visa. What is meant is that you can go and come back at any time as you want. There is no minimum residency requirement for the Premium Travel Visa.
How to apply for Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa
The Digital Nomad visa application process is very easy. Everything is created online
1 – Obtain all necessary documents
Before submitting your application, gather all the necessary documents, but you should keep in mind that any documents issued by a country outside the European Union must be officially legalized by the Apostille of the issuing country for use in another country.
Also, documents must be accepted in both English and French, so make sure that foreign language documents are officially translated.
The list of documents you will need are:
A valid passport with a copy thereof.
Passport size photos
A copy of the return ticket
Proof of income
Proof of remote work
Travel document and health insurance
Mauritius accommodation address
Marriage certificate or birth certificates for children
2 – Fill out the application form
The application must be filled out online.
3 – Submit your documents
Ensure that all documents are digital so that you can upload them during your application.
4 – Wait for approval
Filling out the online application should not take more than ten minutes, as it will take from a few days to a few weeks to process applications from Monday to Friday, applications submitted over the weekend will start processing on the next business day, visa delivery may take a few more weeks, With a total timeline of about 2 to 8 weeks before obtaining your visa, you will receive your visa via email.
Taxes for the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa
Income taxes for companies and individuals are set at 15%. Value Added Tax (VAT) is levied at the rate of 15%, land transfer tax is levied at 5%, and stamp duty is levied on various documents in the amount of RM25 to RM1000 (0.55 to 21.98 USD).
Is the Mauritius digital visa rejected?
It is rare for a Premium Travel Visa to be refused as the digital nomad visa for Mauritius is open to many countries, and the application process is straightforward.
If your application is rejected, it may be because some of your documents are not correct, but you do not need to worry, as you can re-apply and submit the correct documents.
Living in Mauritius as a digital nomad
The country is known for its vibrant culture, amazing history, sugar and textile industries, stunning lagoons and gorgeous beaches, and since you are a digital nomad living in Mauritius, it will be available for you to enjoy all these things.
Mauritius is a great place for digital Nomads , and you will get all the basics from good internet access, comfortable and affordable accommodation, as well as cheap and tasty food.
But most importantly, Mauritius is a very interesting and exciting place to live in, and since Mauritius has a colonial history, the people there speak English and French, but you will find that the most widely spoken language is Mauritian Creole.
Living in Mauritius is affordable, as the cost of living is very low, especially if you are used to the cost of living in the United States or European Union countries, and you will not have any problems finding a place to stay, as well as the locals are very friendly, so you will be able to get quickly made good friends.
