Mauritius has introduced a new Premium Visa, valid for a period of one year and renewable. This measure was announced by Cabinet on 23 October to encourage visitors to head to Mauritius for long stays.

This measure can be a lifeline for the travel and tourism sector amidst global travel disruptions following the outbreak of COVID-19. It is an opportunity for operators of the Mauritius tourism sector to come up with innovative packages to attract visitors as well as digital nomads. The island is COVID-safe and with its modern infrastructure would be an ideal spot for them to work remotely.

The Premium Visa is designed for long-stay visitors from countries listed in the Eighth Schedule of Passport Regulations including:

• 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.
• Family visitors who have children studying in Mauritius.

In order 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 as they will not be entitled to enter the Mauritius Labour Market. All other entry requirements for Mauritius will also apply.

Meanwhile, The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has launched the #MauritiusNow campaign that aims to restore the image of Mauritius as a prime destination in the wake of the announcement of a phased reopening of the island’s borders.

In addition to safeguarding Mauritius’s brand positioning in global markets, the campaign has been designed to boost the image of Mauritius and restore confidence in the aftermath of the recent oil spill incident which affected 4% of the island.

As ‘seeing is believing’, the campaign uses engaging visuals to remind the world that the island remains a prime tourist destination with pristine lagoons, lush vegetation and a welcoming local community.