Mauritius is moving ahead with plans to introduce an electronic travel system for foreign nationals.
First mentioned in recent months, the future system now appears in the 2026-2027 budget documents. In its Budget Speech, the Mauritian government announced the introduction of a digital system allowing all non-citizens to apply for an e-Visa before traveling to Mauritius.
“We will introduce a digital system to enable all non-citizens to apply for an E-Visa prior to travelling to Mauritius and thus reduce queues at the arrival terminal and consolidate national security,” the Mauritian authorities stated.
The official annex to the Budget Speech, which uses more technical language, adopts a different wording. It provides for an amendment to the Immigration Act to “introduce a digital system to allow all non-citizens to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation, against payment of a prescribed fee, prior to travelling to Mauritius.”
This dual wording — e-Visa on one hand, ETA on the other — confirms that Mauritius is preparing a digital formality to be completed before departure. The exact procedures have yet to be published, but the project now appears to be entering a more concrete phase.
An e-Visa/ETA designed to streamline arrival in Mauritius
The budget documents refer to a system intended for non-citizens, a category that, under Mauritian law, refers to people who are not citizens of Mauritius. Strictly interpreted, this could include tourists, business visitors, students, foreign workers, non-Mauritian residents and travelers who are currently visa-exempt.
The final rules will still need to specify which categories are actually covered, whether any exemptions will apply and how the official portal will work in practice.
For French, European, British, American and other travelers who are currently exempt from visa requirements, this development will be worth watching closely. It would not necessarily mean the end of visa-free travel, but rather the addition of an electronic authorization before boarding or arrival in Mauritius.
The Mauritian government presents the future e-Visa/ETA as a tool to modernize international arrivals.
One of the stated goals is to reduce queues in arrival terminals. By collecting certain information before travel, authorities can carry out part of the screening process in advance, rather than only at the immigration counter.
The other objective is national security. Electronic travel authorization systems generally allow governments to better identify travelers before they arrive and to have structured information available before boarding or border control.
Fees still to be clarified
For Mauritius, a destination heavily reliant on international tourism, striking the right balance will be essential. The future system will need to remain simple, fast and easy to understand, so that a destination known for its accessibility does not become associated with an overly burdensome administrative process.
The official annex states that the Electronic Travel Authorisation application will be subject to payment of a prescribed fee. No amount has yet been mentioned in the budget documents reviewed.
This will be one of the most closely watched details for travelers and tourism professionals. The cost of the future authorization, its validity period, the number of entries allowed, processing times and any refund conditions will still need to be clarified by the authorities.
It also remains to be seen whether the future system will replace some existing procedures or be added to the formalities currently required before arrival in Mauritius.
Golden Visa, permits and students: Other visa announcements in the budget
The 2026-2027 budget also includes several measures related to visas, residence permits and Mauritius’ efforts to attract investors, foreign workers and international students.
The government is planning changes to the Golden Visa, aimed at investors who commit to investing at least $1 million in Mauritius within the first 12 months of their stay. Targeted sectors include fintech, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy and other high-value-added activities. Once the investment is made, the holder could become eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit.
Authorities also plan to revise Occupation Permits and adjust several programs linked to economic immigration. In higher education, Mauritius aims to strengthen its appeal to foreign students, including through a centralized “Study in Mauritius” portal, expanded work opportunities during school holidays and post-study visas designed to encourage some graduates to remain in the country.
These measures are not all aimed at the same audience as the future e-Visa/ETA. They do, however, show that Mauritius intends to modernize several parts of its immigration policy, both for short-stay travelers and for economic or academic profiles.
VisasNews Take
Mauritius’ budget confirms a trend that is becoming increasingly visible in travel formalities: tourist destinations are not necessarily closing their doors, but they are increasingly asking travelers to identify themselves before departure. Mauritius appears to be moving in that direction with a future system described as an e-Visa in the budget speech and as an ETA in the official annex.
The issue still deserves close attention, as several points remain to be clarified: the launch date, the official portal, the fee amount, the authorization’s validity period, the nationalities covered and any possible exemptions. For travelers used to entering Mauritius easily, especially those who are currently visa-exempt, much will depend on how simple the future system is and how clearly the authorities communicate the new rules.
