Lynn Mackenzie, J.D., LLM
Courtesy of Samina Jaffery, Mauritius partner

Mauritius has introduced a Premium Travel Visa on 23 October 2020, valid for a period of one year, renewable, to welcome travellers seeking to experience the island living in a COVID-safe destination.

To qualify for the Premium Visa, interested visitors should produce proof of their long stay plans and sufficient travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay while meeting the following criteria:

i. the applicants should not enter the Mauritius labour market;
ii. the main place of business and source of income and profits should be outside Mauritius;
iii. documentary evidence to support application such as purpose of visit, accommodation etc.; and
iv. other basic immigration requirements.

From a personal taxation perspective, you will have to seek the advice of your tax advisor/ accountant in your current country of residence. This is because, if you have been spending a minimum of 183 days or more in Mauritius during a fiscal year, you will be considered as tax resident in Mauritius as per Clause 73 of the Mauritius Income Tax Act.

All your income and profits will be generated from outside of Mauritius as per the condition of the Premium Visa and therefore it is very much likely that you will already be paying taxes on those income generated outside of Mauritius in their respective source country. However, once you become tax resident in Mauritius after spending 183 days or more in a fiscal year, you will be liable to taxes in Mauritius on your income generated while in Mauritius, unless there are double taxation avoidance treaties in place between your country of residence and Mauritius, in which case, foreign tax credit can be claimed, if conditions are met.
The process is as follows:

• Step 1: Flight and hotel for quarantine pre-booking;
• Step 2: Apply online;
• Step 3: Get your premium visa approval via email after 48 hours;
• Step 4: Book your accommodation for stay in Mauritius;
• Step 5: Travel to Mauritius if PCR Test is negative; and
• Step 6: Comply with the quarantine upon arrival in Mauritius.

There is no processing fee payable to the Authorities in Mauritius for the application and approval of the Premium Visa. We shall be delighted to assist you with your Premium Visa application. Please feel free to get in touch with us via immigration@relocationafrica.com

The documents required are below.

Main applicant:

i. Digital colour passport size photo
ii. Bio-data page of passport
iii. Travel and health insurance
iv. Air ticket, including valid return ticket (including quarantine hotel details in Mauritius)
v. Evidence for pre-booking for accommodation in Mauritius
vi. Proof of monthly income (bank statement / attestation of monthly income)

Dependent spouse:

i. Digital colour passport size photo
ii. Bio-data page of passport
iii. Travel and health insurance
iv. Air ticket, including valid return ticket (including quarantine hotel details in Mauritius)

Dependent child:

i. Digital colour passport size photo
ii. Bio-data page of passport
iii. Travel and health insurance

Air ticket, including valid return ticket (including quarantine hotel details in Mauritius.

 

The content of this article is provided for general information purposes. The provision of this article does not constitute legal advice or opinion of any kind; no advisory or fiduciary relationship is created between Relocation Africa and any other person accessing or using this article. Relocation Africa will not be liable for any damages or loss arising from using any part of this article.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].