What Documents Are Needed for a Visa on Arrival in Mauritius?

To obtain a tourist visa upon arrival, you’ll need:

• A passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
• Filled in “Mauritius All-In-One Travel Form”, that you can find here: https://safemauritius.govmu.org
• A return or onward flight ticket (not necessarily back to your home country).
• Proof of accommodation with an address (e.g., an Airbnb reservation).

Tips:

• Your accommodation booking doesn’t need to cover the entire stay. We initially booked a place for just one month and explained that we’d travel around the island afterward.
• If you plan to stay longer than the Visa Upon Arrival allows, consider purchasing a flexible flight ticket that allows changes or cancellations

When we passed through immigration, we declared our plan to stay for 60 days, and the officer stamped that duration into our passports.

We later learned that tourist visas can be extended, allowing a total stay of up to 180 days within a calendar year. With 2025 on the horizon, we decided to make the most of this opportunity and extend our time on the island.

Unfortunately, the official government websites in Mauritius provide only basic information about the tourist visa extension, which can make it seem confusing. If you’re facing similar uncertainty, let our experience guide you through the process of extending your stay in Mauritius!

How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Mauritius

Tourist visas in Mauritius can be extended up to a total of 180 days in a calendar year. Here’s the know-how:

When to Apply for a Visa Extension

Don’t wait until the last day of your visa to apply! Visit the immigration office a few days before your visa expires to avoid complications. If your visa expires during the holiday season, remember that Mauritius celebrates various religious holidays. Check the office’s opening hours in advance.

Where to Extend Your Visa

Visa extensions can only be processed in person at the Passport and Immigration Office in Port Louis. You don’t need an appointment.

Address:
Passport & Immigration Office
Sterling House, 9-11 Lislet Geoffroy Street,
Port Louis, Mauritius
Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tV7e7XSnPPs5TkPf7 
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The building is easy to find. Once inside, go to the left-hand room with the ticket machine. On the touchscreen, select “Visa Extension” and take a ticket. Then proceed upstairs to the waiting area, where your number will be called in English.
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Required Documents for a Tourist Visa Extension

1. Completed Application Form - Download the form here or fill it out at the immigration office. Provide basic personal details, your current address in Mauritius, and your departure date. For the reason, simply state “tourism.”
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2. Passport Copy - Include copies of the photo page and the page with your entry stamp.
   
   Note: There is a photocopy shop conveniently located within the building. However, on the day we came to extend our visa, it opened later than usual. Typically, the shop operates from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with a lunch break from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM.
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3. Printed Return Flight Ticket - Your ticket must show a departure date within 180 days of your arrival in Mauritius.
   
   Note: Since we planned to extend our visa again (with our current extension falling just before the end of the calendar year), we opted for an affordable “flexi” ticket (allowing cancellations or date changes) to the neighboring island of La Réunion, a French territory and part of the European Union.
   
   If you’d rather avoid purchasing an expensive flight ticket before confirming your visa extension, you can visit the immigration office ahead of time with a flight reservation and the necessary documents. The officer will review your application and confirm whether you qualify for the requested extension. Once approved, you can proceed to buy your ticket, print the confirmation, and return to finalize the extension process.
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4. Accommodation Proof - A printed copy of a booking confirmation covering the duration of your extension should be sufficient; however, in our case, we coordinated with the landlord of our rented house, who provided us with a copy of the rental agreement (containing both of our details), the latest paid utility bill for water (an electricity bill is also acceptable), and a scanned copy of their passport.
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5. Proof of Financial Means - Submit a bank statement showing the equivalent of $50 USD per day for your extended stay. For a 90-day extension, this means a balance of at least $4,500 USD.
   
   Notes: 
   
   ‍Can one person financially sponsor another for a visa extension in Mauritius?
   
   ‍One person can financially vouch for another for visa extension if you’re applying together. In such cases, submit a written declaration of financial responsibility signed by both parties. You need to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover the stay of both individuals (i.e., 2 × 50 USD per day for the duration of the stay)
   
   ‍Can investment funds or cryptocurrency portfolios be used as financial proof for a visa extension in Mauritius?
   
   ‍No, unfortunately, these are not accepted as valid proof of financial capability.

How Long Does the Process Take?

If all your documents are in order, the immigration officer will process your application immediately, and your visa extension will be granted on the spot.

How Much Does It Cost?

Good news — extending a tourist visa in Mauritius is free of charge!