Mauritius

Passport validity requirements 

Your passport must:  

• be valid for the duration of your stay 
• have one blank page 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You can visit Mauritius without a visa for up to 60 days. When you arrive, a border official will stamp your passport to show the end-date for your permitted stay.  

You must be able to show proof of onward or return travel.  

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Mauritian government’s entry requirements. 

Digital travel form 

You must fill in the Mauritius All in One travel form online before you arrive. Print out a copy of your completed form with a QR code on it. You’ll need to show the form to officials when you arrive at the airport. If you do not fill in the form before you arrive, you’ll be asked to fill in an immigration disembarkation card at the airport.  

Vaccine requirements 

For details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations see TravelHealthPro’s Mauritius guide.  

Travelling from Reunion Island to Mauritius

On arrival in Mauritius, you may be asked questions about your health and recent travel history.

Health screening

If you travel to Mauritius from a country where malaria is common, border officials may ask you for a blood sample to meet Ministry of Health requirements. If you are not tested at the airport, officials may contact you later during your visit. 

Ebola

As a precautionary measure, Mauritius has introduced entry restrictions in response to the Ebola outbreak:

• Non-Mauritian nationals that have travelled from Democratic Republic of Congo or South Sudan within the preceding 21 days and that do not hold a valid work permit, residence permit, occupation permit, business, or student visa are not allowed to enter Mauritius
• Mauritian nationals, and non-Mauritians holding a valid work permit, residence permit, occupation permit, business visa or student visa who have travelled from, transited through, or been present in Democratic Republic of Congo or South Sudan within the preceding 21 days will be permitted entry but will be subject to a 21-day mandatory quarantine

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Mauritius. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Mauritius. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Emergency services in Mauritius

Ambulance: 999 or 114

Fire: 999 or 115

Police: 999 or 112 

Tourist police

Telephone: 999 or 112  

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding lawyers and funeral directors in Mauritius
• dealing with a death in Mauritius
• Being arrested or imprisoned in Mauritius
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Mauritius on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

Police may occasionally ask to see your ID, such as your passport or driving licence.

Cigarette paper

It’s illegal to possess or import cigarette papers.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Mauritius have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. 

If you are found with any drugs, it’s unlikely you’ll be bailed, regardless of the type of drug. Prosecutions take a year or more to come to court, and you’ll be detained until your trial.

Police investigations

If you’re under police investigation, you’ll be provisionally charged and not allowed to leave the country without consent from a judge. It can take up to 2 years for the authorities to decide whether to issue a formal charge. You’re not allowed to renew your occupation or resident’s permit if you’re provisionally charged with a crime. If you cannot support yourself financially you’ll be kept in prison while the police finish their investigation.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in October 2023. Mauritius is a relatively conservative society and local attitudes to the LGBT+ community vary across the country. LGBT+ people still face discrimination, and verbal and physical confrontation cannot be ruled out. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.