Mauritius is a beautiful, temperate country located in East Africa. It is one of the most visited countries in the world. With the rise of remote work, lots of professionals and service providers now have the privilege of working from wherever they desire through the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa.
To accommodate the travel needs of digital nomads, the Mauritian government made room for the digital nomad visa. If you are a digital nomad with the desire to live in Mauritius for a short period, you can easily apply for the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa. However, you would still need to fulfil certain protocols and this article will walk you through the process involved.
Background of the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa
This digital nomad visa was launched by the Mauritian government in 2021, making this country one of the first in Africa to offer such a program. The visa was specially created to attract remote workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs who can work remotely. This will by extension benefit the economy and promote its growth.
Benefits of the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa
Mauritius is a wonderful country and there are plenty of benefits that comes with being able to live here with the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa. Some of these benefits include:
a. Work and live in a tranquil environment:
Mauritius offers a serene environment with its turquoise waters, fine beaches, and green landscapes. Digital nomads get to enjoy a high living standard while enjoying the beauty of the environment.
b. Safety and security:
Mauritius is a safe country and has a low crime rate. It is also known for its political stability, ensuring a safe and secure environment for digital nomads and their families.
c. Cultural diversity:
This nation is home to many cultures hence it has a rich cultural history. The cultures are a blend of African, Indian, European, and Chinese cultures. This makes the stay here worthwhile as you will be exposed to a variety of cultures.
d. Quality infrastructure:
Mauritius offers a reliable and efficient infrastructure. It has a great telecommunications network, high-speed internet connectivity, and modern amenities necessary for remote work.
e. Tax benefits:
Taxes in Mauritius are quite lenient. With the Mauritius Digital nomad visa, you get to enjoy the favorable tax polices as well as exemption from income tax in cases where the income comes from a foreign source.
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Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must meet certain criteria:
a. Age
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
b. Employment:
Applicants must be employed or self-employed with an active job, gig or contract with a company registered outside of Mauritius. Nevertheless, freelancers and business owners can bypass this if they can show proof of work history and potential for ongoing work.
c. Proof of income:
Applicants must be earning a minimum amount to be considered for this visa. Moreover, the income threshold is set by the government and it’s typically a reasonable amount to cover for living expenses.
d. Health insurance:
You would also need to provide your health insurance coverage. It has to be valid and cover your entire duration of stay in Mauritius.
e. Accommodation:
It is also expected of digital nomads to have their accommodation booked and sorted out to cover the stay period.
Application Process
There are several steps involved in the application process for the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa. These steps include:
a. Complete the application form:
Applicants must obtain the form and fill it, providing their personal details and professional or business information.
b. Compile necessary documents:
The documents required, like a valid passport, proof of income, proof of employment, proof of accommodation, proof of health insurance coverage, and passport-sized photographs, must be submitted along with the form.
c. Submit the application:
The application must be submitted along with all the other documents required to the authorities in charge.
d. Visa processing:
After the application has been submitted, it will undergo processing. During this time, background checks are done and the documents provided are verified. The duration for the processing takes around two weeks.
e. Visa approval:
If the application is approved, the applicant will be offered the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa which will let them live and also work in Mauritius for a given period.
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Living and Working in Mauritius
After getting the visa, digital nomads must plan ahead of their trip and how to settle into the environment. Here are some things to note while living and working in Mauritius.
a. Accommodation:
There are lots of accommodation options in Mauritius. Notably, they range from accommodations at luxury resorts and beachfront villas to other more affordable apartments and co-living spaces. Digital nomads can make a choice that suits them based on unique preferences and budget.
b. Cost of living:
The cost of living in Mauritius depends on the kind of lifestyle you would be maintaining. For instance when it comes to accommodation, there are very expensive options and relatively affordable options. Living in Mauritius is not so expensive when compared to other famous digital nomad destinations.
c. Internet connectivity:
Mauritius has a reliable and fast internet infrastructure, which is essential for remote work. Most accommodations, co-working spaces, and cafes offer high-speed internet connections, hence guaranteeing disturbance free work environments.
d. Co-working spaces:
Some digital nomads prefer to do their work from working spaces instead of at home. This would mean renting a co-working space. The good news is that Mauritius has a good number of co-working spaces that offer convenience for distraction-free work.
e. Recreational activities:
Asides working, digital nomads would like to relax and have fun too doing recreational activities. In fact, recreational opportunities is the reason many digital nomads pick Mauritius. There are plenty of water sites for sports like diving, sailing as well as snorkeling. There are also good places for hiking and sight seeing.
f. Community and networking:
Mauritius has a welcoming and diverse community. The community consists of expatriates, entrepreneurs, and, unquestionably digital nomads. There are plenty of networking events, meetups, and other social events that facilitate connections and foster collaboration.
g. Healthcare:
The healthcare system in Mauritius is well-developed with modern facilities and well trained medical professionals. With health insurance coverage, digital nomads can access these medical services during their stay.
h. Visa extension and renewal:
There is a fixed duration for the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa, often between six months and a year. However, digital nomads can apply for extension of stay if they desire.
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Conclusion
The Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa opens up a world of opportunities for remote workers looking to work and enjoy the tropical environment. Additionally, with its favorable tax policies, low crime rate, cultural diversity, and quality infrastructure, Mauritius is a go-to destination for travel-loving digital nomads.
